Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Music

Record Store Day 2023: Breakfast Sammies With Taylor Swift

Record Store Day 2023 has come and gone and hundreds of thousands of music fans descended on independent record stores today across the globe looking for exclusive releases from some of the biggest and smallest independent record labels in the world.

Record Store Day April 22 2023 at Third Coast Vinyl in Muskegon Michigan

Record Store Day 2023 was a huge success; and that was before the entire allotment of Taylor Swift records sold out in the first 5 minutes at almost every independent record store across North America and Europe. The eCoustics team headed out before dawn in seven cities to stand in line and support our local independent record stores because without them — we’re pretty much stuck giving Jeff Bezos all of our record money. And that’s not a good thing for anyone who cares about supporting small businesses in their hometown.

We were very excited this year because the list of quality recordings was better than usual; we were also hopeful that independent record stores would get more inventory as well which has become a sore spot for some.

You can read our previous coverage here and also listen to our rather animated group podcast here; not everyone agrees that the event is working as it should for smaller retailers or for those of us who have stood outside in the rain for hours hoping to get one of the 3-4 copies of a specific album that the labels have shipped.

It would appear that for some releases, those complaints did not fall on deaf ears.

RSD 2023 Line New Jersey
RSD 2023: Jack’s Music in Red Bank, New Jersey

Standing in line at Jack’s Music in Red Bank, New Jersey, it felt apropos to turn the conversation with my fellow Jerseyans into a barrage of “Taylor Ham,” “Taylor Hall,” and “Taylor Hawkins” references as most of the crowd was there to purchase the Taylor Swift RSD release.

Just how large was the crowd in Red Bank? At one point before the doors opened at 10 a.m., there were 250 customers standing in a line that stretched down the street, around the corner, and down the adjacent street — much to the delight of local retailers.

Line at Jack's Music for RSD 2023
RSD 2023: Line at Jack’s Music (continued)

Another noticeable difference this year was the huge shift in the demographic who stood in line; some camped out overnight.

27% of our readership is female and we agree that we have to work much harder to not only keep that readership and attract more — but build their trust because many of them are new to the high-end audio category and our little segment of the galaxy has never been all that welcoming to them in that regard.

While standing in line, I texted Jeremy Sikora, Emiko Carlin, Eric Pye, Lynn Miller, and Mitch Anderson for updates in regard to their specific locations; which included Buffalo, Muskegon, Las Vegas, Calgary, and Warrensburg.

Every member of the team responded that the lines had started overnight, were 200 to 300 customers deep, and that young women represented at least 50% of the people standing in line.

Fifty percent.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

I think the percentage in Red Bank was higher than that.

Whilst there is a possibility that a certain percentage of the people waiting in line do not even own a turntable; and that applies to men and women, the reality is that most of the people that we spoke to standing outside were very passionate about the music they wanted to buy and that they were looking for ways to upgrade their existing vinyl playback.

That doesn’t mean that they were all looking at spending $2,000 on their next turntable, but most said that they would consider upgrading from their entry-level table to something in the $500 to $1,000 range.

U-Turn Audio, Pro-Ject, Rega, and Fluance were brands that they mentioned.

The people who camped out overnight? Flippers. And that was the case in almost every city.

Taylor Swift Folklore Album for RSD 2023

We’re not sure why anyone would spend $150 to $200 on the Taylor Swift release; those funds would be better spent on a new phono cartridge but that’s just common sense rearing its ugly head.

The main takeaway from today is that Record Store Day continues to grow and that the audience is getting younger and they are no longer oblivious to brands outside of Crosley and Audio-Technica.

What did you purchase today? Our team purchased both records and CDs because supporting independent music stores and the community is what keeps all of this moving forward.

Billy Joel 1975 Album for RSD 2023
Stanley Turrentine Album
Bella Donna 1981 Album for RSD 2023

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. ORT

    April 24, 2023 at 2:31 pm

    “Taylor Swift”? Ugh…The name alone is pure Craptonite. That creature is a walking, talking beard for rent. Give me Joni Mitchell any time. Or Carol King. There are more, believe me. A lot more.

    As for audio and video? It has long been wide open for any one to participate in via purchasing whatever raises your raft versus inflates your ego. Why in the name of all that is fun would women desire to hang out with a bunch of sweaty, flatulent menz discussing tracking angles and groove echo to name but two silly subjects?

