Record Store Day (RSD) is a semi-annual event, typically held on a Saturday in April and Black Friday in November. Its primary goal is to celebrate the local and independent record stores in the music community. A variety of special vinyl and CD releases, often limited editions, are made exclusively for the day and are only available at participating independent record stores.
The first Record Store Day took place on April 19th, 2008, and was created as a way to celebrate the people who make up the “record store world,” including shop owners, listeners, and the artists themselves.
This year, Record Store Day took place on Saturday, April 12th. At most record stores around Tucson, people began lining up before the sun had even risen, aiming to get their hands on some of the day’s exclusive releases. By the time the store I was at opened at 7:00 a.m., the line had grown to stretch around the building. More popular stores like Zia Records tend to draw larger crowds, while smaller shops such as Desert Island Records often have fewer people and a better chance of finding specific releases.
Gracie Abrams, Taylor Swift, George Harrison, Charli XCX, David Bowie, Ariana Grande, and Fleetwood Mac were just a few of the big-name artists with special releases on Saturday. The wide range of artists spans different genres, from rock to musical theater, and across all generations, showing how Record Store Day continues to bring together all kinds of music fans from varying communities. Whether it was a picture disk, a colored pressing, or a single 7-inch record, there was something for everyone rushing into the doors.
Special record releases, often purchased at an average sale price of $30–$50, can significantly increase in value over time. One notable example is Taylor Swift’s 2017 Record Store Day releases, all three featuring colored vinyl, which have become highly sought after and can sell for several thousand dollars as of 2025. These records are not only collected for enjoyment but can also serve as valuable investments.
There’s something special about being in a space where everyone shares the same passion. Surrounded by people who love music and those who get it, get it. It’s always great to see strangers striking up conversations over favorite albums, swapping recommendations, or simply chatting about what they’re hoping to leave with.
Record Store Day plays a huge role in supporting independent record shops and keeping the vinyl industry thriving. The hype surrounding the day, including the exclusive releases, long lines, and early morning crowds, brings in a surge of business that many small stores rely on. For many shops, it’s one of the biggest days of the year, and it creates a buzz that helps keep the culture of record collecting alive, proving that in a digital age, physical music and media still matter. If you like music, collecting vinyl, or are simply interested, check out your local record store the next time RSD comes around!
