The DJ decks are prepped, the goodie bags are filled and exclusive releases are filling stock rooms all over the UK as independent record stores prepare for the biggest day in the record buying calendar.

After two years of being forced to strip back their plans, record stores from Edinburgh to East Anglia, Belfast to Bristol are set to mark the 15th anniversary of Record Store Day in style with exclusive releases and events to cater for every taste and need on 23rd April.

No Record Store Day is complete without the endless live music, performances and events taking place in shops all across the UK, making it one of the biggest simultaneous music parties in the calendar.

There’ll be live shows across the UK with many stores putting together full line-ups throughout the day. Like many of the participating stores, Chelmsford’s Intense Records are kicking off the party at 8am with a set by local DJ, and veteran of RSD, Danny Bounce, before a very special set of DJ appearances scheduled during the day. Gloucestershire’s Trading Post Records will also be getting going first thing, promising DJ sets all day from Neil Arthur, Emily Barker and loads more.

But it’s not just the Record Store Day stalwarts getting in on the action. Many of the 264 participating stores are getting ready for their first fully fledged RSD celebrations. Turntable Coffee + Vinyl in Huddersfield will be marking their first birthday and Record Store Day with live music grilled cheese, beer and pies, while fellow newcomer Shrubs and Dubs in Shoreditch will be giving away plants with purchases made on the day.

It’s safe to say the Record Store Day street party is back in force, Cardiff’s Diverse Vinyl will be hosting shows across three locations in the Welsh capital with the likes of Loose Articles, John Mouse and Death Cult Electric all on the bill. Marlborough’s Sound Knowledge are getting in on the act too, with live shows from a range of artists including Reuben's Daughters, Anne Liu Cannon and Nick Harper over the whole Record Store Day weekend.

The team at Rough Trade are also back with a stellar line-up of performances at their stores around the country. In Nottingham fans will be treated to sets by Jords and Master Peace, the Bristol branch is hosting Skinny Lister, Lande Hekt, Olivia Dean and Tamzene while Rough Trade East are putting on gigs from Theon Cross, Japanese Television, Tatyana and A.R Kane Sounds.

Even if you can’t make one of the many live shows taking place on the day, it’s still worth getting to your local store early with plenty of shops offering goody bags, food and drink for the first record collectors through their doors. Getting there sooner rather than later is also your best chance of getting hold of the records you want because, as always, all the exclusive Record Store Day releases will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

BBC Sounds is set to return as the Official Media Partner of this year’s event with a host of support across the networks. BBC Radio 6 Music, which has been the home of Record Store Day for the last six years, will mark this year’s edition with shop phoners, artist interviews and special plays of RSD releases throughout the week. This activity will culminate in a special broadcast– so stay tuned for more details!

TikTok are also joining the party with the launch of the #RecordStoreDay hashtag challenge calling on all record collectors and music lovers to get out to their local shop on the 23rd and share the special releases they’ve managed to find. The hashtag will be promoted throughout the day and will be accompanied by an official RSD guest playlist full of some of this year’s most exciting participating artists. Be sure to give @recordstoreday a follow and join in the fun!

That’s just the tip of the iceberg with more Record Store Day shows and giveaways being announced all the time in the lead up to the big day. Keep an eye on our events page and the social media accounts of your local store to keep up to date.