Copyright © 2024 Discover. All rights reserved

All views, information or opinions expressed in Discover Brighton are solely those of individuals involved and do not represent the opinions of any entity whatsoever, including the businesses mentioned within this publication and those to which are affected.

Record Store Day

28 Mar, 2024

At the tender age of 14 years old I bought my first album, ‘Lizard’ by King Crimson from a local independent record shop, Left Bank, in Exeter.  I spent an inordinate amount of my teenage years flipping through 100s of vinyl albums. Sometimes I’d take a potential purchase to the counter and ask for it to be played in the shop’s booth. It was a delightful oasis of music of every genre. 

It originally opened, plus coffee bar, in 1963 by Richard Wilson prompted by an idea from his wife Charlotte and was still running at least 20 years later. “We opened only a few months after the release of the first Beatles’ single and just before their first LP but the biggest seller, by some way, was Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters which topped 600”.

Although many independent record shops have bitten the dust, like Left Bank, Record Store Day first started in 2007 when a gathering of record shop owners came together in the US to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture of record stores.

The first official event took place on April 19th, 2008, and today it is celebrated by thousands of record shops all over the globe in what’s become the biggest new music event of the past decade.

Record Store Day is a day for the people who make up the world of the record shop – the staff, the customers, the artists, the labels – to come together and honour the special role they place in their local communities. In the UK, over 270 shops participate in every corner of the country. 2024’s Record Store Day Ambassador is Kate Bush who joins an illustrious list of artists including Taylor Swift, Elton John, Noel Gallagher and the 1975.

“What a huge honour to have been asked to be Ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day. It really is a great privilege” Kate Bush. 

Special vinyl releases are made exclusively for the day and many shops and cities host artist performances and events to mark the occasion.

Multi-Platinum singer-songwriters Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahan team up on a special live recording of Olivia Rodrigo ‘Stick Season’/Noah Kahan ‘Lacy’ on BBC Radio 1 that will be available in participating independent record stores.

Support your local record shop or lose it! 

The Vinyl Curtain, 47a St James’ Street. Resident Music, 27-28 Kensington Gardens. Rarekind Records, 104 Trafalgar Street. Bella Union Vinyl Shop, 25 Church Street. Cult Hero, 16 Brighton Place. Family Store Records & Gallery, 74 North Road. The Record Album, 8 Terminus Road.

Words: Kairen Kemp

Steven Graham
Author: Steven Graham

Related Articles

Royal palace set to show its true colours

Discover the colours that made history this spring at the Royal Pavilion's immersive COLOUR exhibition in Brighton. The Royal Pavilion, managed by Brighton &Hove Museums, is set to show its true colours this spring as the Regency palace opens a vibrant new...

Ben Sherman SS25 Signature Collection

Ben Sherman SS25 Signature Collection: Brighton to Amalfi Step into the vibrant journey of Ben Sherman’s SS25 Signature Collection, "Brighton to Amalfi," where the essence of Brighton Beach seamlessly blends with the timeless charm of the Italian Riviera. Drawing...

Mounjaro – A Kickstart For Those Who Need It Most?

Brighton is a hub for health and fitness, but for some, the journey to wellness feels like an impossible uphill climb. For those dealing with severe health issues, addictive tendencies, or physical limitations, even starting can feel overwhelming, Trust me, I know...

Picture You Dead / Cast Interview

Peter James’ latest novel Picture You Dead has become a play which is coming to Theatre Royal in March. Kairen Kemp chatted to two of the cast members: Peter Ash and Fiona Wade. Peter, you’re playing David Hegarty. Now I know that Peter James based him, on David...

Hempwell / The UKs Most Trusted CBD Shop

Situated in the heart of the North Laine in Kensington Gardens, Brighton, you will find Hempwell, your one-stop-shop for all things CBD related.  Founded in 2017, the flagship store is located in York and what sets Hempwell apart from other CBD outlets, is the fact...

Valentine’s / Gifts & Unique Date Ideas

Bored of doing the same things on Valentine’s Day? We’ve scoured the city and the internet to find you some unique date and gift ideas to help make this one memorable for all the right reasons. Needle Felting at Circles Store. Join Stephanie, an expert felt maker,...

What’s On / One Garden Brighton February 2025

February is full of exciting activities at One Garden Brighton, with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a keen gardener, looking for family fun, or just want to pop by for some great food, there’s plenty happening this month. Gardeners’ Q&A Series....

Join BPO’s Centenary Celebrations

Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra has been delighting local audiences for the last one hundred years, and their bold, colourful concerts – from classical masterpieces to cutting-edge music – are for everyone.  Pioneering pianist, conductor, curator and composer...

Japanese Head Spa Benefits

Most of us crave long, lustrous locks and many women opt for hair extensions to achieve this. Although extensions remain a popular beauty trend, they can be expensive, difficult to upkeep and sometimes cause damage to weak or fine hair. 2024 gave way to a ‘natural...

The Pour House

Our editor was invited to new venue ‘The Pour House’ in Hove for a private dining experience ahead of the launch party. I arrived at new venue The Pour House on a chilly evening in February and was honoured to be one of the first to try the food and cocktails. New...