National Album Day is back for a seventh annual celebration this weekend to give music fans the chance to enjoy music as it was meant to be listened to.
The date is being promoted on BBC Radio 2 and it’s a big deal for bands and artists who are set to launch exclusive products to mark the occasion.
Organisers and associated acts are set to champion the event across social media, so it is a celebration you are likely to be well aware of come this weekend.
Here is all you need to know for 2024.
What is National Album Day?
National Album Day has been created to pay tribute to the album, with the format facing stiff competition from music streaming.
“There will be special products, events, and as always, some famous faces helping to promote National Album Day along the way,” a statement read on the official website.
The statement added: “National Album Day was first celebrated in 2018 to praise the album format. After all, we've enjoyed over 70 years of albums; classic, life-changing, first, influential and even the ones we couldn't live without.
“Albums mean different things to different people – but there is no denying the huge impact they’ve not only had on our lives but on British pop culture as we know it.”
When is National Album Day 2024?
The occasion is back for its seventh year in 2024 and will be held on Saturday, October 19.
The theme for the year is Great British Groups and organisers have enlisted acts such as Nova Twins, The Courteeners, Travis, Jeff Wayne and Jazzie B to help promote it.
What is on offer for National Album Day 2024?
There will be exclusive albums on sale from a host of well-known artists - with some pop classics being transitioned onto vinyl for the first time.
All Saints, Embrace, Chemical Brothers, The Proclaimers and Take That are all among the bands to be releasing or rereleasing music in association. The full list is here.
Liam Fray, of The Courteeners, said: “I’m honoured to be a Champion for National Album Day. When I started making music, I didn’t dream I’d write enough songs for an album... I thought it would be a couple of riffs with my childhood friends, coupled with some bad rhymes from my phone.
“But then, as you develop, and grow, you realise it could, with some luck and a lot of hard work… be an album. The album is the canvas, and every corner should be painted. The album tells the whole story that the singles entice you with. In the age of immediacy, singles belong to the ear… But the album belongs to the heart."
