a guide to NYC #RSD2016 in-store performances, special events (and free beer)
Record Store Day is Saturday (4/16) and, as in previous years, many NYC stores are offering more than just RSD2016 exclusive titles to get customers in the doors. There are free performances, guest DJs, and even some free booze at some places. So even if you don’t have a turntable there may be something for you on Saturday. Here’s a roundup of what we found going on:
The biggest event this year by far happens at Rough Trade where they’ll have free performances from bands all day long. The store opens at 9 AM on RSD with live performances from Max Jury (noon), Wall (1 PM), Jesca Hoop (2 PM), Nothing (3 PM), The Fleshtones (4 PM) and Mr. Lif (5 PM). Eli Paperboy Reed will DJ starting at 10 AM. More info here.
Just a few blocks away at the new location of Halcyon Records (in the same building as Output), they’ll be hosting an all-day/night party that goes from 10 AM – 4 AM, with a different DJ every hour, including sets from Eli Escobar, Miguel Senquiz (Ghostly), and Ryan Crosson (Visionquest). The 5-8 PM DJ sets will be broacast on be-at.tv as part of a global RSD broadcast. Halcyon is also a bar/cafe and anyone who spends $50 or more in the shop gets a free can of Nine Pin Cider.
More Brooklyn: Academy Annex will be open from 10 AM – 8 PM and will have free stumptown coffee for folks in line that morning. They’re also planning to have a few in-store performances TBA. Captured Tracks shop will be open from noon – 10 PM and carrying a selection of RSD exclusives; Ear Wax in Williamsburg will be open from 10:30 AM – 9 PM; Vinyl Fantasy in Bushwick will be open 2-6 PM and carrying select RSD titles; and while Record Grouch in Greenpoint won’t be carrying any RSD titles, there are always great finds there and they’ll be open noon – 8 PM.
Permanent Records, which left Greenpoint for South Slope almost two years ago, will be open from noon – 7 PM and, while they aren’t stocking any RSD exclusives, will have free giveaways throughout the day for customers.
In Manhattan, Other Music will be open 10 AM – 8 PM. No in-store performances this year, but Nate Hun, Khmer vinyl collector and associate producer of documentary Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten, will be playing rare ’60s/’70s-era Cambodian rock from the film’s soundtrack (which is a RSD2016 exclusive) straight from the original 7″s, and other records from his extensive collection from 4 – 7 PM.
Right around the corner from OM, In Living Stereo will be open at 9:30 AM and will carry lots of RSD exclusives. They’ve also got the band Sweet Things playing at 1 PM and, like usual, there’ll be a tub of free PBRs. Also their upstairs used section is great.
Terrific but tiny East Village store Turntable Lab will be open at 10 AM and have guest DJs spinning all day (lineup TBA) and there’s also a store-wide 15% off sale on all non-RSD items on Saturday. One of the coolest things about Turntable Lab is they make a PDF checklist of all their RSD exclusives they have. Bring it with you to the store and fill it out, and they’ll take it while you’re in line and by the time you get to the counter, they’ll have your items ready. That PDF will be available here on Friday, April 15.
Another East Village store, Good Records, will open at noon on Saturday and will carry a just a few RSD2016 titles but have stockpiled a bunch of used LPs just for the occasion.
Sadly, Record Store Day will be the final day in business for reggae/dancehall/ska/etc store Deadly Dragon Sound who lost their lease (but are looking to open elsewhere). Go visit, and buy a couple of their thousands of 7″s.
Generation Records in the Village will be open at 10 AM and will host free in-store performances by Monogold and Seaside Caves. Live music starts at 2:30 PM.
Generation Records is also an official stop on something called the Record Store Crawl happening on Saturday. For $59.95 you’ll be taken around to “some of NYC’s greatest record stores” and the band Bear Hands will play at some point on the crawl. That 60 bucks will also get you:
-A Rough Trade slipmat
-Mystery Record Store Day Vinyl LP from the past, present or future.
-Official Record Store Day 2016 tote bag
-15% off non-RSD titles at Bleecker Street Records
-Open Bar and $1 tacos at Baby’s All Right
-Limited edition Led Zeppelin gift pack including a vinyl LP, stickers, buttons, + more
-Chance to Win Prizes including Master & Dynamics MH40 headhones, test pressings and signed vinyl
-KIND Snacks throughout the day
-15% off non-RSD titles at Generation Records
If this sounds like something you want to do, tickets for the Record Store Crawl are on sale now.
If you find yourself in the West Village and need Madonna or Pet Shop Boys rarities, Record Runner is now and forever your spot, and the overstuffed closet that is Rebel Rebel remains a haven for UK imports and obscure ’80s alt-pop vinyl as if John Hughes was still making teen films.
Over in New Jersey, the great Vintage Vinyl will be open at 8 AM and they’re stocking a big selection of RSD exclusives.
What else?
