Record Store Day (RSD) is Saturday, April 16. That’s the day when all of Buffalo’s independent record shops go out of their way to amplify the benefits of collecting vinyl. Record Store Day was started in 2007 as a way to promote the independent shops, which were facing tremendous pressure and competition from the national chains and the internet. The event was so successful that to this day communities around the world rally behind the effort.
As a way to take full advantage of the buzz created by RSD, indie record shops offer a number of unique promotions from year to year, including hosting live music, musician meet and greets, pressed vinyl exclusives, shop specials, food carts/trucks, giveaways and refreshments. Even the artists, promoters and labels get behind the cooperative effort, which has turned into a huge boon for the industry.
According to Billboard, the 2013 RSD event marked the highest US record sales.
Rolling Stone notes that anticipated records pressed (new, reissued, etc.) for RSD 2016 include David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Johnny Cash, and Madonna. Additional artists include Elvis Presley, Phish, Cheap Trick, Flaming Lips, Justin Bieber, Florence and the Machine, The D.O.C., Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Notorious B.I.G., Afrika Bambaataa, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, The Doors, Grateful Dead, Big Star, Joe Strummer, The Buzzcocks, Jay Farrar, Son Volt, J Dilla, Air, KMFDM, Iron Maiden, Sun Ra, Regina Spektor, Lush, The Sword, Tom Petty, Mumford and Sons, Muse, Frank Turner, Alt-J, Chvrches, Alanis Morrissette, Graham Nash, Mark Mothersbaugh
Metallica was chosen as 2016 RSD ambassador.
Check the Record Store Day website for full list of artist releases.
10 AM – 9 PM | Facebook pages offer up varying times, performance schedules, artist line-ups, promotion details, etc:
Record Theatre – Both Main Street locations
Revolver – 1451 Hertel Avenue
Black Dots – Corner of Lafayette and Grant
Spiral Scratch – 1109 Elmwood