Top 3: Record Store Day ft Common, Sex Hands, discounts + more

Once a year, those not in the know may wonder why there is a snake of people queuing around Oldham Street all the way along Church Street and on to Tib Street then back to Oldham Street where it threatens to eat its own tale and reach infinity. Everyone else is just gutted the line outside Piccadilly Records is already that long for Record Store Day (Sat 19 Apr) and that they’re going to miss out on a David Bowie picture disc or special releases from The Flaming Lips or Nirvana. Now in its eighth year, what began as a purist’s curio has become a worldwide event to celebrate the independent record store owners that still thrive in a digital age. As well as Piccadilly Records, Tib Street’s Beatin’ Rhythm and Stevenson Square’s coffee and record shop Eastern Bloc will be selling one-off treats. To further commemorate the day, bars and cafes around Manchester are joining the party too. Here are our top three, fun-packed sideshows for Record Store Day in Manchester 2014:

Soup Kitchen – 10 per cent off food, plus Sex Hands and Brown Brogues live 
Manchester’s finest underground gig venue opens its doors early especially for the occasion with a line-up of great Manchester bands, and a 10 per cent discount on food and drink for those who just want to sit and discuss their purchases and best finds on this day of crate-digging. The likes of Sex Hands, Naked (On Drugs), Manchester Wire faves Mistoa Poltsa and Brown Brogues are already confirmed – with some very special guests still to be announced – all with their own treats for collectors. Almost equidistant from Piccadilly Recs and Eastern Bloc, with Vinyl Exchange around the corner, this is the place to compare your finds while soaking up some great booze, food and bands.
31-33 Spear Street, M1 1DF, 1pm, £3, www.facebook.com

Common – Songs For Walter and Withered Hand (live) plus DJs like Jason Boardman
Edge Street’s hippest hangout joins forces with the city’s most popular record shop, Piccadilly Records, to bring you a day of live music and DJs. For the third year running Common welcome bands including Songs For Walter, Withered Hand and Dinner Party for the afternoon, before DJs such as Jason Boardman (Aficionado), Duncan Sime (Red Deer Club) and KBeard (Box Bedroom Rebels) lead us into the evening. That’s when those tireless workers from Piccadilly Records close the shop and come play all those special deliveries they kept for themselves in to the wee small hours.
39-41 Edge Street, M4 1HW, 1pm, FREE before 10pm, £2 after, www.facebook.com

The Deaf Institute – Ghost Outfit, Temple Songs, The Louche and more live
Getting in on the act as well, Deaf will host a vinyl swap shop, craft stalls and give-aways during the day while presenting an evening of live music from the cream of the city’s current crop. A double headline effort from Ghost Outfit and Temple Songs is just one of the reasons to hot foot it to Grosvenor Street. In support are The Louche, Francis Lung, Hartheim and more still to be announced – a phenomenal line up that’s deffo worth heading to.
135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE, 6pm £3, www.facebook.com

Image: Man Alive!