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What is Record Store Day? A tribute to the independent record store

Record Store Day, often simply abbreviated to RSD, is the absolute highlight of the year for everyone who loves the sound of a needle hitting the groove. Since its beginning, the day has grown into a global phenomenon celebrating the culture surrounding independent record stores. The purpose is simple: to support “indie” stores and preserve the unique experience of digging through physical crates of LPs. At iMusic, we’re proud to be an active part of this community, each year opening our doors to musicians, fans, and collectors for an international celebration dedicated to analog music.

If you’re curious, you can still find a huge selection of Record Store Day LPs released over the years at iMusic.

The ultimate day for record collectors and vinyl enthusiasts

For serious vinyl enthusiasts and dedicated record collectors, Record Store Day 2026 is like Christmas Eve and a birthday rolled into one. What makes the day truly special is the many exclusive vinyl releases that are only issued in connection with the event. These range from reissues of forgotten classics and rare live recordings to brand-new albums and colorful special editions.

For many collectors, owning a limited vinyl release from this year’s RSD list is the ultimate trophy. Because these LP releases are often produced in very limited quantities, a unique sense of excitement and community forms in the queue outside the store early in the morning. A vibe we feel every year at RSD at iMusic.

Experience RSD 2026 at iMusic: From an in-store event to a major online sale

The concept behind Record Store Day is built on the “Indie First” principle. This means the sought-after RSD titles can initially only be sold physically in independent record stores on the day itself. At iMusic, we celebrate this with a full-on day in our physical store, where the most dedicated fans get the first chance to get their hands on the rare releases.

If you’re not able to make it to the store, or if you’re looking for titles that didn’t sell out in the early hours, we’ve made it easy for you. After RSD 2026 has wrapped up in-store, an extensive RSD online sale follows at iMusic. Here, we list the remaining copies on our webshop, so collectors across the country can get hold of the coveted LPs and complete their collection from home.

RSD Black Friday: The year’s mini-RSD

Even though the main event takes place in the spring, collectors don’t have to wait a whole year for the next big fix. The RSD Black Friday concept works as an annual “mini-RSD” in the fall. A new lineup of exclusive titles and exciting limited vinyl in small quantities is released. You can find the latest RSD Black Friday 2025 vinyl here.

RSD Black Friday is the perfect counterpart to the usual consumer frenzy, and at iMusic we mark it with the same enthusiasm as the main event. Whether it’s spring or fall, the message is clear: vinyl lives on - and iMusic is your destination for the most unique music experiences.