#loverecordstores, the campaign originally launched in 2020 to raise awareness of the challenges faced by record stores during the COVID-19 pandemic has announced details of its second Love Record Stores event, supported by AIM, which will take place on Saturday 4^th September. 

Although record stores around the country continue to face a number of challenges, the music retail sector has nevertheless been on a steady upward trajectory in recent months thanks to the continued rise in popularity of vinyl.  With last year’s inaugural event delivering more than £1m in much needed revenues Love Record Stores 2021 - a celebration of the community and culture of UK’s record shops and the music fans, labels & artists that support them  - will provide a timely reason for music fans to visit and support their local record store. 

Over 220 UK independent stores will participate in Love Record Stores 2021, including HMV, and 54 new vinyl editions will be available on the day. These can be purchased instore from 9am and any remaining stocks will be available online at 9pm that evening. 

With demand for vinyl now outstripping the capacity of global pressing plants some of these releases will only be available to pre-order. They will then be mailed out fresh off the presses as soon as they are available. 

The full list of Love Record Store releases will be unveiled via the www.loverecordstores.com website at 9am on Thursday August 4^th and will include exclusive vinyl editions from among others: Arlo Parks, Mogwai, Editors, Black Pumas, Sharon Van Etten, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Low, Soundgarden, Hinds, Sonic Youth, Soulwax, Slowdive & Shame. 

This year’s participating labels will include Rock Action, Memphis Industries, ATO, Speedy Wunderground, Dead Oceans, JagJaguar, Play It Again, Sam, Sub Pop, Soul Jazz, Erased Tapes, Matador, Secretly Canadian, Heavenly, Castle Face, World Circuit, Transgressive & Ninja Tune. 

Distributors involved in this year’s event include ADA, Cargo, Forte, The Orchard, Republic of Music & [Integral] Music Services. 

The #loverecordstores campaign, which was founded by Jason Rackham, Annelise Keestra, Jeff Barrett, Andy Saunders, Rupert Morrison and Tony Crean, was awarded IMPALA’s ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’ in 2020 and has been awarded the ‘Indie Champion Award’ at the 2021 AIM Awards as well as being nominated for the ‘Music Consumer Innovation Award’ at the 2021 Music Week Awards. 

Jason Rackham, co-founder of #loverecordstores and UK Managing Director of [PIAS] said, “Love Record Stores 2021 is a celebration of the UK’s Record Stores. From Land’s End to the Shetland Isles we encourage music fans to go record shopping on the 4^th of September to help support the stores. Go in, say hi, buy vinyl, have a coffee, get to the know the wonderful people that own and run the stores. They are such an important part of the rich fabric of the music industry and they should be celebrated.” 

Love Record Stores 2021 Ambassador and Domino recording artist Georgia added, “September 4th is the day!! The Love Record Stores list of exclusive vinyl products is out so you can start saving your £££s now and go and support our best and most beloved cultural institution- the record store! From Savage Gary, to Arlo Parks to Shame From Black Country, New Road to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, there’s so much to get excited about. This last year or so has been tough for us all, especially for our independent shops and we’ve got to be there to help our musical community in whatever way we can. Buy a record for yourself- you deserve it! Buy a record for a friend, for a fan, for your little brother… a good record can change someone’s life forever!”