Where to Get Your Groove on This Record Store Day, Apr 13

Over the past few years, vinyl has been seeing something of a resurgence here in Beijing. Nurtured by a variety of factors – a new wave of DIY labels and longstanding labels getting in on the fad, hordes of devout vinyl junkies finding a new and convenient platform for sharing via WeChat, and of course, the rise of middle class customers across the city – more and more people are finding comfort in the medium. So it comes as no surprise that the festivities surrounding Record Store Day are attracting more and more attention.

Conceived in 2007 as a way for "people who make up the world of the record store – the staff, the customers, and the artists – to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently owned stores play in their communities" (yes, even in Antarctica), Record Store Day turns 12 this Saturday, Apr 13. As such, we’ve got the scoop on where to head out to get your vinyl fix this upcoming Saturday afternoon courtesy of Beijing’s finest record purveyors – Fruityshop and Floso.

What we described as the "wax mecca for Beijing's vinyl devotees" back when it opened in December of last year, Fruityshop, located off of Gaobeidian Beilu, will throw an afternoon showcase featuring Beijing’s leading record collectors and promoters of vinyl culture.

Those vinyl junkies include fRUITY GROUP, made up of fRUITYZHENG and fRUITYBIGCHI and their love for all that’s jazz, soul, funk, and world music; DJ Boss Cuts and his deep collection of 45s from across the world (“My bank account does not thank me,” he sighs); Beau, a blogger and record collector with an affinity for jazz and deep grooves; and the ever-prolific DJ Watermelon who’s simply thankful for "friends, love, and music" this year. If that wasn’t enough, they’re asking fellow enthusiasts to bring their records over for a spin while Tiny Beer will provide the social lubricants needed to pop in a hip shake or two. Things kick off over there at 3pm.

While Floso, the tiny vinyl heaven for fans of left-field electronica and underground hip-hop, will be hosting Beijing's modular synth fanatics AKA The Modular Commune (all kinds of awesome there) with special guest and German techno producer Peter Kirn (of Create Digital Music). Head over on Saturday from 3pm onwards.

In addition, Floso has teamed up with Vice on Saturday, 2-7pm to host a blow-out record fair in the latter's offices nearby Beer Mania in Sanlitun. They'll have over 3,000 records on sale as well as an array of musical acts, including minimal techno giant SHAO, producer Wen Liang, and more on hand keeping our ears entertained (the Jing-A beer will certainly help too).

When I asked what Floso owner Liu Wei was thankful for this year, he told me he was grateful for being able to host such large-scale offline events in this day and age, adding cheekily, “Resist The Internet!” Now that’s a sermon I’m sure plenty of us vinyl lovers can get behind.

Finally, if you want to get an early start on the black stuff, head over to Dada on Friday night, where they're hosting an All Vinyl All Night party, once again headed by fRUITY GROUP.

Love live the mighty phonograph!

READ: Fruityshop's New Venue is the Wax Mecca for Beijing's Vinyl Devotees

Images: Unplash