John Lydon and Orbital launched 2012’s Record Store Day with a secret basement gig on 19 March, kick-starting the countdown to the now annual overdraft-bothering vinyl bonanza.
Independent records shops across London will be selling exclusive releases by David Bowie, Kate Bush, Bloc Party and our One To Watch Lianne la Havas, as part of over 200 limited edition Record Store Day releases which will available only at selected indie shops on Saturday 21 April.
London stores taking part include Rough Trade East and West, Casbah records, Dada, Flashback, If Music, Rat Records and Sound of The Universe. Many will also feature live performances including Keane at Rough Trade East and the Fair Ohs at Islington’s Flashback.
The launch party saw Lydon’s band Public Image Limited play an eight-song set including This Is Not A Love Song, Rise and new single One Drop. Despite claiming to have the flu Lydon managed to amaze the 250 or so hacks and blags with his almost operatic voice. Orbital closed the night with a blistering DJ set that included their classic Chime and new single New France.
After the set Lydon spoke about his love of vinyl, and the need to prevent internet piracy and support struggling artists through Record Store Day.
“It was a good job many of the record labels folded, they were nothing but corrupt and no good for up and coming bands.” He added: “It’s a very difficult position to be in now because if you have an original idea someone on the internet will steal it off you in a second. Somebody has to go to the effort of putting that together".
“If you want free pies from the pie and mash shop round the corner, guess what: the standard's gonna drop. And that’s what’s happening with music.”
The in-store live performances announced so far include:
Flashback, Islington
The Fair Oh’s
Rough Trade East, Brick Lane
Keane
Wet Nuns
Becoming Real
Johnny Flynn
Rough Trade West, Notting Hill
Stealing Sheep
Cate Le Bon
‘Allo Dalrin
Tom The Lion
Gemma Ray
Rat Records, Camberwell
Serafina Steer
Julia Finnimore
Intoxica, Notting Hill
Jonny Trunk
For a full list of indie records stores taking part check out recordstoreday.co.uk. Record Store Day takes place 21 April, 2012