HermitudeNext weekend, Record Store Day returns, with numerous stores across the country participating. Plenty of exclusives will be available – including Australian releases – and today, an impressive list of national in-store performances has been revealed.
Among the highlights are hip-hop duo Hermitude, who are set to visit eight record stores in NSW in 24 hours. Celebrating the release of their new album, EIGHT, fans will see the Aussie group in locations from the Blue Mountains to Bondi, either offering live performances or limited-edition vinyl raffles.
Also in NSW, indie rockers EGOISM are promoting their RSD release, Trust Me, at Bondi Records and TITLE store. At Badlands Vinyl, Media Puzzle will showcase their RSD release, New Racehorse.
In Victoria, free and all-ages shows are the theme. Alt-country singer Queenie will take over Desert Highways, while Rocksteady Records will be home to performances by Nat Pavlovic and Merpire, among others.
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Soundmerch is hosting a day-long live music celebration, featuring sets from Public Figures, Owelu Dreamhouse, The Antics, The Gnomes, and more. Kee’ahn, Mokomokai, and Steppers will perform at Northside Records, which will also host an exclusive signing from Baker Boy.
In Queensland, Echo and Bounce will be home to performances from Das Druid and Bradley Zero, while Adelaide’s My Dead Grandpa will host live DJs all day long. Meanwhile, in Tasmania, Suffragette Records will feature an intimate performance from Naomi Keyte.
They’re just some of the highlights taking place across Australia for this year’s celebrations of all things record stores. You can find a full list of events on the Record Store Day Australia website.
Record Store Day Australia takes place on Saturday, 18 April. Punters will need to arrive early to get their hands on exclusive releases and also experience everything the day has to offer. If you miss out on the day, online sales of remaining items will commence on Monday, 20 April, at 9 am AEST via participating stores.
While there are plenty of international records highlighted at this year’s event, Australian artists are also bringing out RSD exclusives. Empire of the Sun, Kee’ahn, Holy Holy, Spacey Jane, EGOISM, Saint Ergo, Ruel, Bluey, and others will have exclusive releases at participating stores.
This year’s Record Store Day comes at a time when music fans have expressed a craving for tangible, physical media in an era of streaming. A recent report from ARIA discovered that Australia’s recorded music market continued its ascent last year, with demand for physical formats increasing by 11%. CD sales have increased by 30%, while vinyl purchases continue to rise.
Addressing the growth of RSD and the importance of highlighting the local music ecosystem, Record Store Day Australia Director, Sarah Guppy, commented in a statement:
“At its heart, Record Store Day Australia is about championing our local music ecosystem, supporting independent stores, labels, and artists, while helping them reach new audiences,” Guppy said.
She continued, “Taking on the role of Director for Record Store Day Australia has been incredibly meaningful. Having worked in the music industry my entire career, my main goal has been to reconnect the event as a celebration of the people who make independent record stores so special. It’s about creating a space where artists, customers, and communities come together to honour the culture, creativity, and connection that only these stores offer.
“We want to see the event continue to grow each year and strengthen the role these stores play in their communities, ensuring they remain vital cultural spaces for years to come.”
