Promoting the #LoveRecordStores campaign, independent music companies see supporting local record shops as a vital part of getting through the current crisis.

Ahead of what would have been Record Store Day this weekend, IMPALA has this message for music fans:

You can’t see your favourite artists on tour or in your local record store for now, but you can buy online from them!”

IMPALA also urges governments to include record stores in the first wave of shops that are allowed to re-open, subject of course to the necessary restrictions on the number of customers.

#LoveRecordStores is an online campaign where artists, music fans and many others are posting messages of support for their local record shops. The idea is to encourage people to buy music online from these specialist stores who play a vital role in the music community. IMPALA promotes its roll-out across Europe, together with other campaigns to support local record stores and other initiatives to promote music during the coronavirus crisis.

Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA commented:

Francesca Trainini, Chair of IMPALA, Italian association PMI and IMPALA’s Task Force added:

To find out more about #LoveRecordStores and support it with your own message, go to https://twitter.com/LoveRecsStores. The campaign started in the UK and has attracted a lot of attention, with messages from Elton John and many many others. It has been picked up in many countries where the press reaction has also been very positive.

To find independent records stores in your country, click here for a list of those participating in Record Store Day. For an interactive map of shops delivering online during the lockdown (UK for now) click here

To find out more about Record Store Day click here, (date changed to 20 June from 18 April).