A snaking queue of hundreds of music fans grew from the door of Probe Records and 3Beat in anticipation of getting their hands on exclusive releases.
Vinyl fans patiently braved the wind and rain for more than four hours in order to secure the rare releases and in the case of 3Beat – the chance to see exclusive performances from Cosmic Boogie and It Happened Here.
A quick conversation with Probe Record’s Mark, who said he resorted to making his way down the queue to take people’s orders and then breaking the bad news that most of their requests had sold out, proved the Record Store Day phenomenon was alive and kicking in the city.
He said: “It is three or four times bigger than last year. The queue ended outside the Bluecoat previously, but today reached the top of School Lane. It’s difficult to keep up with the demand.”
Things were slightly quieter over at 3Beat – a specialist dance music outlet, manager Thomas Tuft reported a number of people who alternated between the two stores to track down their vinyl fix.
But the quiet nature of the Slater Street store, compared with the impromptu game of sardines in the doorway of Probe backs up the claim that there is not enough vinyl pressed to cope with demand.
“Many customers are being turned away empty handed, there are simply not enough records. We had one or two of some releases and they were gone within the first two minutes.
“A greater degree of organisation and structure is needed from the event’s chiefs to ensure fans are able to secure their fair share.”
The best-sellers emerged as Kate Bush and Miles Kane in both stores, 3Beat’s Thomas Tuft vented their frustration towards requests for the likes of Katy Perry and Professor Green.
But some would argue this diversity embodies the cross-section of people queuing and wins support for the industry from youngsters; one teenage fan we spoke to said he was adding to the collection started by his father, who had given him his own vinyl player for his 16th birthday.
He said: “It’s brilliant that I can get real records, I am waiting for a Miles Kane release to add to my collection. If I’m lucky I’ll be able to pick up the Arctic Monkey’s R U Mine vinyl too.”
Steven Burns, 45, from Preston, queued for two and a half hours said: “I had been watching the 7’’ single of Willow’s song from the Wicker Man soundtrack on Ebay and took a chance to grab a copy today.
“Unfortunately there was only one to begin with and it’s now gone.”
Purple Revolver then headed over to Wolstenholme Creative Space, opposite Cream, which hosted a vinyl and zine fair with refreshments provided by Bold Street Coffee.
This event echoed the celebrations of Record Store Day and the renaissance of creativity in Liverpool.