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Celebrating Marr, as well as local record stores, a plaque for the 61-year old has been unveiled at one of the musician’s regular haunts. Located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and just a short walk from Afflecks Palace, Piccadilly Records became one of the most important record stores in the country in the post-punk boom that came out of the North West, and has been Marr’s record store of choice for almost 50 years.  

The former Smiths guitarist used the opportunity to highlight just how important independent record shops are, saying, “Going out to a record store, it’s a nice pastime. It’s a part of the culture; if they were to completely disappear, the high street or the city centre would be a much worse off place. There’s something about the presence of a record store. It’s a magical thing. I’ve known the staff in Piccadilly Records for 20 years…this plaque is a very nice thing to be associated with.”

@recordstoreday Announcing @Johnny Marr Official as the official Record Store Legend 2025 This award was presented to Johnny Marr at his favourite indie record shop #PiccadillyRecords by @Record Store Day US and Record Store Day UK for both his influence on music and his unwavering support of indie record shops worldwide. “There’s something about the presence of a record store. It’s a magical thing. I’ve known the staff in Picadilly Records for 20 years…this plaque is a very nice thing to be associated with.’’ – Johnny Marr Marr has consistently championed record stores worldwide across multiple album campaigns and will be celebrating #RecordStoreDay ♬ original sound – Record Store Day UK

Andy McQueen, who has worked at Piccadilly Records for over 30 years, said, “Johnny Marr is our favourite living artist, and his music has soundtracked our lives for over forty years. To be associated with him in this beautiful way; well, the pleasure, the privilege is ours.” Speaking to Mancunian Matters in 2015, McQueen described Record Store Day as “brilliant, saying “It brings in a whole new load of customers. I love the spirit of the day.”

Marr will be one of over 400 artists to be participating in this year’s Record Store Day offerings, releasing an exclusive orange double LP called ‘Look Out Live!’. The album will be a live record, recorded at his Hammersmith Apollo show in 2024, and will be released alongside the countless other records on 12 April. According to the Record Store Day website, the album “encapsulates the magic of the culmination of his 2024 Spirit Power tour”, and features tracks from across his impressive 40 year career. Those include ‘This Charming Man’, ‘Getting Away With It’, and ‘Armatopia’. The full track listing can be found here.

2025 won’t be Marr’s first collaboration with the celebratory event, having previously participated in 2015 with his single, ‘I Feel You’, in 2022 with Vince Clarke’s remix of Marr’s ‘Spirit Power and Soul’, as well as various releases from The Smiths and Electronic.

In February, MXDWN UK previewed Record Store Day 2025, highlighting the most sought after records of this year’s edition. Among them are Taylor Swift’s ‘Fortnight’, an Oasis greatest hits compilation titled ‘Times Flies’, two Charlie xcx records, including her collaboration with Billie Eilish, ‘Guess’, and Sam Fender’s EP, ‘Me and the Dog’.

The Oasis Time Flies Record Store Day UK reissue has landed! We even opened one up to show it off a bit. Available in store from 8am Saturday 12th April, first come, first served!@recordstoredayuk.bsky.social

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— Bear Tree Records (@beartreerecords.bsky.social) 2 April 2025 at 20:05

 For Marr, this isn’t just another trophy in a cabinet full of awards, it is recognition for being part of a wave that has seen the record store revived. In 2024, vinyl sales accounted for £196 million of physical sales, compared to £126 million in CD sales. Considering Marr’s place in post-punk history, Piccadilly Records is a fitting home for his plaque.

RECORD STORE DAY 2025

A blockbuster weekend of record shopping, live music, DJ sets and all the best that indie record store culture has to offer. Record Store Day returns Saturday 12th April!

Hit the link for everything #RSD25 at Rough Trade.@RSDUKhttps://t.co/X4ahhEl35J pic.twitter.com/fVzumkYLDQ

— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) March 24, 2025

This year’s RSD boasts an impressive lineup of limited-edition vinyl releases from a diverse array of artists:

Oasis: The Britpop icons reissue ‘Time Flies… (1994-2009)‘, featuring remastered audio and new packaging. This numbered box set includes four colored LPs, marking its first vinyl release since 2010.
Taylor Swift: Fans can look forward to a special 7″ white vinyl of ‘Fortnight‘, featuring Post Malone, from her Grammy-nominated album ‘The Tortured Poets Department‘ (2024).
The Cure: A picture disc edition of their sixth studio album, ‘Head on the Door‘ (1985), will be available, offering collectors a visually distinctive version of this classic record.
Adam Ant: ‘Prince Charming‘ (1981) which has been long out of print is coming back in a special gold vinyl edition.
The Charlatans: The reissue of ‘The Only One I Know‘ as a 12” picture disc features their iconic 1990 single, newly remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Frank Arkwright. It’s the first time the track is available as a picture disc.

