Have you checked out the #RSD25 list yet? Tell us your top picks in the comments below https://t.co/YdFzKBjkYM

— Record Store Day UK (@RSDUK) February 6, 2025

Record Store Day has become an annual celebration ever since it first started in 2008, and now it is more famous and popular than ever with all the best selling artists in the world joining in. While the initial goal of the event was that to support small and independent record stores, it has now become a staple in the music culture and a date that vinyl collectors await with much excitement, as it is the one day in the year where we can all get our hands on a new, very limited edition, a recording from decades ago or a special deluxe edition which will only be available on the day.

Among the most anticipated records are:

1. Taylor Swift – ‘Fortnight’

The lead single from Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department‘ will be available on 7″ white vinyl, with one side featuring the song and one side featuring ‘Fortnight [BLOND:ISH Remix]’ which will be available for the first time on vinyl.

2. Oasis – ‘Compilation Time Flies‘

The compilation which ranges from 1994 to 2009 will be available for the first time on vinyl.

3. Charli xcx – ‘Number 1 Angel’ 

The artist’s third mixtape, originally released in 2017. It was only released on vinyl as a double pressing with ‘Pop 2‘ and will be released on a new pressing for the first time ever for RSD.

4. Charli xcx and Billie Eilish – ‘Guess’

The collaboration between Billie Eilish and Charli xcx, which earned them a number one on the UK songs chart and was included in MXDWN’s best songs of 2024, will be released for the first time on vinyl.

5. Sam Fender – ‘Me and the Dog‘

British singer and songwriter Sam Fender was announced as the ambassador for this year’s edition of Record Store Day. The artist will also be releasing an exclusive RSD pressing of a special six tracks EP titled ‘Me and the Dog‘, which will also include two brand new tracks.

Other artists that are releasing special editions or limited pressing of their music for RSD include Fred Again with the very first release on vinyl of the EP ‘Actual Life Piano Sessions’, a new live recording from Elton John, a live recording edition of ‘The Secret of Us’ by Gracie Abrams and Griff ‘Live at Alexandra Palace’.

The full list is available here, and RSD also offers a feature to check which store close to you will be participating.

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.

Record Store Day first took place in 2008 in the United States, after a group of record shop owners had gathered to spread the importance of record shopping and its culture. While it first begun as a celebration of smaller shops and as a way to attract more people into visiting and being from these, over the years it has become a real celebration of music itself, with artists releasing special editions of their albums and singles just for Record Store Day! Some artists may decide to release physical copies of their album on the same date as Record Store Day, while some others create new, special and very limited editions of pre-existing albums or singles.

Save the date! Record Store Day 2025 will be taking place on Saturday the 12th of April – 18 years and still spinning. Let’s go! #RSD25 pic.twitter.com/TVEmLvar2x

— Record Store Day UK (@RSDUK) January 7, 2025

This year, Record Store Day UK will be held in partnership with DEYA Brewing Company: DEYA has created a special Record Store Day beer which will available in April in all participating stores and pubs. The managers of DEYA have told Official Charts that they are excited to partner with RSD UK:

“We’re really excited to partner with Record Store Day. Music has been an important part of DEYA and our Taprooms so this felt like a natural fit. We’re passionate about independent venues and the art of vinyl and love the work Record Store Day does to support record shops and the industry. We’re here to help facilitate good vibes.”

Following the official announcement of the #RSD25 date, we’ve got some big news! @deyabrewery is our official beer partner for #RSD25. Known for their world-class beers, top-tier taproom, and killer designs, they’re the ideal partner to celebrate indie culture! And something… pic.twitter.com/qpGagmYRBj — Record Store Day UK (@RSDUK) January 7, 2025

Furthermore, long-time partners Bowers and Wilkins will also participate. Speaking to Official Charts, the Vice President of the Company has said:

“At Bowers & Wilkins, we’ve always believed in the power of music to bring people together, and independent record stores are the beating heart of that community. Record Store Day is a celebration of the artistry and craftsmanship that make music so special, and we’re proud to continue our support for these incredible spaces that champion music in all its forms.”

Finally, Studio by Miraval returns for its second year. The manager of the company that has created the famous rose wine stated he was delighted to continue this partnership, adding:

“The partnership with RSD is a unique collaboration that embodies our desire to share these passions and moments, making connections across diverse communities and providing music for your tastebuds.”

While it is not yet clear who will participate in this year’s edition of Record Store Day and what vinyls will be available, the list is usually available by late February at the latest. Last year, thousands of music enthusiasts gathered by their local record shop in the early hours of the morning to get their hands on their favourite record and while many succeeded, the darker side of RSD is that there will never be enough copies to satisfy the extreme demand.

Some of the artists that participated in last year’s RSD are Lily Allen, with a limited run of ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You‘, The Cure with a RSD exclusive picture disc, Maisie Peters with a limited run of deluxe version of ‘The Good Witch‘, and The Rolling Stones with another RSD exclusive, 6000 copies limited run.