Record Store Day 2026 is shaping up to be a celebration tailor‑made for fans of 80s New Wave, post‑punk, and alternative music. From stalwarts like Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark to Grammy‑winning legends The Cure, this year’s lineup offers a treasure trove of reissues, live recordings, and rare demos. Whether you’re chasing colored vinyl exclusives or long‑lost live sets, the releases highlight just how enduring — and collectible — the sounds of the 80s remain.
The Cure Headlines with Exclusive Re‑Releases
One of the most beloved 80s post‑punk and alternative artists, The Cure lead the day with two big re‑releases on colored vinyl for the first time:
- The Cure – Greatest Hits: On 2‑LP silver bio vinyl, remastered by Robert Smith. Record Store Day exclusive release of 7,300 copies.
- The Cure – Acoustic Hits: Companion to Greatest Hits, recorded in 2001. 2‑LP silver bio vinyl, remastered by Robert Smith. Limited to 7,200 copies.
- The Jesus and Mary Chain – Some Candy Talking EP: First‑ever US pressing of this 1986 EP, packaged with reproduction artwork and a frameable insert featuring new art by Mel Butler. Limited to 2,000 copies.
- Violent Femmes – The Blind Leading the Naked: 40th anniversary re‑release on colored vinyl. Only 1,350 copies produced.
Live Albums Take Center Stage This Record Store Day
Several notable live albums from 80s New Wave favorites, many released for the first time:
- The Cars – Heartbeat City Live: 2‑LP set with 17 songs from the 1984 Houston show. Limited to 3,500 copies.
- Dead or Alive – The Youthquake Tour: 2‑LP purple vinyl, recorded at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Limited to 1,000 copies.
- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – Live at The Ritz NYC 1981: New Year’s Eve show release. Limited to 4,500 copies.
- Pixies – Live in Newport: Acoustic set from Newport Folk Festival 2005. 2‑LP, 2,500 copies.
- The Power Station – Raw Power: Live at The Spectrum, Philadelphia: 3‑LP set with Duran Duran covers. 2,500 copies.
- Ramones – Live in San Francisco: 2‑LP pink vinyl, recorded at Summer In The City festival. 6,000 copies.
- Romeo Void – Live ’81–’85: Gatefold sleeve with archival images. 1,200 copies.
- Stray Cats – Rumble in Brixton (Live): 2‑LP red and white vinyl. Limited to 2,000 copies.
- XTC – Live Boots: Emerald City 1981: Double LP, 200gm vinyl, selected by Andy Partridge. 2,500 copies.
Rare Demos from Talking Heads, OMD & Frankie Goes to Hollywood
- OMD – Archive Vol. 1 (1981–1990): Demos and unreleased tracks from the Souvenir box set. 2‑LP, 3,000 copies.
- Talking Heads – The CBS/Columbia Demos: First vinyl release of early demo sessions. 2‑LP, 7,000 copies.
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Radio One Sessions 1982–1983: Early versions of hits, previously only in the Welcome to the Pleasuredome box set. Limited to 2,000 copies.
Remix Collections from Electronic & Ultravox
- Electronic – 1996 Remixes 1999: Six remixes from Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr’s project. 2,000 copies.
- Ultravox – The Re‑Mixes: Ten newly created 12” remixes of Ultravox classics. Limited to 1,300 copies.
Zoetrope Vinyl Celebrates Iconic 80s Videos
Last year’s Record Store Day had an awesome Duran Duran zoetrope from their Danse Macabre album. This year features a 12″ vinyl of a song that was a record-setting winner of nine MTV awards.
- Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer: 12” zoetrope featuring images from the groundbreaking 1986 music video. Limited to 2,000 copies.
Our Top Five Record Store Day Targets
Last year on Record Store Day, we secured three of our top five albums, missing out on the Duran Duran zoetrope and The B‑52’s picture disc. For Record Store Day Black Friday, we got all three of our top choices. This year’s wish list is ambitious, but here’s our top five:
- The Cure – Acoustic Hits
- Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer Zoetrope
- Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Archive Vol. 1 (1981–1990)
- The Cars – Heartbeat City Live
- Ultravox – The Re‑Mixes
Conclusion
As always, Record Store Day is about more than just the hunt — it’s about rediscovering the artists who defined an era and celebrating their music in a format that feels timeless. From The Cure’s silver vinyl reissues to Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” zoetrope, 2026 offers collectors a chance to own pieces of 80s history in fresh, imaginative ways. Our top five picks may be ambitious, but that’s part of the fun: the chase, the community, and the joy of dropping the needle on something rare. Here’s to another year of vinyl treasures — and to keeping the spirit of the 80s alive, one spin at a time.
