Record Store Day events tomorrow

Record Store Day hits U.S. shops on Saturday, April 18, with limited vinyl releases and store-run events that start early and, in some cities, before dawn. (recordstoreday.com) The official Record Store Day site says releases are sold through participating brick-and-mortar stores, not through Record Store Day itself, and stores choose their own orders from this year’s list. Pre-orders are not part of the program, and leftover copies may go online starting Sunday, April 19. (recordstoreday.com) Record Store Day began after a 2007 meeting of independent record-store owners and employees, and the first event was held on April 19, 2008. The organization now says it involves nearly 1,400 independently owned stores in the United States and thousands more internationally. (recordstoreday.com) This year’s official release list runs to more than 350 titles, split into “Exclusive,” “First,” and “Small Run/Regional” categories. The official rules also mean no store is guaranteed to have every title, even if it is a participating shop. (recordstoreday.com) Some of the higher-profile 2026 titles come with tight production numbers. The Cure’s *Greatest Hits* is listed as a 7,300-copy Record Store Day exclusive, while *Acoustic Hits* is listed at 7,200 copies. (recordstoreday.com 1) (recordstoreday.com 2) Taylor Swift’s listed title is a 7-inch single for “Elizabeth Taylor,” and the official release page says it includes two tracks and collectible cover art. Pavement’s *Perfect Sound Forever* returns as a white-vinyl 10-inch repress, and Suede’s *Coming Up At The BBC* is listed as a 1,500-copy exclusive. (recordstoreday.com 1) (recordstoreday.com 2) (recordstoreday.com 3) In Chicago, WBEZ reported that more than three dozen area shops are planning events, with 10 stores highlighted for live bands, DJ sets, raffles, discounts and early openings. Beverly Records is opening at 8 a.m., and Dusty Groove is scheduled to open at 7 a.m. on Saturday. (wbez.org) WBEZ said Beverly Records will offer 20% off used vinyl and host a ceremonial needle drop tied to Goodman Theatre’s *Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom*. Bridgeport Records is planning live DJ sets, while Dusty Groove is advertising free gifts, coffee, donut holes and Sunday sales for unsold Record Store Day stock. (wbez.org) Chicago’s broader scene extends beyond the official list. Third Coast Review wrote that Record Store Day is often the biggest sales day of the year for shops, but also noted that some stores skip the official program because of costs and still use the weekend to run their own events and promotions. (thirdcoastreview.com) In Miami, the official Record Store Day in-store listings show Sweat Records among the participating shops with an April 18 event. Miami New Times published a city guide for Saturday’s celebrations, underscoring how the day now functions as both a release drop and a local live-event calendar. (recordstoreday.com) (miaminewtimes.com) For shoppers, the practical rule is simple: show up early, ask your local store what it actually ordered, and expect first-come, first-served bins on April 18. The official site’s advice is even simpler: start with a participating store, because that is where this year’s records are supposed to be. (recordstoreday.com)