The 16th incarnation of Record Store Day - a global celebration of the indie record store space and the largest event on any music collector’s calendar - is creeping up fast.
While in-person Record Store Day events are being held at stores across Australia, with many retailers offering extended trade and special deals, a collection of in-store performances and DJ sets are also on the cards in record stores across Australia.
Highlights include a Peking Duk instore signing at Beatniks in Queensland; live sets from Ella Thompson, Close Counters and The Rookies at Northside Records in Victoria; a special live performance from Redhook at Crosstalk Records in New South Wales; a RSD debut at Karma Llama in Western Australia with live performances from Emily Barker, The Stamps and Jack Davies; more live sets from Antenna, Cammy Cautious and the Wrestlers, Big Echo and Tropical Strength at Franks Wild Years in NSW, and plenty more.
Record Store Day 2023
- Record Store Day – Saturday 22 April 2023
- Stores open at 8am nationally
- A full list of activities can be found at the Record Store Day website.
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Elsewhere, Australian Music Vault is hosting a special Record Store Day vinyl hunt, stashing vinyl merch packs featuring local Record Store Day releases and iconic Australian artists featured in the Australian Music Vault in indie retailers anywhere in Australia.
And that’s not all. MTV has also joined the Record Store Day party. From 6am – 6pm on the day, they’ll be hosting a Happy Record Store Day special, featuring five songs curated by local and international talent, as well as heaps of tunes from the best acts of Australia and New Zealand
The vinyl fanatics digging at these select stores can track down a ‘golden ticket’, tucked away on one of two albums in the store. Winners of the golden tickets will win a bottle of The Gospel Straight Rye Whiskey (redeemable for winners 18+ only).
Participating stores in the golden ticket giveaway are:
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FITZROY: Oh! Jean, Plug Seven, The Searchers
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COLLINGWOOD: Skydiver, Licorice Pie
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ABBOTSFORD: Dutch Vinyl
The Gospel will also partner with Collingwood’s Paradise Alley for an after-party and bring with them a selection of vinyl DJs to play throughout the night.
From 2pm -12am, the venue will offer drinks specials alongside a curated schedule of vinyl DJ sets by Mr Lob, who will close the night with the last set from 10pm -12am.
The newly announced on-day Record Store Day activities accompany the earlier announcement of Australian Record Store Day specials, which boasts releases from iconic Australian artists and some dream collaborations including Peking Duk with Darren Hayes, Bluey, Ball Park Music, Close Counters, Confidence Man, Ella Thompson, Forest Claudette, GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Hugo Basclain, Ocean Alley, Penny Ikinger, Polish Club, Underground Lovers and Winterbourne.
Each year since 2008, Record Store Day takes over Australia and the world’s independent record stores on the third Saturday of April for a massive day of crate-digging, exclusive RSD offers, in-store performances from local artists and DJs, artist signings and more.
Record Store Day aims to give back to the passionate folk behind the front counter, who share access, knowledge, and an undying love of the world’s best music.
If you can’t make it on the day, never fear – online sales of leftover RSD stock will be available at participating retailers’ online stores from 9am Monday 24 April.
Check out the full list of RSD Australia releases via the Record Store Day Australia website.
