Chris Brown, founder of Record Store Day

On 21 April, Record Store Day takes place internationally: the fifth since it was conceived in 2007 by Chris Brown, Eric Levin, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave, Brian Poehner and current managers Michael Kurtz and Carrie Colliton. RSD aims to promote the humble independent shop, and assist in their struggle against the leviathan chain stores that dominate the music market.

On its surface, the day is a celebration of the music that is sold in these stores, but at its core is a chance for independent record stores to promote their own businesses and open up the wealth of independent music to prospective consumers. As well as events hosted by the stores, including in-store performances by independent bands and musicians, a number of exclusive releases from top bands and record labels will be available at the stores for only one day. The list includes releases from 2 Many DJs, Animal Collective and St Vincent, while the Irish exclusives include Halves, Katie Kim, Mmoths and Patrick Kelleher.

Participating record stores include Zhivago in Galway, Plugd Records in Cork, and Elastic Witch in Dublin.

recordstoreday.com