Music fans in Wales eagerly lined up overnight to lay their hands on exclusive vinyl records at Cardiff’s Spillers Records for Record Store Day on Saturday, April 12. Record Store Day celebrates independently owned record shops and draws in thousands of enthusiasts every year. This year, the event featured special releases, including the seventh white vinyl of Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” album, among other exclusive records, attracting a crowd that stretched from Spillers Records’ door to beyond Waterstones book shop in The Hayes. The excitement was palpable, with many die-hard Taylor Swift fans, known as Swifties, turning up early for the occasion.
Sioned Nikolic, a 25-year-old resident of Cardiff, was among the dedicated fans who camped outside Spillers Records starting from Friday afternoon, eagerly awaiting the store’s opening on Saturday morning. Sioned shared her anticipation for grabbing exclusive records like the Taylor Swift Fortnight single, the Oasis Time Flies box set, the Wicked movie soundtrack, and the Gracie Abrams’ live concert recording. She highlighted her eagerness for the Wicked record, noting its rarity with less than 1,000 copies available in the UK, making it a sought-after item for collectors.
Spillers Records, regarded as the oldest record shop globally, welcomed music enthusiasts like Sioned who have made queuing up for Record Store Day an annual tradition. Sioned explained how her love for vinyl records stemmed from collecting Taylor Swift’s CDs, which eventually led her to broaden her music collection to include other artists. Despite the exhaustion from camping out overnight, Sioned expressed her excitement at being part of the event and the thrill of acquiring limited edition records.
The first person in the queue, 37-year-old David Evans from Caerphilly, revealed that Record Store Day had become his favorite holiday, participating in it for nearly a decade. Recounting his early experiences of underestimating the event’s popularity, David shared how he gradually transitioned to queuing overnight for the exclusive releases, adding new essentials to his camping gear each year to combat the cold and ensure a comfortable wait. For David, the community spirit among fellow music fans and the joy of owning exclusive vinyl records make the annual tradition a memorable experience.
Shelley Phillips from Cardiff Bay, another dedicated music enthusiast, also arrived well-prepared to queue for the event. Having participated in Record Store Day multiple times, Shelley emphasized the camaraderie among queuing fans and the pleasant atmosphere that made the long wait enjoyable. As fans eagerly awaited the store’s opening, the staff at Spillers Records efficiently managed the crowd, taking orders to facilitate a smooth purchase process for the eager customers.
After successfully acquiring their coveted records, fans like Sioned and Lauren Smart from Cwmbran, who participated in Record Store Day for the first time, shared their delight in securing their desired music treasures. The event not only offered a unique shopping experience but also fostered a sense of community among music enthusiasts who came together to celebrate their passion for vinyl records. As the fans dispersed post-purchase, they looked forward to enjoying their new vinyl acquisitions, adding a touch of musical joy to their day following a night of anticipation and excitement.
Record Store Day at Spillers Records exemplified the enduring appeal of vinyl records and the dedicated following that continues to support independent record stores. The event’s success underscored the significance of preserving physical music formats and the communal experience of queuing up for exclusive releases, creating lasting memories for music lovers like Sioned, David, and Shelley.