Record Store Day 2020 has been postponed due to concerns around coronavirus. The event, which was scheduled to take place on April 18, sees thousands of record stores around the world taking part each year.
The new date will occur on June 20, however, Record Store Day Australia have announced there are still plans to try and celebrate the April 20 date as well.
Record Store Day has announced it will be postponing its 2020 event until June 20 due to concerns surrounding coronavirus.
The announcement was made by the US event on Friday and was followed by the Australian iteration on Saturday.
Yep, it’s come to us too. We’ve rescheduled but we will still do something on 18 April. But what? Still thinking. Stand by. Save the dates: 18 April and also 20 June. Tow days of music fun, hey. But … disappointed not t be doing #RSDAus as originally planned. pic.twitter.com/LPIF1zhYwr
— Record Store Day Aus (@RSDAustralia) March 13, 2020
Record Store Day is celebrated by more than 85,000 people in Australia, as well as millions worldwide. This year marks the 13th anniversary of the event, and there are 200 stores around the country set to partake.
Yet the Australian event has promised it still wants to celebrate the original day in some way.
Blake Budak, president of the Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA) – the body which runs Record Store Day in Australia – and owner of Landspeed Records in Canberra, described of the situation:
“The third Saturday in April is a hallowed day in the diary of all music fans and we don’t want to abandon that, but we are also very aware that we are not operating under normal conditions.
“So we are looking at how we can still safely celebrate indie music and indie record stores on our Day of Days,” he continued. “How we do that is the challenge, but with the support of the record companies and sponsors we expect to have a plan by early next week. So stay safe and stand by for more news.”
Sydney’s Red Eye Records took to Twitter to confirm the postponement, reiterating that they are currently remaining open.
Record Store Day is moving dates this year and will now be held on SAT 20th JUNE. 📆
We’ll update you with a list of what we’ll be getting much closer to the new date.https://t.co/1rbovjgmna
In the meantime we’re still open every day, and online at https://t.co/wfoeSWRpac#RSD20 pic.twitter.com/qJMnbsxzs9— Red Eye (@redeyerecords) March 13, 2020
In light of the news, others have taken to Twitter to encourage music lovers to continue supporting independent record stores online or in-person (if safe). With the economic impact of the virus remaining uncertain, now more than ever it’s important to support local businesses to ensure the survival of the arts industry.
If you want to #supportlocalbusiness during the COVID19 crisis (so they can be there after it passes), remember many of them have websites & the ability to ship their products & services to you competitively. My health insurance is supported by @NationalCamera , for instance.
— Christopher Ludtke (@fantailmedia) March 12, 2020
Elsewhere, events giant Live Nation have announced the postponement of all imminent tours, including that of Tame Impala and Billie Eilish.
