Saturday 24 October saw the final third drop of exciting vinyl releases mark the end of this year’s Record Store Day events series in the UK. In a unique and somewhat unusual organisation, the 2020 record celebration ran over three separate days spread between August and October in response to the ongoing global pandemic and government restrictions that would have made the traditional single day launch impossible to plan. The event organisers have adapted to the situation in spectacular fashion and managed to host a well planned, smooth and safe run of events that concluded yesterday.
Following the highly anticipated re-scheduled first drop on 29 August and its popular follow-up on 26 September, the initial numbers showed staggering increase in vinyl sales and a very positive reception from the community. We are yet to get the final results from all three events, but so far everything points to a very succesful and beneficial Record Store Days this year, in a particularly difficul time for independent shop owners and record companies. The event organisers expressed their gratitude to everyone who took the time to visit their local shop or get involved online, highlighting the impact it had to the struggling industry and stating that the support “has meant the world to record shops across the UK“.
Yesterday’s final event saw the same measures in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved. Visitors to all participating stores were asked to wait in socially distanced queues and book shopping slots in advance to avoid overcrowding, and also had all remaining vinyl and deal available online after 6pm. Subject to availability and terms and conditions, some of the records that have not sold out yet can still be found in your local store or online so it is worth checking RSD’s Store Locator for the remaining titles.
One of the highlights of the October drop was Keith Richard’s rare 7” Hate It When You Leave which was promoted with exclusive new video that premiered last week. Moreover, vinyl lovers queued from the early morning hours to get their hands on special limited offers such as the remastered edition of Prince’s iconic Sign O’ The Times, Frank Zappa’s 2020 collectors’ edition of You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore, clear vinyl of Lewis Capaldi’s triple platinum Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent, and the unique picture disk version of the critically acclaimed debut album Deep Down Happy by Sports Team. The list of exciting titles went on with the release of exclusive LPs and 7” by Alice Cooper, Eminem, Johnny Cash, Asking Alexandria, Lou Reed, and others.
HAPPY MERRY RECORD STORE DAY PT.3
We’re celebrating the final of our #RSDDrops today. You can get your hands on the third batch of exclusives only from independent record shops! Please remember to wear a mask Find your local store: https://t.co/oPw6JXytAo #RSD20 pic.twitter.com/X1iF9fAhLT
— Record Store Day UK (@RSDUK) October 24, 2020
Following the success of the first two events, and the hype leading to yesterday’s October drop, the event organisers have announced a special Black Friday release for 27 November. With yet another collection of exclusive titles, the event proposes a different approach to the heavily commercialised Black Friday event by turning the idea “on its head by offering music fans a selection of unique records to celebrate record shops and the art of vinyl“. Full list of the upcoming releases can be found online with some very interesting editions by Beastie Boys, Chris Cornell, Corey Taylor, The Weeknd, Dio, George Harrison, Nick Cave, Motorhead, U2 and many more.
