From avid customers queuing since 4:30pm to Sleaford Mods taking over a cafe- it's just business as usual for RSD in Nottingham
The third Saturday in April. For some people it's just another day, whilst for others it's the culmination of many sleepless nights, endless speculation and a year's worth of savings. The third Saturday in April. AKA Record Store Day.
Last year my Record Store Day began at 4am as I joined the queue outside Nottingham's Music Exchange, hoping -just like the 20 or so people before me- to bag some of the day's limited releases. This year however, I was on the other side of the till.
I have been volunteering at The Music Exchange since last May, despite not having a paid job like every other 17 year old I know, I have one of the best.
Arriving at the shop at 7:30am the queue already snaked around the corner. it might not be as big as last year's effort- there are 4 record shops taking part this year (The Music Exchange, Rough Trade, Plates and Pendulum) compared to 2 in 2014- but it's been here longer, with the first hardy vinyl junkie setting up camp at 4:30pm the day before- A TMX record.
The Arctic temperatures have done nothing to dampen the buzz surrounding the shop, and as the last few preparations are made the anticipation reaches fever pitch. Finally, at 8am sharp the doors open and pandemonium is ensured. It's not quite elbowing-your-gran chaos, but it's a far cry from the average Saturday shift.
Joy Division, Foo Fighters and Ride are among the first records to be snapped up, with Biffy Clyro and The Wombats following suite. Whilst the records are out there is a distinct lack of people idly buying masses destined to be sold on Ebay, although rumour has it a copy of Biffy Clyro's Puzzles, purchased elsewhere, has already made it onto the site.
Another new addition to this year's RSD programme is a festival's worth of live music, held in Pico, customers were treated to a bank balance soothing acoustic set from Nottingham trio Kagoule, with fan favourite Adjust The Way given a tender make over, rendering it almost unrecognisable from the distortion-drenched original.
Milky Whimpshake also made an appearance to the packed out crowd, as did Extddntwrk, the side project of local heros Sleaford Mod's Andrew Fearn.