    In truth, for many music is but background noise until it is “your song” they are playing. Then it becomes what it has always been – The Soundtrack of your life.

    It is not as if the frAudiophilians are a welcoming lot so it is best if you keep your towel close…

    ORT

    • Ian White

      April 24, 2023 at 2:35 pm

      ORT,

      Not a fan myself, but she definitely moves product and created enormous buzz around RSD 2023. Record stores had a record-breaking day and it is attracting a lot of new blood into the fold.

      She’s very good for the music industry.

      Best,

      Ian “who prefers Carole King and Ella” White

  2. ORT

    April 24, 2023 at 2:50 pm

    Ian my brother, I agree she does move product and that is important to all in the business! Me? I was born olde and grew up with Ella, Frank, Hartman and so many more. I do not personally know any one that buys or listens to Tay-Tay Swift and that is just how it is for me but she does sell records and tickets and that is good for the business and for people that enjoy her.

    Carol King was and remains a beauty. Ella, a Goddess. Of late I listen to a LOT of Lady Joni of Mitchell. And Beverly Kenney (I have all her albums on CD!). And more.

    ORT

  3. Jeff Jones

    April 29, 2023 at 10:14 am

    I hit Soundgarden in Syracuse, NY about noon on RSD and picked up the two things I went for, the Taylor Swift release for a friend and the U2 release because I’m a completist. Everything else I would have bought was cleaned out. They got 200 copies of the Taylor Swift. Soundgarden handed out tokens starting at 10am Friday so people don’t camp overnight. They should rename it Flippers Festival. It is a great shot of adrenaline for small independent stores, and that’s a good thing. I’m wondering if we are at peak vinyl or if the growth in new and used product can continue.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

New Products

Stratton Acoustics Element 12 Loudspeaker Finishes

Floorstanding Speakers

For $42,000/pair, the Stratton Acoustics Element 12 offer a reference level stand-mount loudspeaker that's hand-made in the UK.

Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature Loudspeakers in Midnight Blue Metallic Closeup Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature Loudspeakers in Midnight Blue Metallic Closeup

Floorstanding Speakers

Trickle-down technology from Bowers & Wilkins' flagship 800 Series arrives in select 700 Series loudspeakers with gorgeous new finishes.

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

At $219, the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 true wireless earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and up 16 hours per charge.

SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeakers SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeakers

Floorstanding Speakers

From $899 to $4,999/pair, the new top-of-the-line SVS Ultra Evolution loudspeakers raise the bar for affordable home theater performance.

Atlantic Technology 8600i Series Loudspeakers Lifestyle White Atlantic Technology 8600i Series Loudspeakers Lifestyle White

Floorstanding Speakers

The top-of-the-line Atlantic Technology 8600i Series includes a new tower and center channel speaker for home theater or stereo listening.

RSL Speakers Speedwoofer 10E Subwoofer Front RSL Speakers Speedwoofer 10E Subwoofer Front

New Products

RSL Speakers undercuts its own pricing by offering a new 10-inch, 300-watt powered subwoofer for music and home theater.

Advertisement

You May Also Like

Music

The newly remastered and expanded Violent Femmes (Deluxe Edition) is set to arrive December 1, 2023 on CD and vinyl.

CD Players

The award-winning Cambridge Evo Series can finally spin CDs. Be sure to check out the new transport at High-End Munich 2023.

Music

Record Store Day 2023 is rapidly approaching and the Craft Recordings RSD 2023 list has us salivating. Violent Femmes!

Articles

The loss of a recluse pop icon and the dying days of kishka on this week's installment.

Articles

Wireless loudspeakers, some great deals on used CDs, and why Black Friday might stink on Thanksgiving 2022.

Podcasts

Learn about the care and artistry involved in recreating the album jackets and liner notes for every Blue Note Tone Poet Series record.

Music

The ecoustics team discusses the good, the bad, the ugly about Record Store Day 2021 with Jordan Pries, co-owner of The Electric Kitsch record...

Articles

Lucius and Sarah Mary Chadwick push Lana Del Rey out of our subconscious this week with both joy and despair in the drive-thru lane.

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers