Long live Record Store Day! Here’s why you should visit your local store on 21 April, says Charlotte Croft
From joining the queue, to leaving with shiny new plastic, Record Store Day is an experience drenched in anticipation and excitement. It’s where music lovers unite, clasping their wish lists and preparing themselves for a more cramped but exciting jaunt around their favourite store, soaking up the infectious buzz as they eagerly pick out one-off releases.
With record sales hitting a 25-year high last year, and racking up an increase of 53%, it’s no surprise that independent stores are continuing to make some noise. Nestled within the hustle and bustle of Pop Brixton sits Container Records, a shop brimming with records spanning a range of genres which makes for the perfect pit-stop during a leisurely weekend stroll.
Shopping for vinyl has always been changing. Container Records’ Jack Christie would be the first to tell you that. “Independent stores used to have stronger positions in town centres and high streets as they were always more varied and the releases were arranged democratically, whereas high street chain stores used to put a lot more emphasis on the Top 40 singles charts.
“Streaming and downloading took hold of a lot of the independent shops and the surviving high street chains began leaning heavily on other products such as DVDs and apparel. Now the big chains have nearly vanished and the independent shops are making a strong come back. It’s a niche market but we’re still here!”
What can customers expect from Record Store Day at Container Records this year? “We’re hosting an all-day label market with some really exciting labels turning the main square of Pop Brixton into a really great record fair. The shop will be bursting with our very best stock both old and new.
Make sure you put 21 April in your diaries. What better way to spend a day than whiling away a few hours flipping through stacks of vinyl? Give your local record store a spin this year. You won’t be disappointed.
