The former Oasis member Noel Gallagher has been announced as the ambassador for Record Store Day 2021. The ambassador’s role is to raise support and excitement among music fans for the event and independent record stores, whilst embodying and inspiring a love of Vinyl. Gallagher will join the ranks of past ambassadors, a list which is full of respected musicians and artists. Past ambassadors have included Rag n Bone Man, Kate Tempest, Sir Elton John and the comedy duo, The Mighty Boosh.
The singer and musician gave an interview with the event where he officially announced his role as the event’s ambassador. Within the interview, Gallagher also explains the importance of record stores to himself as well as within the country.
“Record shops were really important when I was growing up. It’s something that’s in my DNA. I think if we can keep record shops open for as long as possible, we owe it to the young people of this country. For this year’s Record Store Day, I’ll be getting involved. I’ve got something unique coming out. Hopefully the fans will like it and they’ll keep the flame burning for your local record shop.”
The artist also announced earlier within the year that a best-of package will be released on 11th June 2021 from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The album entitled ‘Back the way we came Vol 1 (2011-2021)’, will chart the first decade of the band’s career and will feature their classic and most loved tracks. The collection will also include the new singles, ‘Flying On The Ground’ and ‘We’re On Our Way Now’. The greatest hits album will also line up with the tenth anniversary of the band’s debut release ‘Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Bands’, which was released on 17th October 2011, a week after the release the band embarked on their High Flying Birds Tour. In support of Record Store Day, the release will also be available as a special edition LP, the exclusive release will be hand-pressed, numbered and a coloured LP edition. The special edition will also include artwork created exclusively for independent record stores in celebration of Record Store Day.
Record Store Day has remained a highlight of every music fan’s year since its inception in 2007, the event was initially created in the US by founders Michael Kurtz, Eric Levin, Amy Dorfman, Carrie Colliton, Brian Poehner and Don Van Cleave and is now a worldwide success. This year, Record Store Day will take place over the two dates, 12th June 2021 and 17th July 2021. The event has been celebrated annually to raise interest and support for the country’s independent record stores, Record Store Day has also been accredited with the spike of Vinyl sales which has occurred since its inception. Since the COVID pandemic has forced the closure of over 250 stores across the country for over three months, the importance in which these stores hold has been magnified. Many artists have also felt the call to arms to support these stores and will be releasing exclusive Vinyl records in support of Record Store Day.
The full list of releases and participating record stores can be seen here
Click here to pre order the album.