For a full list of exclusive releases, visit the official RSD UK website.

Beyond exclusive releases, RSD 2025 features a variety of events and live performances:

Rough Trade East (London): Performances by Swamp, Heather Nova, Fiona-Lee, Gewalt, The Nightinghales, Panchiko, Tough Cookie, Raining Blue, and Sam Akpro. DJ sets include Kate Goodrum, MRCY Soundsystem, Emanuel Pavlova, Mr Bongo, Shame, and DOTWAVNOTWAVE.
Rough Trade West (London): Featuring Sarabeth Tucek, mini-Mekons, The Limiñanas, and Martin Luke Brown.
Rough Trade Nottingham: Hosting Bored Marsh, ronnietoldus, The Housecat Collective, Chloe Rodgers, Sancho Panza, Gigi Gold, Airport Dad, and PASTE.
Rough Trade Liverpool: Performances by The Molotovs, Remée, Hank Bee, Cruush, and Sara Wolff.
Rough Trade Bristol: Featuring Krooked Tongue, a secret set (TBA), Split Chain, DYE, Seneca, and Mass House, with DJ sets by Des Lennis, The Vibe, and Stevebob.

ROUGH TRADE WEST

Live music will return to Talbot Road with some very special acoustic performances from Sarabeth Tucek, @TheMekons, @theliminanas and @martinlukebrown, playing outside the Rough Trade West shop.

FREE ENTRY RSVPhttps://t.co/D6GWeOVoID pic.twitter.com/MfUta5CnGL

— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) March 24, 2025

Aside from the Rough Trade stores, other indepedent record stores will also participate, including:
Sister Ray (London)
Banquet Records (Kingston Upon Thames)
Resident (Brighton)
Spillers Records (Cardiff) - the world’s oldest record store
Crash Records (Leeds)
Piccadilly Records (Manchester)

hundreds of people queuing to get into our record shop for Record Store Day #RSD24 pic.twitter.com/R4gl8l6yUS
— Banquet Records (@BanquetRecords) April 20, 2024

Each of these stores will have their own exclusive vinyl releases, live performances, DJ sets, and special events to celebrate RSD. As RSD 2025 approaches, fans are encouraged to support local record stores, enjoy live performances, and explore exclusive releases, celebrating the vibrant culture of independent music retail.

The Record Store Day edition will see the band put a fresh spin on the track through their collaboration with Beggars Arkive, marking another collaboration between the pair following their rendition of breakthrough single, ‘Indian Rope’ for last year’s event.

Remastered by Frank Arkwright and Abbey Road Studios and released via Beggars Banquet imprint Situation Two, ‘The Only One I Know’ vinyl will be accompanied with two other tracks, ‘Imperial 109’ and ‘Everything Changed’.

Comprising of lead vocalist  Tim Burgess, guitarist Mark Collins, bassist Martin Blunt and keyboardist Tony Rogers, The Charlatans captivated listeners with their second single, ‘The Only One I Know’, from their 1990 debut album ‘Some Friendly’, securing them a spot at no. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Over 30 years since its initial release, the single has become a nostalgic track which soundtracked the 1990s with its mind-blowing basslines, electrifying melody and Burgess’ euphonic vocals.

According to a press release for the announcement, the exclusive vinyl marks one of two special releases in collaboration with Record Store Day 2025.

While referencing the prominence of the track, the press release stated it was “a defining moment in the baggy era, it remains a club favourite and a key part of the band’s legacy. Over 30 years later, now remastered and available on picture disc, its hypnotic groove is set to captivate listeners for decades still to come.”

We’ll be releasing two records for @RSDUK 2025:
Wonderland 2LP set with six bonus tracks on white and red vinyl
The Only One I Know 12” picture disc
More info: https://t.co/Nqvs8umu27 #RSD25 pic.twitter.com/AoToPhBzuL

— The Charlatans (@thecharlatans) February 6, 2025

Alongside Charlatans, it has already been confirmed that both Post Malone and Sam Fender will be this year’s ambassadors for the event set to take place on Saturday April 12. The latter has revealed a limited-edition six-track EP, ‘Me And The Dog’ will be released on 12” vinyl, following the scheduled release of his third album ‘People Watching’, set to release 21 February. The West Midlands rockers and Fender will join an already extensive list of UK artists that have released exclusives for previous Record Store Day‘s, including: The 1975, Kate Bush, Noel Gallagher and Elton John (to name a few).

