Fingering your way through crate after crate of vinyl discs in search of that one final piece of sonic perfection that's been eluding your otherwise complete collection of cherished LPs is a lot like hunting for Easter eggs, just way more gratifying to the eardrums. So, it makes sense that this year's Record Store Day – Saturday April 19th – falls on Easter weekend. And should avid rekkid collectors find themselves in London for this momentously musical occasion, they'll be in for a treat!
London's indie record store mecca of Soho will see a range of festivities to celebrate Record Store Day with free outdoor performances, along with retailers hosting in-store activities throughout the day and more. Area record stores will open at 8 o'clock in the morning with DJs, music quizzes and parties throughout the day along with an open air market along Berwick Street with plenty of foodie treats and shops without direct musical connections joining in on the fun with discounts and special offers.
Most of the festivities will take place in and around Berwick Street, a destination for vinyl record collectors since the 1980’s and home to central London’s largest concentration of independently owned record shops. Check it out:
Reckless Records
30 Berwick Street W1F 8RH
Specialising in rock, pop, soul, dance, jazz, punk and reggae, this place is a collector's dream and claims to “pay the most cash and offer the highest trade credit you'll find anywhere.” More at reckless.co.uk.
Sister Ray Records
34 Berwick Street, W1F 8RP
Named after the classic Velvet Underground song, Sister Ray is home to hard-to-find recordings, cult hits and must-have eclectic favourites. Visit the shop online at sisterray.co.uk.
The Music and Video Exchange
95 Berwick Street, W1F 0QG
Established in 1967, this is London's only chain of second hand specialist shops for all your retro, comix and vinyl needs. The Berwick Street location is famed for its rock, indie, hip hop, soul and house selections. Details at mgeshops.com.
Sounds of the Universe
7 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DA
This record shop is associated with Soul Jazz Records and features one of world's largest selections of reggae, dubstep, jazz, house, disco, funk and soul, Brazilian, Latin, African and world beats in the UK. More at soundsoftheuniverse.com.
Black Market Records
25 D'Arblay Street, W1F 8EJ
BM Soho is London's longest running independent dance music record store and specialises in house, drum n bass and dubstep. Find out more at bm-soho.com.
Phonica
51 Poland Street, W1F 7LZ
London's “premier dance emporium” and one of the UK's hottest dance labels, Phonica is one of the city's most popular spots for vinyl shopping. View the shop's website at phonicarecords.com.
Find out more about Record Store Day at recordstoreday.co.uk and Berwick Street at berwickstreetlondon.co.uk.
Photo: karl frankowski
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