Love Record Stores announce online ‘party’ this Saturday

Artists across the globe are combining forces on Saturday 20th June to form a 24-hour long event, Love Record Stores. Supporting 130 struggling record stores through the pandemic, performances include Laura Marling, Fontaines D.C., Fatboy Slim and Four Tet along with many others.

After the postponement of Record Store Day due to Covid-19, panic set in amongst independent music companies. There is now an uncertain future for shops, venues and artists, battling a financial crisis. In an overwhelming response, a new campaign began in March, labelled #LoveRecordStores. Their most recent announcement is a new form of Record Store Day, taking place electronically.

Set your alarms to 9am Saturday morning; evinyls, both new and reissued, are set for release on the Love Record Stores website for purchase. In a 24-hour party, a number of artists will also be streaming DJ sets, live Q&As, readings and releasing new music in support of this amazing cause.

Radiohead, Robyn, Caribou, Tim Burgess and Jack Garrett are just some of the big names that are getting involved, and a stream of a 2019 set from the late Andrew Weatherall will also feature. Throughout the event, there will be donations to #SaveOurVenues, the Covid-19 Relief Fund and Black Lives Matter.

Despite the radiating positivity that the Love Record Stores brand exudes, this is a serious cause. Furthermore, it is a really important step for music lovers across the globe. There is hope that the money raised through online purchases could save a number of high street shops. So I urge you to get involved this weekend, and treat yourself to a shiny new vinyl.

Words by Harriet Fisk

Originally published at https://www.indiependent.co.uk on June 18, 2020.