Record Store Day rollout

Record Store Day’s 2026 push is now set: Bruno Mars is this year’s ambassador, and the official April 18 release list is live. (recordstoreday.com) Record Store Day said the special titles arrive at participating stores on Saturday, April 18, and that the event is built around brick-and-mortar shops rather than direct online sales. The organization says stores order titles individually, so no shop is guaranteed to stock every release. (recordstoreday.com) Bruno Mars was announced as ambassador on January 30, and Record Store Day said he will also have an exclusive release tied to the event. Billboard reported that title as *The Collaborations*, a compilation LP tied to Mars’ 2026 campaign around *The Romantic*. (billboard.com) The official Record Store Day site says Mars urged fans to support independent stores and linked his ambassador role to in-store listening events for *The Romantic*. Billboard reported more than 200 United States stores were slated to host those advance plays in February. (recordstoreday.com) (billboard.com) This year’s list is large enough to drive the usual hunt. Yahoo reported more than 365 limited and exclusive releases are on the 2026 slate, while Record Store Day divides them into “Exclusive,” “Record Store Day First,” and “Small Run/Regional” categories. (yahoo.com) (recordstoreday.com) Some of the biggest-demand titles are already being singled out by stores and music outlets. Record Store Day’s home page is promoting Taylor Swift’s 7-inch *Elizabeth Taylor*, and shop listings describe it as a two-track single on violet glitter vinyl. (recordstoreday.com) (piccadillyrecords.com) Record Store Day’s site also says Robert Plant has been named a 2026 “Record Store Legend” and will mark April 18 with the exclusive release *Saving Grace: All That Glitters*. Separate coverage from Crescent Vale and local store previews has also flagged high-interest titles from the Grateful Dead and Charli XCX on the 2026 list. (recordstoreday.com) (crescentvale.com) (msn.com) Record Store Day began in 2007 as an effort by independent store owners and employees, and the first event was held on April 19, 2008. The organization now says it represents nearly 1,400 independently owned stores in the United States and thousands more internationally. (recordstoreday.com) The shopping rules are part of the ritual. Record Store Day says there are no pre-orders for the official releases, and any leftover stock may go online through stores starting Sunday, April 19, after the in-person event. (recordstoreday.com) That leaves April 18 looking like what Record Store Day has long tried to manufacture: a one-day rush built around scarce vinyl, artist tie-ins, and whichever local shop guessed demand correctly. (recordstoreday.com)