On Thursday 26th March 2020, the music community launched a high-profile, global initiative, to help independent record stores during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
With many of these stores now experiencing a catastrophic drop-off in footfall or having already closed their doors there are fears that some may not survive if something is not done urgently to stimulate sales.
With that in mind many music companies pledged their support for this new campaign which has been named #loverecordstores.
This is our homage to the world’s best record stores.
#loverecordstores started life as a social media campaign with a huge range of artists including Elton John, Paul Weller and Kate Tempest to name only a few and the wider music community uniting under the hashtag to encourage music fans to continue shopping online while stores were shuttered during the lockdown.
The #loverecordstores campaign culminated in a hugely successful, day-long event on 20th June featuring over 130 independent record stores, which saw dozens of new and re-issued vinyl releases from the likes of Oasis, Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys among many others being made available to music fans and over £1m in revenue generated.
To complement the day, which had Tim Burgess as its Ambassador, #loverecordstores also organised the world’s biggest online in-store event featuring live performances, DJ sets, interviews, readings and more from a wide range of artists such as Fontaines DC, Craig David, Circa Waves, John Grant, Black Pumas and many more, curated by a number of the world’s best-known independent labels including Play It Again Sam, Beggars Group, Partisan Records, Secretly Canadian, Domino, Ninja Tune, XL Recordings, 4AD, Warp, Heavenly Recordings, Transgressive, Mute, Bella Union and Partisan Records among others.
The #loverecordstores campaign has shone a spotlight on the work of the wider independent community of record shops, labels & fans who have supported each other and their artists at a time when so many of their traditional marketing and engagement opportunities such as live shows have not been possible.
Indie Champion Winner
AIM Independent Music Awards 2021
#loverecordstores campaign announces second Love Record Stores Event for September 4th 2021, and welcomes their 2021 Ambassador, Georgia. We also welcome our new partner, the Association of Independent Music (AIM).
Following the resounding success of the #loverecordstores campaign in 2020 and the subsequent Love Record Stores event, which took place last June and resulted in over £1m of sales for record stores, the campaign organisers have announced plans for a second event, which will take place on September 4th.
Now an important fixture in the music retail calendar for UK record retailers, labels and music fans alike, Love Record Stores 2021 will be an opportunity for the independent music community to come together to support record stores who, like many other businesses, have faced difficult trading conditions throughout the pandemic.
Given the UK government’s recent announcements about lifting lockdown restrictions the organisers are confident that by September 4th, Love Record Stores 2021 will see music fans able to visit and support their favourite physical stores rather than just their online websites to purchase vinyl exclusives across range of strictly limited-edition releases. This year will also hopefully include a wide range of live, in-store performances by artists and exclusive DJ sets throughout the day.
The Love Record Stores 2021 Ambassador has been announced as London-based record producer, songwriter, singer, rapper drummer and former record store employee Georgia. The Domino Recordings artist released her acclaimed second album ‘Seeking Thrills’ in 2020, which was shortlisted for The Mercury Music Prize.
The Association of Independent Music (AIM) is the not-for-profit trade body that exists to help and support the independent music community, which makes up a quarter of the recorded music market. Now in its 20th year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. AIM promotes and supports this exciting and diverse community globally and provides a range of services, commercial opportunities and practical help to members, enabling them to innovate, grow and break into new markets. AIM also hosted the AIM Independent Music Awards.
We are encouraging all record stores, labels, distributors and artists to support our Love Record Stores pre-awareness campaign and of course, the 4th of September event itself.
Want to get involved?
Download our handy guide to find out how.