Tuning in to Record Store Day in Delco
Get the record needle ready because on Saturday it’s all about the vinyl.
New and old aficionados of records and turntables are sure to be found lining up outside of places like Vinyl Revival in Lansdowne for Record Store Day, a nationally celebrated day that celebrates businesses who sell the ‘78s, 7-inch singles and everything in between and the people who help boost these businesses and contribute to a growing resurgence in the format.
“I love Record Store Day not only because of the fun, exclusive releases that come out, but especially because it helps bring a large group of vinyl lovers to the store at one time,” said Vinyl Revival owner Andrea DiFabio. “When we opened the store, we wanted to create a space where people who love records and music in general could come hang out and talk about music. That happens on Record Store Day and we make it a big party.”
For the past five years DiFabio has seen customers come to her store picking up classic albums that they had once owned and newer fans of the formats who may pick up a small stack of albums for a new turntable. In that time, record sales have been increasing.
Vinyl records have evolved to a growing media platform that, according to Billboard, accounted for 14 percent of all physical album purchases, 14.32 million, in 2017 and was the 12th consecutive year of growth for the format. The highest selling vinyl albums of last year were The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band Club” and “Abbey Road,” selling a combined 132,000 copies.
The availability of the music isn’t restricted to just The Beatles or even Carole King and Led Zeppelin. Artists like Adele, Daft Punk and Nicki Minaj are releasing their records in the LP format in concurrence with compact disc and streaming/downloading online platforms.
DiFabio said the continued interest in the format is because of the socially inviting aspect of it, where a group of people can sit down and listen to an entire record and enjoy it.
“You can pass around the liner notes, discuss the album artwork, enjoy a beer or two, etc. It’s a fun way to spend free time,” she said.
The format, she says, is more memorable than the digital formats that have overtaken the market.
“It’s fun to hear people talk about the old record stores where they used to shop at back in the day. Everyone always has fond memories of their local record stores,” she said. “They remember where and when they purchased particular albums, which is kind of cool.
“Not sure anyone remembers the first song they streamed or when they downloaded a song.”
Record Store Day is noted for limited releases, or pressings, of certain records. This year’s slate includes a 7-inch yellow vinyl single release of Led Zeppelin singles “Rock and Roll”/ “Friends” and the
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