ATL’s Record Store Day top 3
All the places you need to be come April 18
Pretty much every record store in town boasts a great sale come Record Store Day. Wuxtry and Fantasyland are stocking the exclusive titles, Moods Music/Little 5 Soul is throwing a day party, and Decatur CD is offering up free Dogfish Head beer to its loyal customers. But only a few shops are bringing live music to the celebration this year. Here’s a quick and dirty field guide to your three best bets for RSD festivities.
Little Five Points’ Record Store Day ground zero has headliner Lonnie Holley, whose eccentric blend of improvised gospel, R&B, and folk art sounds will yield a mesmerizing performance. Holley will perform alongside guitarist Marshall Ruffin and drummer Philip Mayer (David Wax Museum, Kishi Bashi). Other acts are a mystery for now, but expect some special guests to take the stage at Criminal, whose owner Eric Levin co-founded RSD in 2007. This year, beloved local artist R. Land has designed the store’s annual RSD logo, and the store will have lithographs from Dogfish Head and Kosmo Vinyl as well as the yearly LP and CD sidewalk sale. 1154A Euclid Ave. N.E. 404-215-9511.
The long-standing L5P institution boasts a stacked lineup of performers including psych-shoegaze trippers Spirits and the Melchizedek Children, Nashville’s bluesy Blackfoot Gypsies, and singer/guitarist Kim Ware. Plus, there’s the annual bargain CD and LP sale happening behind the store on Seminole Avenue. 432 Moreland Ave. N.E. 404-525-2275.
Riverdale’s favorite CD shopping spot hosts its annual daylong barbecue and a lineup overflowing with local soul and hip-hop talent. Duluth’s gospel powerhouse Casey J and neo-soul artist Anthony David stand out from the crowd. Rapper Mac Boney, DJ Jelly, DJ Goldfinger, and others will be providing entertainment throughout the day, and more special guests will be announced soon. 6610 Highway 85, Riverdale. 770-997-5776.