By Luke Hudson
RECORD SHOPS in Leeds celebrated Record Store Day 2018 on April 21.
Record Store Day is an annual event where bands and artists release special edition vinyl records which can only be purchased from independent record shops.
245 record shops will be participating in the UK with many more all across the globe coming together to celebrate vinyl records.
Crash Records
Some exclusive releases this year come from David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and even Elvis Presley.
As well as vinyl, Record Store Day are releasing limited edition turntables in partnership with manufacturer, Rega Research.
Simon Webster, Rega Research, said: “This years limited edition Record Store Day turntable is a unique hybrid of two of Rega’s most popular multi-award winning Planar turntables.
“Taking full advantage of our latest design technology, the turntable also includes a custom design mat and exclusive white platter offering premium looks and exceptional performance in a simple to use package.”
Vinyl fans in Leeds were able to get their hands on these limited edition records at Jumbo Records and Crash Records who have been a staple of Leeds’ vinyl scene for many years.
Matt Bradshaw, assistant manager at Jumbo Records said: “It is such a great day. When it started 11 years ago in the UK it was about flying the flag for independent bricks and mortar record shops and it’s just grown and grown.
“We try and throw a bit of a party and put on a bunch of our favourite bands for a free gig and often do a few special things.
“We have even had our own Jumbo Beer brewed and had it on sale in loads of pubs around Yorkshire.
“It’s a really positive thing in that every year it brings people into the shop, many who’ve never set foot in a shop like ours before and shows them the physical world still has a lot to offer. We always seem to pick up scores of new regulars too.”
Jumbo Records
A report by the British Phonographic Industry this year documented a large increase in the number of vinyl records sold in 2017.
Vinyl sales are now at their highest since 1991, even with the existence of new music streaming services.
2017 Top 10 vinyl chart
Data from the BPI showed that the top 10 records sold last year featured a mix of old and new music.
1- Ed Sheeran
2- As You Were – Liam Gallagher
3- Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
4- Guardians Of The Galaxy – Awesome mix 1 – Original Soundtrack
5- Back To Black – Amy Winehouse
6- Human – Rag’n’bone Man
7- The Dark Side Of The Moon – Pink Floyd
8- Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
9- What’s The Story Morning Glory – Oasis
10- Legacy – David Bowie
Matt Ingham, of Cherry Red Records, said: “The music industry is in a permanent state of transformation. Genuine discovery is coming from the fresh resurgence in vinyl, the robust CD market and via the burgeoning streaming platforms.”
Matt Bradshaw added: “As Jumbo Records has been around since 1971, we have seen not only every major music genre change but also everything from the effect of illegal downloading through to the tax evading of the present day.
“What we have also seen are different formats come and go, but the two things that have always sold well for us are CDs and Vinyl.
“Although many shops stopped stocking vinyl for a while we never stopped so we have always had lots of customers for it.
“I know there’s been a lot of hype around the resurgence of vinyl in the last few years but we’ve seen a steady increase over the last 10 years.
“At the moment we have a total cross section of ages buying vinyl, with a lot of older people returning to it and younger people enjoying it for the first time.”
One such younger vinyl fan, Peter Walker, 20, said: “Record Store Day is a fantastic day with great people and a buzzing atmosphere across all of the record shops in Leeds.
“We are in an era now where people can get music for free but vinyl will never go away. There will always be people who are committed to keeping the format, the stores and the community alive.”