I’m Scott I am doing a work experience placement with Ventnor Exchange for lead up to Record Store Day for one of the amazing opportunities from Brave Island.
Record Store Day is one day a year across the UK that everyone celebrates the music and culture of music to bring each other together. There are nearly 300 stores that take part. The staff, customers, artists and labels come together to celebrate the day. One of the stores that takes part in Record Store Day is Ventnor Exchange. I am currently doing work experience with them learning what it’s like to work at a record shop and how everything is organised for Record Store Day.
Since Record Store Day is one of the most popular times of the year for Ventnor Exchange, I am lucky to have work experience for the record shop. It’s the perfect time of the year to gain work experience and to connect with the people and music and learn what it’s like to work on one of the popular days of the year.
On 18th April this Saturday at Ventnor Exchange, Record Store Day is being celebrated. It will be a day that people will buy a range of records on sale such as Coach Party’s Record Store Day exclusive in the shop. Also some live performances like DJ sets and also Guy (drummer) from Coach Party will be performing some of his songs from his band called Pet Lounge.
Also some other acts performing on Record store day are Ruby, Daysi and Luca, and Not the Pretty Things with Dick Taylor.
Scott’s Top Picks from the RSD Releases
One of my favourite records that is coming out on Record Store Day is Coach Party live from Club Caramel as they did a headline tour across the UK and Europe. I was lucky to get to see them live in Southampton, they did an incredible show there. The days after Record Store Day they will be performing in the US in New York and Los Angeles.
Their music is alt-rock and their music brings connection and emotion to you with some iconic songs like Girls, Do It For Love and of course one of their iconic songs Disco Dream. Listening to them as a live record will bring their music to life in your home.
Also another iconic record that is coming out this Saturday is The Cure – Greatest Hits and Acoustic Hits (25th anniversary edition).
Greatest Hits became one of their biggest selling albums, including 4 UK Top 10 singles and 4 UK Top 20 singles like Boys Don’t Cry, Friday I’m in Love and The Lovecats. They will be performing at the Isle of Wight Festival 2026 as the Sunday headliner, also they will be approaching their 50th anniversary next year so what a great way to celebrate by getting one of their best selling albums at Record Store Day this Saturday.
One popular soundtrack that is coming to Record Store Day is KPop Demon Hunters (Hunter/x edition).
This record will include the iconic song Golden that was one of the most streamed songs to release in 2025. Has received 5 Grammy nominations including song of the year and 2 Academy Award nominations including original song.
Other incredible record that will be at Record Store Day is the amazing Faithless album called To All New Arrivals (20th anniversary record).
Faithless have performed at a number of festivals over the years, one of their festivals last year was Isle of Wight Festival as they was the headliner for the Friday night. Also they will be performing at Victorious Festival this year on Friday.
The record will include an amazing first song on the album called Bombs the opening of the song will have sound effects like a start of a war with sirens sounds and then will slowly start into dance music and the feel of being at a night club with different types of dance sounds.
The album is full of dance and electronic beats and will feel like you’re at a dance club with a mix of different beats and sounds.
Also one of the iconic artists who has created a BRAT summer is Charli XCX who is releasing a limited edition single on vinyl of Party 4 u as a limited edition for Record Store Day.
She has worked with a range of artists in the past like Billie Eilish. They worked on a single called Guess featuring Billie Eilish.
Also Charli has performed at a range of festivals in her career like the iconic festival called Coachella in 2025 in the US. She is also going to be performing at Reading and Leeds Festival in 2026.
