Record Store Day 2023: Rough Trade live events announced as Taylor Swift and Bjork top exclusive releases

In-store live performances have been announced for Record Store Day this month in London.

The day will see fans across the country queueing early in the morning for exclusive releases by artists including Taylor Swift, Bjork and The 1975.

Record Store Day, first celebrated in 2008, is an annual event which aims to support the culture of independently owned record stores.

Shops taking part in the capital include Rough Trade East and West, which will be putting on full bills of live performances from 11am on April 22

Emily Waller, UK head of brand and content at Rough Trade, said: “We welcome a varied live music programme across our stores this Record Store Day and we're delighted to announce the initial line-up of artists set to hit Rough Trade stages on the Saturday.

“It's always a great day, a celebratory atmosphere and there's always a new band or artist to discover.

“This is what Record Store Day is about for us - getting our community together, old and new, enjoying music and recognising the unique influence independent record stores have within our culture.”

Record Store Day releases 2023

The full Record Store Day release list can be found at the official website. Highlights include:

Taylor Swift - folklore: the long pond studio sessions

A Record Store Day exclusive grey double LP. Taylor Swift's folklore was recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown - and Taylor and her collaborators were never able to play the album together until the Long Pond Studio Sessions in September 2020. This is the first time "folklore: the long pond studio sessions'' will be available on vinyl. Recorded live, the album features Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner (The National), Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver).

Björk - Ovule (Sega Bodega Remix) / Atopos (sideproject Remix)

Reversible two-image sleeve featuring Nick Knight and Vidar Logi imagery with black metallic hotfoil lettering designed by M/M Paris and crystal clear vinyl.

The Slits - (Un)Cut - The Demos And Alternative Mixes

A first outing on vinyl for pioneering producer Dennis Bovell’s “rough mixes” of Cut, previously unearthed as part of the research for 2009’s anniversary CD Deluxe Edition of the album.

Jorja Smith and Joy Orbison - Rose Rouge

Joy Orbison stamps his sound across Jorja Smith’s version of Rose Rouge. Limited run of heavyweight etched black vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day.

DIIV - Live at the Murmrr Theatre

Live recording of the one-night-only DIIV Unplugged show at Murmrr Theatre in Brooklyn on August 17, 2017. Mixed by Jarvis Taveniere and mastered by Alex DeTurk. Includes unique arrangements of songs off DIIV's first two albums (Oshin and Is The Is Are), as well as covers of My Bloody Valentine and Alex G.

Live at Rough Trade

Here are the line-ups for Rough Trade in London:

Rough Trade East, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, Shoreditch

11am – Oscar Lang

12pm – Unflirt

1pm– Lea Sen

2pm– Caitlin Rose

3pm – Songer

pm – Liela Moss

5pm – dodie

6pm – TBC

7pm – Special Guest Performance

Rough Trade West, Talbot Road, off Portobello Road, Notting Hill

11am – Caitlin Rose

12pm – Symposium

1pm – Oracle Sisters

2pm – Master Peace

3pm – Oldboy

Merch and beer

Rough Trade has collaborated with British artist James Jarvis to design a T-shirt and tote bag that will be made available at stores nationwide. Jarvis began his career drawing adverts for Slam City Skates, an east London skateboard store, in the early ‘90s and is best known for his character-based artwork.

Signature Brew and Rough Trade have joined forces to produce a bespoke beer. The In Session Hefehelles was brewed at the Blackhorse Road Brewery London with help from Rough Trade team members.

Alexis, a brewer at Signature Brew, described the bespoke beer as “a classic helles style lager with a cheeky hefeweizen twist. Crisp and refreshing at its core, slightly malt forward in character with a light fruity and spicy finish”.

Rough Trade competition

Ahead of Record Store Day, music fans are being given a chance to win a year's subscription to Rough Trade Club.

The competition winner will win a 12-month membership, as well as a Black Wax’ Coffee Box by roasting Dark Arts and a Pub in a Box from Signature Brewery.

Rough Trade Club is usually available to customers for £30 a month for LPs or £15 a month for CDs, and includes a copy of its album of the month, access to free domestic shipping, and exclusive access to live events and online sales.

For a chance to win a year’s subscription to Rough Trade Club, customers can sign up by entering their email addresses here.