“Do any of you know who I am?” she asks.
The roar suggests they do. It’s half one and I’m in a packed Tower Records, with hundreds of people standing around the shop to listen to Lykke Li. She’s just one act on the bill, with A Hawk And A Hacksaw and more besides joining her. The shop is packed with collectors (everyone from Toots and the Maytals to Roxy Music have limited edition records out for the day), music lovers and the generally curious who come in from the street upon hearing the noise.
Following Lykke Li, we pop into Freebird where my friend Jim has an order to collect. It’s a Nirvana record re-issued for the day that’s in it, extremely limited. eBay this morning suggests Jim had a brainwave there, though he makes it clear he won’t sell it. It will likely take pride of place on a mantlepiece.
Fade Street was buzzing, with R.A.G.E (Records Arts Games Emporium) hosting live acts through the day, not to mention sticking a DJ outside in the lovely weather. From about 5pm on, crowds gathered to chill out and relax to the sounds of sweet soul. Soul fans in particular will love the downstairs of R.A.G.E.
Image from R.A.G.E Facebook.
It was far from soul when we popped down to see Squarehead. An excellent live performance, you know a band are good when their live act involves passing a bottle of Buckie into a crowd. They’d already performed in Tower prior to making it to R.A.G.E. Passion is what we call that.
By the time we wrapped the day up via The Oak, Crackbird and the Workmans, we had a fine assortment of 7″ and 12″ records to boast of. What a beautiful format, and thankfully- what a beautiful day to celebrate it on.
Bring on next year.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
Had a great time at the local shop here in Chicago, which opened at midnight on Friday to sell records to a line of customers that stretched down the street and around the corner.