It opens at 8am but you can bet there'll be some people camping out to be first in the queue and get their hands on those super-rare, limited edition pressings. The lineup of DJs playing in the shop isn't confirmed at the time of writing (check the website closer to the day), but as the city’s pre-eminent independent record shop it’s sure to be mobbed regardless. They predict this year’s hottest buys will be The White Stripes’ 'Get Behind Me Satan' (on red and white vinyl, naturally) and the David Bowie releases, which include a 'Changes' picture disc and a split single with Television’s Tom Verlaine.
The UK’s annual Record Store Day, which falls on Saturday April 18 this year, has done a lot to instill a love for vinyl in the digital generation and champion our independent record shops. With 200 limited edition singles and 350 albums set to hit shelves on the day, musos have been studying the list of releases like archaeologists poring over the Dead Sea Scrolls. Things haven’t gone smoothly this year, with pressing plants struggling to meet demand and indies accusing majors of co-opting RSD as a marketing ploy. Such problems suggest that the event – and vinyl itself – is transitioning from niche to mainstream, but either way it's a great opportunity to show your local record store some love. If you’re looking to be part of the action in Manchester, here’s where to go.
