Record Store Day 2024 in the Twin Cities: Where to shop, what to pick up

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April 18, 2024

Vinyl lovers rejoice! Record Store Day is Saturday, April 20. Twin Cities record shops will have vinyl exclusives and other special events to make the big day even more festive.

The Current is handing out Record Store Day totes at several stores, including Barely Brothers, both Down In The Valley locations, Electric Fetus, Mill City Sound, and Urban Lights. When you pick it up, check your tote because we’ve got a surprise — a copy of the English Beat’s debut album I Just Can’t Stop It on magenta vinyl — for one lucky winner at each store. (English Beat fans should check out this exclusive giveaway as well.)

Here is a roundup for what more than 10 local record stores have planned, and 25 RSD exclusives to look out for on Saturday — including some fantastic special releases with strong ties to the Twin Cities music scene.

(Full disclosure – the author is an employee of Down in the Valley.)

Agharta Records - St. Paul (opens at 8 a.m.)

Every year, Agharta shares its Record Store Day arrivals on Instagram to build the anticipation. The St. Paul store on University Avenue opens early at 8 a.m. to offer a wide selection of RSD releases and new and used vinyl.

Barely Brothers Records - St. Paul (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

This vinyl-only record shop in St. Paul’s lovely Saint Anthony Park neighborhood has a brilliant lineup of live local in-store performances planned. Here are the set times:

12:00 p.m. – The Adam Linz Quartet Minus One

1:00 p.m. – Institutional Green

2:00 p.m. – The de’Lindas

3:00 p.m. – Chickaboom & Troglodyte

4:00 p.m. – Muun Bato

5:00 p.m. – The 99’ers

Down In The Valley - Golden Valley, Maple Grove (Doors open at 9 a.m.)

Down In The Valley (where I work) has multiple copies of 99.9% of all the RSD exclusives available. More titles/copies will be available in DITV’s Golden Valley location, while the Maple Grove store will most likely have shorter lines. Exclusive to Down In the Valley are limited-edition signed copies of Superchunk’s Foolish — recorded at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls and released 30 years ago this week. Plus, Live Nation will have a table at the Golden Valley store, selling upcoming concert tickets with no service fees and doing ticket giveaways. There will also be custom-made DITV RSD T-shirts and posters for sale. The store has also teamed up with Broken Clock Brewing to craft a special beer called Liquid Fidelity, and will be offering samples at both locations.

Electric Fetus - Minneapolis (open 9 a.m -6 p.m.)

Electric Fetus will start handing out numbers to those in line starting at 8 a.m. to ensure organized proceedings for everyone on RSD. There will be complimentary coffee and donuts from The Dabbler Depot THC Truck, and food options available from El Burrito Mercado food truck. Sue McLean & Associates will have a table with ticket info and giveaways for upcoming shows. The Fetus will also have surprise additions to its selection of signed records (featuring autographed copies of Durry’s RSD 7-inch) along with the RSD vinyl exclusives. Here's the in-store music schedule for the Electric Fetus on Record Store Day:

10 a.m. - DJ Jake Rudh of Transmission

11 a.m. - Durry acoustic set outdoors behind the store.

11:30 a.m. - DJs Kenna & Yonci of Mostly Jazz on KFAI

1 p.m. - DJ Tricky Miki

2:30 p.m. - DJ A.J. Hilton of WCCO-TV

4 p.m. - DJs Kerry and Chris of Bad Bad Hats

Fly Vintage & Vinyl - Robbinsdale (open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

This intimate Robbinsdale store promises a more-relaxed shopping experience. It is getting in about 130 exclusive RSD titles, but some of the best stuff will be in its used vinyl bins filled with hidden treasures and hard-to-find original pressings. And if you need some stylish shelves for your vinyl or cool furniture, Fly Vintage has you covered there as well.

Hymie’s Records - Minneapolis (open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

The beloved neighborhood record shop on Lake Street is opening early on Record Store Day. Hymie’s selection of new and used records will have many specially discounted, alongside a great selection of RSD titles. The musical highlight of Record Store Day at Hymie’s will be a live performance from The Mod Garage at noon, which will give a psychedelic, garage-rock jolt to the day.

Know Name Records - Minneapolis (open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

This cherished Portland Avenue record shop celebrates its 47th anniversary this year. In addition to offering a wide selection of vinyl exclusives, Know Name has also put together a fantastic, all-local mini music festival. Here’s the lineup and set times:

1 p.m. - Chad Erickson & The Untimely

2 p.m. - Venus DeMars & All The Pretty Horses

3 p.m. - July Fighter

Mill City Sound - Hopkins (doors open at 9 a.m.)

Located on Main Street in Hopkins, Mill City begins handing out numbers to customers waiting in line starting at 8 a.m. There will also be custom-made T-shirts and branded rolling papers to capitalize on RSD falling on 4/20. Expect RSD exclusives and a fresh batch of used vinyl rarities and collectibles. Here’s the DJ schedule at Mill City on Record Store Day:

9-10 a.m. Brian Oake

10-11 a.m. Steve Isadore

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Glen Leslie

12 p.m.-1 p.m. DJ Blue Funk

1 p.m.-2 p.m. Grandpa Joe

2 p.m.-3 p.m. Ric Menck

Roadrunner Records - Minneapolis (opens at 9 a.m.)

The Nicollet Avenue shop, which turns 40 next year, begins handing out numbers at 8 a.m. before opening at 9 a.m. In addition to the RSD vinyl exclusives, it will also have bargain bins outside on its patio featuring six-for-$10 LP deals and three-for-$1 CDs.

SolSta Records - St. Louis Park (opens at 7 a.m.)

A hidden gem on Excelsior Boulevard, SolSta will open early with limited quantities of RSD vinyl exclusives. Plus, the selection features nearly 1,000 newly arrived used albums, and a Basement Box sale of its $3 vinyl. SolSta is also launching a sweet sustainable bag program, with customers who purchase the bag saving 10% off all used vinyl inventory for the life of the bag.

Urban Lights Music – St. Paul (opens at 10 a.m.)

Timothy Wilson’s venerated shop on University Avenue doesn’t want you to shop hungry — so it is providing free doughnuts and coffee for the day. In addition to the deals on vinyl, the day will feature Live Nation concert ticket giveaways, and the Faders Up crew spinning live in the store.