My First Time
Today (12th April 2025) I participated in my first Record Store Day, having collected vinyl records for a number of years. I'm a little embarrassed that it has taken me this long.
One thing is for certain though. I will 100% be taking part again. The whole experience was brilliant and really well organised.
I knew what Record Store Day was before today. Over the last couple of years I'd had a look at the lists in passing but had never taken it to seriously. This year was different however.
Once the list was released in February. I was instantly drawn towards a couple of releases and had a couple on my 'maybe' list.
The re-release of the Oasis singles collection 'Time Flies' and the Sam Fender 'Me and the Dog' EP which featured two brand new tracks. Really caught my eye.
Blur's 'Magic Whip' and Johnny Marr's 'Look Out Live!' were ear marked as potential maybes if I couldn't get what I wanted.
After looking on the Record Store Day website. https://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/
I found that a store local to me, that I had bought from before 'Eclipse Records' were taking part. On Saturday 5th April, I popped in to say hello and ask more about the day. Pete, Ellie and the team were super helpful and told me what to expect on the day, asking me what I was after and providing tips and tricks. They were also able to answer any questions that I had. Anything I had forgotten to ask was answered on their social media and website.
Armed with a host of new knowledge and a rough game plan. I booked half a day off work on Friday 11th April, got myself an early night and set an alarm for 03:00 on Saturday morning.
I arrived at the shop just after 04:00 after a quick coffee pit stop. Joining the already 20 strong queue. Eclipse Records is housed within a much larger building. Just before 05:00 the doors to the building opened and I was handed a ticket, and a list of the stock they had in stock.
I was 24th in the queue, this would be important at 08:00 when the shop was able to start selling. Upon being handed the list, myself and the other early birds were told to tick our choices, note down our ticket number and name.
I ticked my two choices 'Time Flies' and 'Me and the Dog' and handed my sheet back. Now it was a waiting game.
Some breakfast and another coffee was consumed. Then people began to queue. Ready for when the shop could start officially selling at 08:00. At around 08:35 I was called through to the shop. On the counter were the two records I ticked, I paid wished them a good weekend and that was that.
I cannot fault the team at 'Eclipse Records' they know what they are doing and even those who couldn't get everything they wanted would not have been disappointed. When things had been allocated and stock was out, this was communicated. It ran really smoothly. Everyone was really looked after
The whole event had a really nice atmosphere to, with people sharing their record wishlist's, talking about music, concerts, future gig plans and their record collections. Everyone I met and spoke to was super friendly. We were all there for the same reasons, it was super refreshing. Their were people of all ages, backgrounds and each had their own story.
It's worth mentioning the team within The Crossing at St. Paul's in Walsall who opened earlier to make sure everyone was well fed and hydrated and we had somewhere warm and comfy to sit. It definitely made things easier.
It was a successful morning for me, managing to get both of the records I'd been aiming for.
My only disappointment is in myself. Why have I not done this sooner! I will definitely be doing it again next year and in the meantime I'll be using 'Eclipse Records' more.
Beyond the Grooves was originally built on my love of vinyl records, even the name! With the website, it is a subject I have put on the back burner a little but I think that will change.
Thank you for reading
Jack