Kate Bush signs up to celebrate Record Store Day 2024.
KATE BUSH SAYS it was a “huge honour and a great privilege” to be invited to become the latest ambassador for Record Store Day. This year’s annual celebration of independent record stores, which began in the United States in 2007 and was initiated in the UK 12 months later, takes place on Saturday, April 20.
Bush, who has been making albums since her debut The Kick Inside in 1978, follows Sir Elton John, Noel Gallagher, Taylor Swift and the band The 1975 in the role. She is thrilled by the continued resurgence of vinyl as a format.
“The music industry had decided to leave vinyl far behind, but it would seem that not everyone agrees! I love that! ” she says. “I know there are many, many artists who are just as excited to see the audience turning the tide. In the same way that some people like to read a book on Kindle but also want to have a book as a physical object, a lot of people like vinyl and streaming. Both have different appeals.”
Bush believes that in addition to being a tactile experience and visually appealing, physical media brings other advantages.
“The added bonus of vinyl is that it encourages people to listen to albums,” she points out. “It’s an art form that I’ve always thought can be treasured in a unique way. An album on vinyl is a beautiful thing, given a strong identity by its large-scale artwork. There’s a much more personal connection with the artist and their work.”
Naturally, Bush has her own Record Store Day release, and a special 10” edition of Eat The Music arrives exclusively in independent record shops on April 20. The single was meant to have appeared on her 1993 album Red Shoes but was replaced by Rubberband Girl.
With vinyl sales hitting a 33-year high in the UK, increasing for the sixteenth year in a row (according to data from the British Phonographic Industry), Bush is optimistic that the thrill of going into a shop and buying a vinyl album isn’t going away any time soon.
“Each year, Record Store Day gathers more attention, more momentum, attracting more people who cram into indie record stores all over the world to see what’s up,” she says. “This year I hope you have a fantastic time at this very important event, and that you get to celebrate music that’s been specially released for you.”
Afull list of the 260 shops participating in this year’s Record Store Day, and also of releases, can be found at recordstoreday.co.uk. We’ve printed a small selection of what’s available domestically in 2024, along with details of quantities and formats where available. DL