Available in over 270 independent record shops over the big day, it is evident this year’s Record Store Day will be unforgettable. Check out the event’s website for more information.

To mark the day, the North Shields singer-songwriter will release a limited-edition six-track EP, ‘Me And The Dog’ on 12″ vinyl. The EP will feature two brand-new tracks from the artist as well as fan favourites and songs never pressed on vinyl before.

As part of the role, Sam is set to champion the vibrant and unique culture of the UK’s record shops and the vital role they play in their local communities.

About his role on the big day, Fender stated: “It’s a complete honour to be asked to be the Ambassador for Record Store Day 2025. The importance of indie stores cannot be understated. Without them, we lose physical spaces for music fans to discover both their favourite new artists and to forge friendships with likeminded people. Thanks so much to all the independent stores around the world who support us. Let’s all make sure we support them too.”

Set to release his new album on February 21, the Northern artist shared: “This year is an exciting one for me and the band with the release of our new album, People Watching. We were so privileged to be able to work with the family of legendary North East photographer Tish Murtha and use her photography across the album’s artwork for all formats.”

He added: “The EP we’re releasing for Record Store Day is called ‘Me And The Dog’, which at one point was going to be the name of the new album, so it just feels right that it should have its own moment. We’ve included two songs that haven’t been released – I’m Always On Stage and Empty Spaces.”

Introducing our #RSD25 ambassador, @samfendermusic https://t.co/n52PIdTL68

— Record Store Day UK (@RSDUK) February 4, 2025

Alan Jordan, the owner of Reflex Records in Newcastle, said: “We’re absolutely buzzing to have Sam Fender as this year’s ambassador for Record Store Day. Sam’s a local legend, and the way he’s championed the North East and stayed true to his roots is exactly what independent record stores are all about – community, authenticity, and passion for music. Not only that, but he’s a real vinyl fan too! It’s great to see an artist who grew up down the road bring a spotlight on what we do. From buying Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ from our shop – to seeing him on the world’s stage – there couldn’t be a better artist to fly the flag for indie record shops!” 

In becoming Record Store Day’s Official ambassador for 2025, Sam joins the ranks of artists such as Kate Bush, The 1975, Taylor Swift, Elton John and more.

‘Me And The Dog’ will be available over the counter only on Saturday April 12, from participating shops.  

First established in the United States in 2007 and brought to the UK in 2008, Record Store Day has become a key date in the music calendar. More than 270 independent record stores across the UK—from London’s iconic Rough Trade to specialty shops like Maidinvinyl in Aberdeen—will participate. A store locator tool is available on the event’s website to help attendees find local events.

At its core, the day revolves around exclusive releases that artists create specifically for the occasion. Last year’s releases came from a wide array of artists, including Kate Bush, who offered a 10-inch vinyl of ‘Eat the Music‘ as the UK ambassador. The Cure celebrated the 40th anniversary of ‘The Top’ with a picture disc. Other highlights included Pixies, The Flirtations, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Young Fathers,  Soul Jazz Records, Paramore, and Sleater-Kinney, among others, with Rough Trade offering limited editions for albums like ‘This Is Why’ by Paramore.

Record stores will also host live music, DJ sets, and artist signings, making the day as much about the experience as the records themselves. Participating stores often feature performances from local bands, offering an additional layer of discovery for attendees.

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The event also underscores a broader trend: the resurgence of vinyl in the streaming age. In 2022, vinyl sales in the UK surpassed CDs for the first time in decades, and Record Store Day has been instrumental in this renaissance. It isn’t just a cultural celebration; it’s an economic lifeline for independent record shops. In 2024, the event drove vinyl to account for 37.2% of the UK albums market during its chart week, according to the ERA. Music consumption is at an all time high and limited-edition releases and increased foot traffic bring a vital boost to small retailers, while artists use the day to strengthen fan connections with exclusive offerings. As Drew Hill of Utopia Music puts it, vinyl is firmly “back at the heart” of music campaigns, benefiting both shops and musicians alike.

This year’s partners highlight the event’s growing cultural cachet. Collaborations include BBC Radio 6, long a champion of independent music; War Child, a nonprofit supporting children in conflict zones; and Studio by Miraval, who are home to recording studios where both Pink Floyd and the Cranberries have recorded albums in the past.

Whether you’re a lifelong vinyl collector, a casual music fan, or just curious about the charm of your local record shop, it’s a day to celebrate the tactile joys of music, from flipping through racks of vinyl to hearing the first crackle as the needle touches down on grooved PVC.