Freebird Records in Dublin are busy cataloguing the last of the records for Drop 1 of Record Store Day tomorrow (June 12) but still have time to be excited about the event.

The shop is especially looking forward to some of the Irish acts who have made special records available for release on the day.

“We’re expecting Fontaines D.C. to be a big one, and U2’s always big,” says Seán Nolan, a staff member at Freebird Records.

Seán pointed out the value of Record Store Day for record stores. “It’s important for raising the profile of record shops. It's great publicity to get people in who wouldn’t normally come into the shop,” he says.

Although live performances won't be a feature of this year's event, Seán recalls the joy of a Record Store Day without restrictions.

“There was a good one a few years ago," he says. "School Tour were playing an improvised noise set in the shop that scared the bejaysus out of everyone, and that was quite fun. It was very uncomfortable at the time but definitely a good memory to have!”

Freebird Records are in the final stages of their preparation - as they ready the shop to be Covid-proof for vinyl nerds desperate to get their hands on the exclusive releases. Seán summed up the general feeling of many record stores ahead of Drop 1: “It's obviously a bit different again this year, but we’re excited.”

For more information see freebirdrecords.com

Keep an eye on hotpress.com for more Record Store Day 2021 content.