Overview
The pitch black, circular foundation on which today's music industry was built, has long been forsaken, considered as the folly of hipsters and hardcore traditionalists alone. Well, we call bullshit. Does scrolling new releases on Apple Music compare to flicking through real, physical records? Does sharing a playlist on Spotify create a vibrant and unique culture around music like the social and cultural hub of a record store does? We think not.
So come April 16, a tradition will be invoked, one which started in America in 2008 and has since involved thousands of record stores globally. This is Independent Record Store Day, where stores around the world host special live performances, album releases, meet and greets, and much more, all celebrating the value of the good ol' fashioned, brick and mortar music outlets. Several of New Zealand's most iconic stores will be involved, including Conch, Vinyl Countdown, Southbound Records and Real Groovy, so for the love of good music get your dancing shoes on and get involved.