Record Store Day 2026: The 12 albums to keep an eye out for this Saturday

Record Store Day 2026 is this Saturday (18 April), and on the release lists this year are plenty of albums that you may wish to add to your collection. 

If you didn’t already know, the day is celebrated worldwide to champion record stores around the globe and physical listening formats (vinyl and CD) by releasing records to be exclusively purchased on Record Store Day.

In true Sound fashion, here’s a wrap-up of some classic rock vinyl you might want to keep an eye out for if you’re hitting stores this Saturday.

Pink Floyd - ‘Live from the Los Angeles Sports Arena, April 26th, 1975’ 4 x LP or 2 x CD 

16 live recordings from Pink Floyd’s legendary Los Angeles Sports Arena concert on April 26th, 1975. Audio captured by renowned bootlegger Mike Millard and restored + remastered by producer and musician Steven Wilson.

Available on vinyl (4 x LPs pressed on clear vinyl) and on CD (2 x CDs).

Alice Cooper - ‘The Revenge of Alice Cooper - Limited Picture Disc’ 2 x LP

A special ‘Limited Picture Disc’ pressing of the Alice Cooper group’s 2025 reunion album, which brought the original group back together after 50 years.

Cream - ‘Wheels of Fire: Live at the Fillmore Auditorium & Winterland Ballroom’ 3 x LP 

A special edition of Cream’s third album, ‘Wheels of Fire’. 3LP on black vinyl featuring the original four tracks on ‘Wheels of Fire: Live at the Fillmore’ and eight additional tracks performed at the March 1968 gigs.

All tracks have been newly remastered. The additional tracks include ‘We’re Going Wrong’, which has never been officially released before.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - ‘Live at the Ritz  NYC 1981’ LP

A live album from one of the most exciting times in the career of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Features the performance from the band’s New Year's Eve show at The Ritz, New York - including ‘Bad Reputation’ and more.

Crosby, Stills & Nash - ‘The Solo Albums’ 4 x LP

Four LPs - The landmark debut studio albums from David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, plus one LP made up of rare demos and sessions from the three albums. 

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - ‘July 16, 1978 - Paradise Theater, Boston, MA’ LP

Finally, an official vinyl of recordings from the bands' You’re Gonna Get It tour performance at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. A night that was famously recorded on 2-track, broadcast by a local radio station, and then bootlegged by listeners.

Audio restoration by Ryan Ulyate. Pressed on 180g pink and green translucent splatter colour vinyl. Contains a vintage tour sticky pass. 

Def Leppard - ‘Slang’ 2 x LP

A release of Def Leppard’s sixth studio album (the first to feature guitarist Vivian Campbell), personally curated by Joe Elliott, with B-sides and rarities added to the mix. 

Presented on coloured vinyl with new enhanced artwork. 

Van Halen - ‘Live in New Haven, CT 1986’ 2 x LP

Van Halen’s 5150 tour New Haven summer shows from 40 years ago, released on vinyl for the first time. Includes their live performances of hits, album cuts, covers, and soon-to-be classics.

Pressed on clear vinyl.

Thin Lizzy - ‘Live in Cleveland 1976’ 2 x LP

The first official version on vinyl of live performances from Thin Lizzy’s Cleveland show in 1976 (a year when Thin Lizzy were at their peak with the release of two albums, ‘Johnny the Fox’ and ‘Jailbreak’).

A 2LP set with printed inserts on transparent vinyl.

Talking Heads - ‘The CBS/Columbia Demos’ 2 x LP

First official vinyl release of demo sessions recorded by Talking Heads' original line-up of Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, and Chris Frantz for CBS/Columbia in 1975.

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow - ‘Live from Koln 1976’ 3 x LP 

First time vinyl release for Rainbow’s performance at Cologne’s Kölner Sporthalle 50 years ago on their debut world tour. Includes classics newly remastered by Andy Pearce and Mat Wortham.

Each of the three LPs has been pressed in a different colour (translucent red, yellow, and blue). 

Ian Dury & the Blockheads - ‘Live in London 1980’ 2 x LP 

Another first-ever vinyl release! This time, from the incredible live concert of Ian Dury & the Blockheads performance at London’s Dominion Theatre on Christmas Eve 1980 (originally transmitted as a TV special).

Pressed on orange vinyl.

Honourable mentions:

The Cars - ‘Heartbeat City Live’ 2 x LP

The Doors - ‘Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress, Part 2’ LP. A follow-up to last year's Record Store Day release of Part 1.  

The Who - ‘A Quick One’ 2 x LP

 David Bowie - ‘Excerpts From Outside’ LP

The Stranglers - ‘Rarities’ LP. Pressed on white/purple splatter vinyl.

For all of these, you can find the full track lists, release quantities, and more using the artist/album search feature HERE on the Record Store Day website. List of participating record stores in New Zealand HERE.