We don't need much of an excuse to go shopping for vinyls and CDs - but World Record Store Day will do just fine.
Whether you've been an avid collector of vinyls and CDs or you've jumped on the band wagon this time round, there's nothing quite like grabbing yourself a new disc for your record player.
Leeds is absolutely packed with amazing independent record shops where you can browse for rare vinyls and pick up other collectors' items.
And that applies all year round - not just for World Record Store Day, which this year will fall on Saturday 18 April.
Here are our favourite places to go record shopping in and around Leeds.
Jumbo Records
1-3 Merrion Centre, Leeds city centre
Jumbo Records in Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Jumbo Records is an absolute record shop institution and has proudly stood in Leeds for more than 50 years.
Located inside the Merrion Centre, this huge music hub has every single type of music you can imagine and their wonderful staff are on hand to help you navigate around this treasure trove. Within their four walls you'll find endless new and old vinyls, CDs, books, magazines, cassettes, limited edition prints, tickets and loads more - whatever you can imagine, they have it.
Jumbo Records even holds live performances in-store. Remember when a few stages blew away at Leeds Fest? Well, Jumbo opened its doors to the likes of Wunderhorse so they could swing by and play a few songs. So basically what we're trying to say is Jumbo Records is goated and if you need anything music-related, this is where you need to be heading.
For Record Store Day 2026, they'll be open from 8am with 500+ releases, live music, and a pop-up bar.
Vinyl Whistle and Meanhood
Otley Road, Headingley
The Vinyl Whistle in Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Named after a love of both vinyl records and football, Vinyl Whistle is an indie record store that stocks new and old EPs, and has a coffee shop/ beer taps/live gig venue right in the middle of their store.
Owners Jim and Katie just expanded their offering even further too, launching Meanhood right beneath Vinyl Whistle with a mission to make DJing more accessible across Leeds.
This record store day, they'll have friends on the decks ALL DAY from 8am to 11pm.
Released Records
Corn Exchange, Leeds City Centre
You can also shop with them at Hyde Park Book ClubReleased Records in the Corn Exchange
Hidden away from the crowds inside Leeds Corn Exchange, Released Records offers an eclectic mix of new and pre-loved records. They're a dog-friendly store too, and they'll be offering all of the best World Record Store Day options to lucky shoppers too.
The owners are happy to talk all things music all day long and the brand even has its own label: The Lost Record.
You can shop their curated collections elsewhere in Leeds too - these guys are in charge of the vinyl collections at Hyde Park Book Club, and Outlaws Yacht Club.
One of our go-tos for vinyl shopping in Leeds has to be Crash Records, which is a true cornerstone of the Leeds music scene.
It's been around for 41 years this year, specialising in indie, alternative, rock, punk, and metal.
You'll find endless treasures hidden inside these walls, PLUS Crash Records is given an allocation for local gig tickets - and shopping with them is so much more exciting than just logging on to Ticketmaster.
Too Damn Loud
Kirkgate Market
This is one of the most long-standing businesses inside Kirkgate Market, operating since 1974 with a huge selection for music-lovers to browse through.
Peter, along with his wife, have run the store themselves for the past half-century - and during this time have made the transition from vinyls, to tapes and CD, and then back to vinyls again - plus you’ll find video tapes and DVDs in here too spanning across all genres and age groups.
The name came from the owner’s original neighbour complaining that the store was ‘Too Damn Loud’ - and it’s stuck ever since.
Plant & Deck
Upstairs in The Doghouse, 93 Kirkgate
Where do you go when you want to buy vines and vinyls these days? The answer is obviously Plant and Deck in its new home.
Head upstairs (and upstairs again) in Doghouse and you'll find this haven for vinyl records and house plants.
With those amazing vaulted ceilings and wood beams, and vinyls spinning all day long, this jungle of electronic music looks as good as it sounds.
Holding Patterns
2A Albion Place
Holding Patterns is a bar in Leeds that sounds as good as it looks.
