More than 250 independent record shops are gearing up for the biggest celebration of the year this weekend, as Record Store Day is set to place on Saturday 22 April.

Hundreds of artists, including Official 2023 ambassadors the 1975, Taylor Swift, Self Esteem, Foals, Loyle Carner and Greentea Peng have come together to shower independent shops with a series of exclusive and limited edition vinyl releases that will be available over the counter only from the morning of Saturday 22nd.

Talking of their involvement in this year’s campaign, Matty Healy of the 1975, explained: “Independent record stores are the lifeblood of the music industry and have played a crucial role in our story so far. It couldn’t be more important to support their vital community and culture”.

BBC Sounds

BBC Sounds is set to return as the Official Media Partner of this year’s event with a host of support across the networks. Taking us beyond the crates and behind the counter of some of the most exciting record stores in the country with some of their most famous fans in new podcast offering, Counter Culture, now available exclusively on BBC Sounds. 6 Music will also be broadcasting The Vinyl Weekender - celebrating vinyl and record collections on air including exclusive RSD releases and presenter’s favourites on wax for three whole days.

Events

And in true Record Store Day fashion, music fans in every corner of the country will be able to enjoy a weekend of over 70 free events, performances and activities.

From an all day party with DJs, a BBQ and raves at Intense Records in Essex, to a full day line-up of local music and performances at the local church hosted by VoxBox in Edinburgh, there really is something for everyone.

In some locations, fans will even get the chance to meet their favourite artists and take part in signing sessions including Baby Queen (Resident, Brighton), Inspiral Carpets (Raves from the Grave, Frome) and Steve Mason (Truck Store, Oxford).

To accompany all of these great events, shops will also be stocking this year’s official RSD Beer: Meantime x Double Groove. 50p per every bottle sold will also be donated to this year’s Official Charity Partner, War Child.

Fans can find their local record shop event by heading over to the events listing page now.

TikTok

And for those who just can’t get enough in-store on the day, the official TikTok partnership is returning with an official Record Store Day hashtag and guest playlist (launching April 19th) featuring all of this year’s favourite artists releases! Fans are encouraged to create with sounds from the playlist, sharing how they’re spending their #RecordStoreDay, what releases they’ll be lining up for, and more with our official hashtag, launching on #RecordStoreDay April 22nd.

Create your own RSD release

And finally, fans can also enjoy something new, fun and unique this Record Store Day via its collaboration with Filmily and a new RSD app. Music lovers can star on their very own album covers and champion their local record shop by taking a selfie on the app and sharing to socials!

To find out what’s happening near you this weekend, head to our official events listing page and/ or contact your local independent record shop.

Record Store Day will take place in over 250 locations on Saturday 22 April.