When is Record Store Day 2024? How independent stores are celebrating RSD in metro Phoenix

Ed Masley, Arizona Republic
Updated ·6 min read

Are you ready for Record Store Day 2024?

The annual celebration is back for its 17th year on Saturday, April 20, taking place at independent brick-and-mortar record stores around the world, including many here in metro Phoenix.

This year’s Global Record Store Day Ambassador is Paramore, who celebrated the occasion and the record store itself on the Record Store Day website.

“The discovery of music was always meant to be romantic,” they wrote. “Indie record shops are some of the only spaces we’ve got that offer a tangible, tactile experience of music discovery.

"In this world that feels more disconnected and hostile than ever, it feels important to remain in touch (literally) with what inspires us, empowers us or simply brings us joy. Thankfully, for all our sakes, there still survives among the chaos, the purity and radical simplicity of a great record store.”

Here's everything you need to know about Record Store Day 2024 in metro Phoenix.

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Metro Phoenix stores participating in Record Store Day 2024

Here’s a full list of participating stores in metro Phoenix:

Arizona stores participating in Record Store Day 2024

These stores around Arizona are taking part in RSD:

Record Store Day releases

A wide array of titles will hit record stores on Saturday, April 20. There are three categories of releases:

  • Exclusives: These titles are physically released only at independent record stores.

  • RSD First: These titles will hit indie record stores on RSD Black Friday but may be released to other retailers or web stores in the future.

  • Limited run/regional focus: These titles are either regionally based and sold at specific stores, or are press runs under 1,000, which means they may be harder to find around the country.

What to expect on Record Store Day at ZIA Records

Zia has numerous Record Store Day events planned, including an in-store performance by Chicano Batman at the Bethany Home Road location.

All stores will open at 7 a.m. on Saturday, stocking hundreds of RSD releases as well as limited-edition Record Store Day merchandise including the ZIA Record Store Day T-shirt, a reusable cup, a 45 adapter, a hot dog stress squish toy, a record friend wind-up toy and more.

Here's the schedule:

Zia Records at 6135 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix

  • 1:30 p.m.: Chicano Batman in-store performance.

  • 3-6 p.m.: DJ Johnny Volume.

Zia Records at 3201 S. Mill Ave., Tempe

  • 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.: Majestic Cinema Grill giveaways.

  • Noon-3 p.m.: DJ Davina.

  • 4-7 p.m.: DJ Grassy Noel.

Zia Records at 2510 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix

  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: DJ Galactic Turkey.

  • 1-3 p.m.: DJ Larue.

  • 3-5 p.m.: DJ Bad Buddhist.

Zia Records at 3029 N. Alma School Road, Chandler

  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: DJ Jules Quimby.

  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Terror Trader "The Shining" photo op.

  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Majestic Cinema Grill giveaways.

Zia Records at 1302 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa

  • 10 a.m.-noon: DJ Lou Dream.

  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Majestic Cinema Grill giveaways.

  • Noon-2 p.m.: DJ Scatterbrain.

  • 2-4 p.m.: DJ Mitch Freedom.

What to expect on Record Store Day at Stinkweeds

Stinkweeds will open at 8 a.m. Saturday and set up in the parking lot with hundreds of RSD releases, a huge collectible used LP drop, nourishment and coffee from SoJo's Donuts, a live DJ set from Grassy Noel, limited edition RSD Stinkweeds shirt and button, on-site button printing and swag from Hello Merch, pop-ups from local labels Moone Records and SlyVinyl, and more.

See the full list of RSD products at stinkweeds.com, where you'll also find frequently asked questions.

Details: 12 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-248-9461.

What to expect on Record Store Day at The 'In' Groove

The 'In' Groove plans to carry all the RSD exclusives and open early at 8 a.m. Sales manager Vivian Montiel says, "We usually have a line around the block. We do a livestream. It's, like, a big deal for us here. It's always a good time."

Details: 3300 N. 24th St., Phoenix. 602-957-2453.

Alice Cooper guitarist Michael Bruce at Asylum Records on RSD

Asylum Records will have a meet and greet with Michael Bruce, a founding member of the Alice Cooper group, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The store has ordered all the RSD exclusives and opens early at 7 a.m. For the benefit of those who line up early, 13-year-old alt-pop singer Piper Connelly will be doing an acoustic set outside from 6-7 a.m.

Details: 2990 N. Alma School Road, Suite 5, Chandler. 480-964-6301.

What to expect on Record Store Day at Candy & Records

Candy & Records is having a party at 9 a.m. Saturday with live music, from acoustic jams to hardcore punk, by local artists Southern Gait, Dominic Robert, Tactless, Lifesize Monsters, Without a Doubt, Burgundy Jerk, Troglodyte Dawn, DJ Donnie James Rio, AmBRO, 20 Ft Neon Jesus, Something Outrageous, Dirty Hairy, the Cadaver Dabba Doos and FAYP.

As the store notes on its Facebook page, in all caps for obvious reasons, "RECORD STORE DAY 2024 IS GOING TO BE LIT!!"

In addition to carrying RSD 2024 titles, the store will offer deals on music, free RSD swag while supplies last, food, fun and prizes.

Details: 9402 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-312-4805.

What to expect on Record Store Day at the Record Room

In addition to carrying RSD releases, the Record Room will hold a storewide sale. Everything is 20% off. DJ Sonic Moronic will be there spinning vinyl for your listening pleasure as you shop. The store opens at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Details: 2601 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix. 602-460-0040.

What will be released for Record Store Day 2024?

The Record Store Day website has a comprehensive list of this year's titles. These releases are among the highlights:

  • A Talking Heads live release from late 1977.

  • An early version of David Bowie’s iconic "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" called "Waiting in the Sky (Before the Starman Came to Earth)."

  • A Blur "Parklife" picture disc.

  • The Replacements live in 1986.

  • De La Soul live at Tramp's in 1996.

  • Sister Rosetta Tharpe live in 1966.

  • The Weeknd's first live album.

  • Limited-edition pressings of new albums by Neil Young & Crazy Horse and Pearl Jam.

Are all Record Store Day releases at every store?

No, of course not. Selection will vary from store to store, depending on what they think their customers want. Each store makes its own decisions as far as what titles to order.

Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EdMasley.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Record Store Day 2024: How Zia and other stores are celebrating RSD