What you need to know about Record Store Day Australia on August 29th

“The pandemic will not stop us!” declare Record Store Day Australia organisers.

Since its inception in 2008, Record Store Day has long been a staple in any music fan’s year. Hosted in 26 countries around the world, the day commemorates independent record stores with the release of limited edition records, live music, and more.

2020, however, has been a difficult year for the event’s organisers with RSD’s regular April date being pushed back to June, only to be pushed back once more to August.

In response to the current pandemic, organisers have devised a calendar-distanced drop system to spread the exclusive RSD releases across several months. The first drop is coming up on August 29th. The second drop is scheduled for September 26th, followed by the final drop on October 24th.

The RSD Drop will work differently across Australia, as different COVID-19 measures are in place.

Adelaide’s iconic hip hop store Clinic 116 will provide live DJ sets in store.

Sydney’s Sounds Espresso on Marrickville will offer coffee and socially distanced browsing.

Brisbane’s Sonic Sherpa will open early on the day, with a one-way system for customers to stay COVID safe.

Fremantle’s Junction Records will heartily offer a 10% discount on records (new and secondhand) as well as 20% off all CDs.

For those in Melbourne, however, Record Store Day will take place online with a contactless pick up at an independent record store within 5km of home. In fact, Australia gained special permission from the US organisers of Record Store Day to sell RSD Drop records online.

As always, there will be exclusive, limited edition records, released by record companies; the difference being that this year these releases will be made available across three days.

More information can be found at Record Store Day Australia’s website.

Ed Hirst

I'm either listening to music, writing about music, or writing my own music! Keep up to date with my latest projects @edhirsty