Record Store Day: 3 of the best events

This year Manchester celebrates the sixth annual Record Store Day in style with five record shops across the city taking part. In the centre, Picadilly Records, Eastern Bloc and Beatin’ Rhythm will all see huge queues to get the key releases on Saturday 20 April, while Chorlton’s Kingbee Records also gets in on the act, and North Manchester vinyl enthusiasts can pop along to Endless Records in Prestwich. David Bowie, Paul Weller, Pulp and Nick Cave are just some of the artists releasing new material and special edition re-releases to support independent music providers across the country. After making those early morning purchases, be sure to head to the bars of the Northern Quarter as they provide their own spin on Record Store Day to compare wax and catch some of the best bands around. It’s a tough choice between these three, but they’re on all day so try to catch as much as you can.

1. Soup Kitchen aims to keep the independent local vibe going with a selection of some of the finest Manchester bands around. Heart-Ships, Great Waves, Kult Country, Champion Lover, Weird Era, Francis Lung and Baptists & Bootleggers new output Bloom are all on the bill in the basement. Upstairs, meanwhile, sample some of the kitchen’s hearty meals and listen to some of Manchester’s finest DJs. Ticket price also gives you a 10% discount on food and drink. In the evening, Shackleton plays – read our preview here.
Soup Kitchen, 31-33 Spear Street, M1 1DF, 11am-7pm, £3, www.facebook.com 

2. Common have joined forces with Piccadilly Records to showcase DJs and musicians from local record labels SWAYS, Red Deer Club and Folklore Tapes. They have also created a special ‘Piccalilli Burger’ for a day of cross-promotional fun. Musicians on show include Glasgow-based Jonnie Common, duo Bernard + Edith, Horsebeach and SWAYS’ up-and-comers Emperor Zero (check the amazing video for Mental Health Café here). There will also be 50 limited edition tapes on sale at Common and at Piccadilly Records featuring all the bands performing on the day.
Common, 39-41 Edge Street, M4 1HW, 1pm – 2am, FREE before 9pm / £2 after, www.facebook.com 

3. Kraak’s offering for Record Store Day revelry comes just before the shops will be closing, having sold out of all their special edition goodies. Hosting three bands hotly tipped for big things in 2013, Kraak will be one for new music aficionados. Brighton trio Physics House Band release their new EP this month and venture out for a rare northern show of technical brilliance and psychedelic madness. The Art Club create a hazy, poppy, 1980s lo-fi sound suiting Manchester’s love of Jesus and Mary Chain and Joy Division. Finally Manchester’s own Modern Blonde aim to build on the ‘hot property’ tag they have been labelled with by numerous music blogs. Help yourself to a free download of their 22-track album here and feel free to fall in love with them.
Kraak, off Stevenson Square, M1 1DB. 4.30pm, £5, www.latenitelive.co.uk 

Participating stores:

Endless Music, 418 Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 1BD. 0161 772 0312 www.endlessmusic.co.uk

Piccadilly Records, 53 Oldham Street, M1 1JR. 0161 839 8008. www.piccadillyrecords.com

Eastern Bloc Records, 5A Stevenson Square, M1 1DN. 0161 228 6555 www.easternblocrecords.com

Beatin’ Rhythm, 108 Tib Street, M4 1LR. 0161 834 7783. www.beatinrhythm.com

Kingbee Records, 519 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton M21 0UF. 0161 860 4762. www.kingbeerecords.co.uk

Artwork: Savwo