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Big turnout on Record Store Day shows rebirth of vinyl

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Record Store Day has definitely been hugely successful in the US and Europe in terms of marketing vinyl and raising awareness of participating record stores.

There is a downside though. The sheer scale of the event is threatening the small independent labels who have been the sole reason why vinyl still exists.

The worldwide decline in the amount of vinyl pressing plants means that, even during a quiet time of year, there is a backlog of records waiting to be pressed. Now the waiting times have become even longer as the major labels push in the queue to re-release old back catalogue.

Traditionally, the first and second quarters of the year are the quiet period when independent labels promote and release new and untried artists well away from the summer and christmas holiday major label craziness. This event has come slap bang right in the middle of that period.

Although the event barely happens in Japan it does look like it has become somewhat of a circus in the US and Europe with people queueing overnight to pick up a 'specially priced' rarity. Most of which seems to end up on internet auctions by the end of the day at 5 times the price.

Without sounding too grumpy, as an all-year-round record buyer, Record Store Day is probably the best day not to go out and buy records.

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150 stores in Japan took part in Saturday's event.

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To declare that RSD is just about vinyl is wrong. Sure - almost all special releases of vinyl seem to occur on that day, but RSD is about music, regardless of format. I have no desire to return to vinyl and no desire to gobble up the limited releases. But I do enjoy music and I see RSD as a day to celebrate music with other music lovers in a place where we can buy music in a more tangible format - something we can hold, whether it is an LP or a CD. Music buying becomes community on RSD.

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Without sounding too grumpy, as an all-year-round record buyer, Record Store Day is probably the best day not to go out and buy records.

Indeed. Most of the cool records are just for the store and friends anyway.

I love records, but I can't run fast enough from collectors-grade vinyl, special editions, and all these audiophile freaks.

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Was quite surprised that vinyl was mentioned. I have many album jackets with records inside that I brought with me fro mthe U.S. in the 1970's. Most are from the 1960's. Not in mint condition at all, but was wondering if they are of value and can be restored? Good to see the record industry having a fun day!

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