This Saturday marks Record Store Day, an annual celebration of independent record shops across the UK. 

It is an opportunity for record collectors to get their hands on exclusive vinyl pressings.

This year’s selection includes Sheffield’s very own Pulp and an exclusive recording of Def Leppard’s intimate hometown gig at the Leadmill in 2023.

The event is celebrated across 270 independent record shops in the UK, with 400 exclusive titles. 

It began in 2007 and has since become the biggest new music event of the past decade, with musicians such as Taylor Swift releasing exclusive vinyl pressings which are only available in store on the day. 

Which Sheffield Stores are participating in Record Store Day?

The three participating Sheffield retailers are:

• Bear Tree Records
• Unit 13-16, The Forum, 127 Devonshire Street, Sheffield, S3 7SB
• Record Collector
• 233 Fulwood Road, Sheffield, S10 3BA
• Spinning Discs 
• 107 to 109 Chesterfield Road, Meersbrook, Sheffield S8 0RN

Martin Black, owner of Spinning Discs, said: “For us, record store day is one of the biggest days of the year from a business point of view. We get lots of people coming in, queuing up outside the shop.

“I think last year, the first person started queuing the previous evening at 11pm ahead of us opening at 8am.

“This year and last, we set up some decks and have local people DJing. They aren’t professional DJs, just normal people who want to play some of their favourite records. It just brings people together.

“By the time we open at eight o’clock, we usually have around 40 or 50 people waiting to be let in, and it grows throughout the morning.”

Mark Elliott, manager of Record Collector said: “Record Store Day is a long-standing event which helps generate interest in the shop and music in general.”

The store has participated in every Record Store Day since they began, and they regularly attract long queues stretching down the road.

“There is a great vibe with a strong community aspect. You often see the same faces at the front of the queue each year.”

Increased popularity of vinyl records 

Vinyl records have seen a significant surge in popularity over recent years and have been included in the basket of goods used to calculate annual inflation.

Spinning Discs’ Martin noted the seven inch Noah Kahan and Olivia Rodrigo Live Lounge vinyl has been highly anticipated thanks to Kahan’s booming TikTok popularity. 

He said: “From a Sheffield point of view, Pulp’s album, Pulp Intro, is being released for the first time since it was originally pressed in 1993. This is a compilation of some of the Pulp singles, including ‘Sheffield Sex City’.

“Another one is the Def Leppard Leadmill recording. There was only a limited number of people who went to the gig and there are only around 1000 copies of this album being pressed, so that will probably be another one which is very popular for us this year.”

Martin added: “I’ve been in the queue in the past prior to starting the record shop, and I have found the queue is a great opportunity to chat and meet other collectors. 

“This might just be a Sheffield thing, but living here all my life, I have found a real sense of community through events like this.” 

Visit the Record Store Day website for a full list of this year’s exclusive releases and to find a participating store near you.

If you are attending Record Store Day in Sheffield this year, make sure to tag @Sheffield_Wire on X.