Record Store Day, the annual celebration of independent record shops and its stock returns on Saturday, April 13th. As always, there’s the usual list of exclusive once-off releases that may feature in participating outlets.
Here’s a full list of records stores participating in Ireland and below you’ll find the special events and live music happening in them.
2019 marks the 12th annual Record Store Day. Honestly, it seems like the event is garnering less and less of involvement, especially instore events, as the years go by. In fairness, there’s a high paywall outlets have to front in order to participate, involving the mandatory purchase of certain records and stock there’s no guarantee will sell. This seems especially unfair toward the super small independently owned stores.
Going forward, the relevancy of Record Store Day will depend on how many stores and small labels get behind it, not just in shifting vinyl but in throwing curated events that celebrate record culture. Inclusion is the name of the game.
Dublin
Tower Records, Dawson Street & O’Connell Street
Special editions and rare pressings for sale all day.
The R.A.G.E.
All day BYOB party featuring live performances from Bullet Girl, Angular Hank & more. There’ll be DJ sets throughout the day from Kate Brennan Harding, Djackulate, Claire Beck & more.
In terms of RSD parties, this seems to be where it’s at. Full event details here.
Optic Music at The Big Romance
The cool little place in The Big Romance is teaming up with Dublin Record Club for a day of rare vinyl sales, including a 25% discount. The event will run on until 1am, with DJ sets from Ships, Dublin Record Club and Optic Music.
Freebird Records
Live performances in-store from Lemoncello, Margie Jean Lewis, Paddy Hanna, School Tour, Music City, Maija Sofia and more on Wicklow Street.
Absys Records Fairview
Running from 9am – 11pm, the Absys Record store will be co-hosting a rare vinyl event. Run in partnership with D&B collective Springfield Crew Massive, RSD at Absys will be the place to pick up speciality genre vinyl. That means D&B, Garage and all the breeds of Metal. There’ll definitely be a ton of tunes of that variety being spun in the store all day.
Event details here.
Cork
Musiczone
Live performances in store all day.
11:15AM – The Alkove
12 Noon – The Shaker Hymn
12:45PM – Ian Whitty And The Exchange
1:30PM – Gavin James
2:15PM – Marc O’Reilly
3:15PM – The Grunts
4:15PM – Sara Ryan
Bunker Vinyl
A non-official event but considering they’re offering 2 vinyl for €35, we have to include it.
Records & Relics
Another store that didn’t fancy the paywall to officially participate. Records & Relics are hosting their own ‘Not A Record Store Day’ party. Cork band The Slut Club will be playing in the store, DJ Unkel Martyn will be spinning vinyl all day.
Golden Discs
Vinyl Lounge invites customers to come in, relax and spin a couple of their favourite tunes on wax.
Belfast
Strange Victory Records
A brand new record store is popping up in Belfast on RSD. Run by the gig promotion crew of the same name, the store will boast live performances from 11am on Saturday. The bill is topped by Timmy Stewart but includes many more.
Maynooth
Player 1 Gaming
The only store down this neck of the woods officially participating. RSD at Player 1 will feature a host of rare pressings and special editions for sale.
