Record Store Day and the Vinyl Fever: A Tour of Some of the Most Iconic Record Stores in Madrid

Vinyl records are back in the mainstream of music consumption. Vinyl records have a unique sound that is difficult to replicate, they allow for a more immersive experience as listeners can feel the vibrations of the needle and speakers with their fingertips.

What is the Story Behind Record Store Day?

How It All Started
Record Store Day was born in 2007 in the USA with the intention of promoting this music culture that attracts great vinyl collectors. Independent record stores, fans, and enthusiasts decided to turn an ordinary day into a day to celebrate the culture and art of vinyl. The first Record Store Day was held on April 19, 2008, and from then on, the chosen day for Record Store Day has been April 23. Record Store Day brings together various artists and record labels, who plan their releases for this day, giving you the exclusive opportunity to find them in your favorite vinyl record store. Additionally, it's a day to celebrate the unique culture of independent record stores and their important role in their communities as gathering spots and sources of music.

Record Store Day in Spain: Madrid and Barcelona
Record Store Day is a special day for all music lovers. It is celebrated on the third Saturday of April each year. In Spain, this event has been celebrated since 2012. There are many celebrations planned for this year, but let's focus on two cities: Madrid and Barcelona. In Madrid, we will celebrate Spanish record stores at La Boite on April 22. On this special day, you will find a wide selection of rare and highly sought-after vinyl and CDs from independent labels across Spain. There will also be opportunities to win prizes like magazine subscriptions and meet some of the artists. In Barcelona, you can enjoy Record Store Day at El Txacoli on April 23.

This year, El Txacoli will offer many special deals and discounts on records, CDs, and other products. You can find the full list of events in Spain at this link: https://recordstoreday.com/

Record Store Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide, including Argentina (2011), France (2010), Mexico, and Canada (2008), Brazil (2010), Poland (2008), and Hungary (2014).

Vinyl Sales Growth
Currently, vinyl record sales have grown exponentially. According to a study published by the platform Statista, from 2013 to 2021, vinyl lovers and collectors have continued to expand their personal collections in LP format. The study confirms that despite the pandemic, the music industry continues to bet on vinyl records, and as a result, this growing trend reached around 1.6 million units sold in 2021.

Pandemic and Music
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Discogs—a renowned marketplace connecting vinyl buyers and sellers worldwide—updated its highly acclaimed collection of new releases for that year, noting that toilet paper wasn't the only thing people were stockpiling. Discogs provided impressive data on the growth of vinyl sales, confirming that the LP format has become a treasure, being the best-selling physical music format. Some of the top releases in 2020, according to the platform, included records by Tom Petty, The White Stripes, and Joy Division, which make up the top three most collected LPs of 2020. Vinyl record sales increased by 40% in 2020 compared to 2019 and are expected to keep growing.

The coronavirus greatly affected Record Store Day starting in 2019. Many record stores shared how the health emergency led to event cancellations, live music, and exhibitions, while also limiting capacity. This year, however, Record Store Day is back in the spring, and stores can now accommodate all their customers without the complications brought by the pandemic. Remember to follow the safety measures required by each store and enjoy the event to the fullest.

What's New for Record Store Day 2022
Finding releases available only on Record Store Day will be easier with this guide, giving you an idea of which stores to visit and the special features each one offers. In addition to following this list of the 15 best record stores in Madrid, we recommend reviewing your collection, noting which records you want to buy, and even trying to reserve some directly at your favorite vinyl record store. Many record labels team up with independent vinyl record stores to launch new treasures. Record Store Day is the perfect time to find that record you've been hunting for and discover new spots. Whether it's second-hand vinyl or new releases, these 15 record stores in Madrid offer all this and more.

15 Years of Music Culture, 15 Vinyl Record Stores in Madrid
To celebrate music culture and the growing love for vinyl records, we invite you to tour the most iconic vinyl record stores in the city. Here, you'll find exclusive editions and unique spaces that make Record Store Day an event worth celebrating every day because these landmark stores have it all, all year round, exclusively for you.

Here are some of the best record stores in Madrid:

1. ESCRIDISCOS
   Open since 1977, this independent store, located at Calle de las Navas de Tolosa, 4, Madrid, offers a wide range of vinyl records, including classics and new releases. They have a large order of special editions for Record Store Day, featuring names like The Cure and Stiff Little Fingers. > Follow them on Instagram!

... [The list continues with a similar style and structure.]

Passion or Posture When It Comes to Vinyl Records
In Spain, vinyl records currently hold a 40% share of physical music sales. In the 70s and early 80s, vinyl was at its peak, with collectors passionate about music. Nowadays, there is talk of "posture" and buying vinyl in this tech-driven world more for fashion or decoration than for passion. Even with vinyl's resurgence, online music continues to grow, and it's believed that new LP buyers are often drawn more by the cover art than the album itself. However, what's most important is to celebrate Record Store Day with a good spirit and continue supporting music culture.

A Gift for You
We don’t sell records (yet 🤣), but we help you decorate your home with your favorite album covers. As fellow collectors, we’ve joined the Record Store Day movement with an exclusive 25% discount across our entire store. We know how important it is to care for your vinyl records properly.
DISCOUNT CODE: RECORDSTOREDAY15Y