New York, NY | Vinyl enthusiasts line up for Record Store Day: Record Store Day, a biannual event aimed at promoting independent record and music stores, kicked off Saturday, with vinyl enthusiasts lined up at Rock and Soul in Midtown, Manhattan. “Bring a book, bring a blanket, bring a chair. It’s not the beach, but it’ll do,” customer Steven Weissman, who lined up outside the record store around 5 p.m. Friday, said. “It’s just very cold. I’m very tired,” Hailey Helsel, another customer near the front of the line, said. Dephyrus Jiang was the first in line for the Wicked vinyl, which he managed to score once the doors opened at 8 a.m. He got on line at 3 p.m. on Friday. “I’ve been doing this since day one. I’ve done different record stores, this is one of the best though,” said Bruce Alexander, who says he’s taken part in Record Store Day every year since it began. …Helsel said it was her first time in a record store.
Winnipeg, CA | Record Store Day brings dozens of audiophiles together to seek limited edition vinyl: Dozens of eagerly awaiting vinyl collectors gathered across the city today to seek some hard to find gems on Record Store Day. “We had a lineup at the door of I think there were 45 people in line,” said Greg Tonn, owner of Into The Music in The Exchange District. “Record Store Day is a celebration of the unique contribution that independent record stores make to music culture in general. It’s been going on for almost 20 years now.” Tonn said his store which will celebrate 38 years in June, has participated in the biannual event since the second year it began. The worldwide event which started in 2008 features a whole schedule of brand new and unique items available in limited quantity. Six different music stores in Winnipeg participated in the limited release of vinyl this spring.
Green Bay, WI | Vinyl lovers gather at Rock N’ Roll Land in Green Bay for Record Store Day releases: Vinyl fans packed the sidewalk outside Rock N’ Roll Land Saturday morning, some camping out overnight, all hoping to score rare and exclusive releases for Record Store Day. Doors opened at 7 a.m., but the line started forming a day earlier. The first 50 people in line received goodie bags, while all shoppers were treated to free coffee, donuts, and live music from a DJ spinning from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Used records and CDs were also marked down to half price. “Today is Record Store Day. It’s a national event. It happens once a year—they do several hundred limited releases,” said Todd Magnuson, owner of Rock N’ Roll Land. “We’ve had people line up as early as yesterday at six in the morning.” This year, Magnuson went all in, ordering every title on the official Record Store Day list, which included more than 330 limited-edition vinyl drops.
Windsor, ON | Vinyl lovers jam out at Windsor shops on Record Store Day: In an era where background noise squeals louder than ever, Jason Hoffer finds peace in the tunes flowing out of his record player. The owner of Going Thru Vinyl Records on Ottawa Street believes it can help overcome the world’s “divisive” nature. “My wife, daughter, and I go upstairs into the attic, we put on records, and we put all the devices away, and I just drop the needle,” Hoffer told CTV News. On Saturday, Hoffer’s passion was shared with hundreds of customers who waltzed through his door in search of the newest record to add to their collection. As part of Record Store Day, recognized in markets across the world, music aficionados celebrate independent brick-and-mortar businesses, and their collective passion. In its 18th edition, shops like Hoffers are filled with unique offerings which include limited edition or new vinyl. “It’s probably the best [release] list ever since the beginning of Record Store Day,” Hoffer said.
Southsea, UK | Pie and Vinyl Record Store Day in Southsea proves a hit: Music fans flocked to Southsea for the popular annual Record Store Day. People camped out in tents and queued for hours down Castle Road to get hold of precious new releases on offer at Pie & Vinyl. Fantastic deals were there to be had for a variety of music genres as people packed the street for the music feast that has become a popular date in the diary over the years. Castle Road was transformed into a sea of colour as people wallowed in the sunshine to enjoy the music and offerings in the bustling street.
Manchester, UK | Music lovers queue up from early hours of morning to get their hands on rare vinyl for Record Store Day: “There’s an energy to vinyl records that you don’t get just pressing play on Spotify.” Queues snaked around the block in Manchester city centre this morning (April 12) as vinyl lovers turned out in droves to support Record Store Day. Established state-side in 2008 by independent record shop owners in Baltimore, the day is intended to celebrate the staff and customers who ‘make up the world of the record shop’, and help support them as local and independent businesses. Artists and labels contribute by curating special edition releases, many of which in very limited quantities which will only be available on the day itself. …The phenomenon has gone on to expand internationally—and with a wealth of vinyl shops in the city centre, Manchester is well placed to take part.
