While it seems we're quickly emerging from the COVID-19 enforced lockdown, we still need to adjust and adhere to social distancing restrictions in the coming months. There is still work for all of us to do.
Record Store Day is no exception. After postponing their 2020 event to 20 June, Record Store Day will now proceed across three release days (29 August, 26 September and 24 October) billed as RSD Drops.Each date will feature its own list of limited-edition records. "As we work our way through virus world, we have all had to adapt to survive and Record Store Day is no different.
"We had originally planned for our usual third Saturday in April, to be moved to June and now we're saying. . . here's a new plan and we're going social distancing."
Each RSD Drops release day will be tailored to whatever social distancing restrictions remain in place. "These RSD Drop days are designed to help you add to your collection in the safest way possible.
"They will be tailored to suit whatever conditions we need to follow at the time: online, email or phone orders, kerbside pick-up, back door pick-up, home delivery, in store. . . whatever the store can do that's responsible and safe according to our governments."
This means normal Record Store Day traditions like live music, beer and queuing from 4am hanging with likeminded music nuts will need to be paused this year. "Yes, we are devastated at this too. Heavy hearts amongst the team here."
Record Store Day releases will only be available from physical bricks and mortar indie stores where recorded music is a significant part of their business. No record fair stalls, no pop-ups, no chains.
