Featuring a cross-section of supreme Australian talent from all corners of the country, the 2026 RSD incarnation is chock-a-block of standout vinyl releases, featuring the likes of Australia’s iconic electropop duo Empire of the Sun, North Queensland’s Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Torres Strait Islander songwriter and performer Kee’ahn, electronic dance afficionados Crooked Colours, releases from two of Australia’s famed indie-rock staples, Holy Holy and Perth’s Spacey Jane, a 12” of singles, unreleased demos, and stripped-down recordings via Ruel, a spectacular collaboration between Mutti Mutti songwriter Kutcha Edwards and the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, a live compilation from NSW record store Hiss & Crackle, along with the barking mad return of Queensland favourite turned global superstar, Bluey and more.
The full Australian release list can be viewed and downloaded HERE
Holy Holy’s inclusion in RSD 2026 feels particularly special. Their release follows the 2025 announcement of their indefinite hiatus, and this year, the band is sharing a vinyl debut of Sweet Bitter Sweet exclusively for RSD.
Originally released digitally in 2025, the vinyl is split into two distinct halves, with five newly written songs alongside five reimagined versions of beloved tracks drawn from across the band’s 14-year career. According to the band, the release is “an intimate parting gift for fans. “The living of life is the saying goodbye – so be it. Some loves just stay with you.”
In an era of renewed appreciation for analogue, celebrating a musical ecosystem beyond streaming platforms matters more than ever.
To Record Store Day Australia, record stores are so much more than retail spaces. They are also enduring community hubs, where shared musical passion forges deep connections that digital, algorithm-driven platforms often fail to replicate.
These physical spaces facilitate intergenerational connections, from first-time vinyl buyers to seasoned collectors sharing their knowledge, and ensuring culture remains accessible.
The continued existence of the physical music and vinyl ecosystem is a conscious choice, and Record Store Day underscores the unique and tangible benefits of physical music retail over digital alternatives: human-driven discovery, the promotion of intentional listening experiences, and community support for artist development.
To Mitchel Eaton, the owner of Newcastle’s record store staple Hiss & Crackle, the RSD vinyl release Live At Hiss & Crackle – Volume 1 (Various Artists) bottles both the physical experience of a record store and the buzz of a live instore experience.
“Since 2019 we have been celebrating the rich and diverse music community that we are very proud to be part of, with live music for all ages upon our instore stage.
Volume 1 celebrates this with a 100% locally sourced talent track list. The Newcastle live music scene is thriving, and we are grateful to have these amazing acts grace our instore stage, and even luckier to record those performances.”
Indeed, the continued resurgence of physical music formats – from vinyl to CDs, cassettes, and more – encourages music lovers to unite within record stores to discover music, connect with their communities, and celebrate the enduring musical culture.
It’s now almost 20 years into Record Store Day, and since its inception in 2008, it has grown into a global centrepiece of independent music retail. The day continues to support music communities, labels, and emerging and established artists, while highlighting our local indie record stores’ unique role as cultural hubs and community spaces.
Previous years have seen releases issued as part of Record Store Day Australia from Ninajirachi, Ruel, You Am I, Pond, The Grogans, Olana Janfa, Beth and Blue, Heavy Moss, Ella Thompson, Ocean Alley, Underground Lovers, Montaigne, Tasman Keith, Confidence Man, Peking Duk and Darren Hayes collaboration, The Wiggles, Bluey and more.
There is still plenty more to come in 2026. Stay tuned for more Australian release announcements shortly.
RSD AUSTRALIAN RELEASE LIST 2026
Bluey
Up Here, Limited Zoetrope Picture Disc Vinyl
Crooked Colours
Vera, 12” Purple Splash Edition
Sweat It Out
Empire Of The Sun
WALKING ON A DREAM, EXPANDED EDITION
Universal
Holy Holy
Sweet Bitter Sweet, red and blue marble vinyl
Sony Music Australia
Kee’ahn
for me, for you x, Vinyl
Northside Records
Kutcha Edwards with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra
Warta-Kiki, Blue Vinyl
JUPiTA
iO. DELUXE, vinyl, slipmat & stickers
Ruel
What It Sounds Like, Vinyl
Recess Records
Saint Ergo
Lived Experience, Vinyl
Spacey Jane
Live At The Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW, 2025
Limited Coke Bottle Green Coloured Vinyl
Starley
Call On Me, 12” Single Picture Disc
Central Station Records
Live At Hiss & Crackle
Volume 1, Vinyl, Various Artists,
Hiss & Crackle Records
Plus more to be announced!