Rapid City, SD | Swifties and Vinyl Collectors Line Up for Record Store Day: Dozens of music fans lined up early Saturday in downtown Rapid City for Record Store Day, hoping to snag some coveted new vinyl releases. The first person in line at Black Hills Vinyl arrived at 1am, aiming to score the latest records from Taylor Swift and the soundtrack from the movie “Wicked.” At Ernie Novembers, the first person was in line at 7am waiting for a Twenty One Pilots record. Record Store Day, held annually on a Saturday in April, is a celebration of independent record stores. The event brings together music lovers, artists, and record store owners to highlight the unique culture of record shops and their importance in local communities. Many artists release exclusive vinyl records and special editions for the day, drawing enthusiastic crowds. The popularity of vinyl continues to surge, with vinyl albums outselling CDs for the past two years.
Cardiff, UK | ‘I camped out all night to buy a Taylor Swift record.’ Saturday, April 12, marked Record Store Day, which aims to celebrate independently owned record shops, and dozens queued overnight in Cardiff to visit Spillers Records. Welsh music fans have queued overnight to get their hands on exclusive vinyl records. Saturday, April 12, marked Record Store Day, which aims to celebrate independently owned record shops and attracts thousands every year. This year was no different, with crowds queuing near Cardiff’s Spiller Records’ door in Morgan Arcade all the way down past Waterstones book shop in The Hayes. This Record Store Day marked the special release of American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s 7″ white vinyl of Fortnight amongst other exclusive record releases. And, as expected, many Swifties had turned up for the occasion. 25-year-old Sioned Nikolic, who is originally from Wrexham but lives in Cardiff, was one of the first to make it into the queue at around 5.30pm on Friday afternoon, April 11.
Cedar Falls, IA | Vinyl Cup Records celebrates National Record Store Day: Vinyl Cup Records was celebrating Record Store Day on Saturday. It’s a way to celebrate independent record shops. A large group of people lined up for a chance at coming home with exclusive releases that are only offered during National Record Store Day. “Record collecting is becoming very trendy right now,” said Carrie Goossen, Manager at Vinyl Cup Records. “We’re reaching out to a wider demographic. You get to learn a lot about people when they share parts of their lives with us when they are shopping and looking at different music.” Record Store Day is first come, first served, as people line up for a chance at the exclusive titles. Some of the exclusive records included music from Snoop Dogg, Rage Against the Machine, Taylor Swift, and dozens of other artists.
Wellington, NZ | Spin me round: Wellington vinyl shop celebrates ‘Record Store Day.’ Long queues have been seen outside a record store in Wellington this morning as vinyl lovers waited eagerly in anticipation to get their hands on several special releases. Today sees the return of ‘Record Store Day’ where almost 300 independent record shops across the UK have come together to celebrate their unique culture. Residents and music lovers queued down New Street outside Spinning Around Records in Wellington, hoping to purchase one of several exclusive records that have been made for the day. This year’s special releases include a record by Sam Fender, the Oasis Time Flies box set and Fortnight by Taylor Swift. Owner of Spinning Around Records, Emma Perks has spent weeks preparing for the special day and said she was looking forward to opening her doors bright and early to welcome eager customers.
Ventnor, UK | Queues down the street for vinyl bargains on Record Store Day: There were queues down the road for Record Store Day in Ventnor yesterday (Saturday). Both Reggie’s Retro and Ventnor Exchange took part in the national initiative and both shops had sought-after vinyls that drew the fans. Stanley Griffiths-Nash, 13, waited from 5.30am to get the Taylor Swift 7″ single Fortnight and was delighted with his purchase. Sharon Holloway, of Reggie’s Retro, said: “We’ve had lots of great feedback from customers. “We’ve been a bit late catching on to Record Store Day. The idea that people would have to go to the mainland to participate is awful.” The store was busy all day. Ventnor Exchange’s Mhairi Macaulay said: “Record Store Day is about everyone connecting with music. It’s really nice to have a day dedicated just to that.” Both venue had live music throughout the day.
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