Record Store Day Explainer
A pedestrian walks past the entrance to Tracks In Wax record shop, Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Phoenix. Special LP releases, live performances and at least one giant block party are scheduled around the U.S. Saturday as hundreds of shops celebrate Record Store Day amid a surge of interest in vinyl and the day after the release of Taylor Swift's latest album.
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Record Store Day celebrates independent retail music sellers who have endured long after megastores like Tower Records closed. The holiday invented at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees in 2007 will be observed Saturday. Each establishment celebrates in its own way. Most stores offer special releases of increasingly popular vinyl records with features such as extra content and beautiful covers. Others have marked the third Saturday in April with performances by local bands, food trucks, DJs and product giveaways. This year's Record Store Day comes as the popularity of vinyl LPs continues to surge.