Audiophiles, vinyl-heads, and music junkies: your Christmastime is here! Record Store Day returns this Saturday, April 12th with hundreds of exclusive, limited edition releases spanning practically every genre of music! You can find the list of this year’s titles at recordstoreday.com.
Since 2008, independently-owned brick and mortar record stores around the world have been the focus of Record Store Day, which is devoted to celebrating the role they play in their communities and the people who make them spin: the staff who run them, customers who shop them, and the artists who make the music they sell.
The Record Store Day website does not sell the releases, and there is no website where they can be pre-ordered. You have to show up in person at an actual record store this Saturday if you hope to get any of the exclusive, limited run RSD releases. But be forewarned: releases available will vary per store. Each indie record store makes their own buying decisions and may choose to bring in some titles and not others. The titles are limited in number, and stores may not get all copies they wanted or may sell out of a release before you are able to purchase it.
As always, several local record stores are participating. Although there are many other independent local record stores and record sellers here in Louisville that you should support as well, the following are the only ones listed on the official Record Store Day website. Here’s a look at what they have going on for RSD:
Better Days Records (921 Barret Ave.) opens at 8 a.m. LRS102.com will be broadcasting live from the store and presenting live bands throughout the day, (more details on bands and times to be announced). Food trucks and local vendors will also be on hand, and all used LPs, 45s, 12″ singles, cassettes, and CDs will be 25% off.
The Great Escape (2433 Bardstown Rd.) opens at 8 a.m. and is giving away five free records/CDs per person from their $.99 cent selection all day. They’ll also have a selection of giveaways available (while supplies last) including posters, tote bags, stickers and other goodies.
Guestroom Records (1806 Frankfort Ave.) will post an up-to-date list of confirmed in stock RSD titles on Thursday, April 10th. On Saturday the 12th, they will open at 9 a.m. and, per their website: “In addition to RSD releases, we will have a storewide sale on all Non-RSD items, and we’re stocking up on choice used records special for that day too!”
Matt Anthony’s Record Shop (530 Baxter Ave.) have not yet released any information on what they have planned for the big day or opening time.
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Please note: all local record stores have their own rules as to how they handle Record Store Day crowds, so check with each for specific information. However, things to keep in mind are:
- Record Store Day exclusive releases are only available in-store and are strictly limited to one copy per customer, per title. All titles are sold as first come, first serve, (no holds or mail orders).
- Expect large lines as most stores are only allowing a certain number of people in at a time. Therefore, be prepared to wait in-person in line outside the store.
- No holding spaces in line, (other than bathroom breaks for people already in line). These releases are very limited, so having your friends and family show up and jump in line with you WILL cause problems, you WILL be confronted on your bullshit by others in line, and you’ll most likely be denied entrance to the record store. So don’t try it.
- Be respectful of other people in line. Crowding, rushing, cutting/line-jumping when the doors open is an excellent way to get kicked out of line.
- Be respectful/mindful of other businesses and homes near the record stores. Don’t litter, yell, blast music, park in their spaces/driveway, take a piss on their property, etc.
- Don’t bring chairs, tents, coolers, etc. You won’t be allowed in with them, and no one wants your crap blocking up the sidewalk and taking up room in the line while you’re inside shopping.
- Please only buy the records that you really want and plan on keeping for yourself. People who buy up RSD exclusive records for the purpose of reselling them online for profit are scumbags.
- Do chat with the people in line. You’ll no doubt meet a lot of cool people there with similar interests, (they’re in line for RSD too, so you already have that in common). So be friendly, make new friends, find a new lover, start a band, whatever, just be nice to each other!
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This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2025.