From a vinyl listening station to a state-of-the-art sound system, and with vinyl DJs and selectors blessing your ears in the evenings, this is where to bring all the music-lovers in your life.
There’s a concise list of gorgeous cocktails, natural wines, crafts beers and delicious coffees too.
Tribe Records in Leeds is a renowned independent vinyl shop specialising in electronic music, including house, techno, electro, reggae, and dub.
Reopened in 2020 after a hiatus, it acts as a vital community hub run by Simon Scott, supplying new/used records, and supporting local DJs with expert advice.
North South Vintage
Headingley Lane, Headingley / Hyde Park Corner
For those solely interested in shopping for second-hand treasures, North South Vintage (formerly Vintage Boutique) is an unmissable stop.
Located right in the heart of studentsville spaces between Hyde Park and Headingley, this vintage store has plenty of hidden diamonds in the rough, just waiting to be uncovered.
Expect a huge array of 70s and 80s bangers, as well as contemporary house mixes amongst old football scarves, retro Nikes and an impressive collection of classic novels.
Kenzo Jae is a creative who wants to put Bradford on the music map through his alternative-rap tracksand now he's Audio North's Artist of the Month.
This multi-tasking mastermind doesn't only record his own music, he's also a digital illustrator and graphic designer - Oh, and he even directs his own music videos (Leave some talent for the rest of us - We're begging).
Embarking on The Sloth Tour with three UK based dates in Manchester, Leeds and London throughout October, where Kenzo Jae will be playing out hits like 'Softly', 'Chicken Bagel', 'End of the World' and more.
This storytelling songwriter now sits down with Audio North to chat all things Artist of the Month and share a little more insight into his music career so far.
Audio North's Artist of the Month - Kenzo Jae | Interview
How much does being from Bradford influence the music you release?
All aspects of my personality have been influenced by Bradford, and I’m never more myself than when I’m writing. So lyrically Bradford has had a big impact.
What’s it like being an artist from Bradford?
At first it felt like something I had to hide. Now it’s something I wear as a badge. There’s not many of us in the grand scheme of things. It’s a niche club and I love that. The underdogs.
What northern artists are you loving at the minute?
If you could describe your artistry in three words what would they be and why?
Honest - I try not to hide behind anything in my music even when it’s critical of myself. If something has happened to me or I’m feeling something, I’d rather put it into a song exactly as it is. Might take me a few years but once it’s in the song I can get over it
Colourful - The vision of the world of my music to me feels saturated and bright. the occasional darkness but for the most part.
Arrogant - I think it takes a level of arrogant to do and say certain things in my music. Even to do the visual aspects too painting myself pink, wearing a sloth hat etc Takes an arrogance to think yeah I can put myself in such a weird position and believe it’s going to work
You’ve already amassed over 100k streams on SLOTH - How are you feeling about its reception so far?
It’s been great to see that people have really resonated with the story and the arc I have been on. I want to push it further and hope it reaches everyone that needs it
How fulfilling is it for you to release the SLOTH mixtape, a title you’ve held onto since you were 16?
The most cathartic feeling. Especially when it’s you know you’ve made it exactly the way I intended. It’s also a learning curve for things I will do differently for the next one.
You posted a reel describing how you spent two weeks animating a music video for yourself- How important is being hands-on in all aspects of your music career?
I’m a control freak. And if something is in my head, it’s a lot easier to do it myself. Don’t get me wrong , I work with a lot of hard working talented people that I can now trust and delegate work to. But on this instant, I love animation and I find the most enjoyment in editing visuals
Since you have a track titled ‘Chicken Bagel’, where are some of your favourite brunch or general food spots in West Yorkshire?
I grew up on chicken shops and Salah's is the goat. In terms of restaurants, Classic Persian is the best for me.
You’re not afraid of risk-taking and standing out, even going as far as painting yourself pink for one of your visuals - what advice would you give to any emerging artists who want to be as confident as you?
You have to be willing to embarrass yourself. The stuff that feels slightly uncomfortable, is usually the stuff that people remember.
And confidence doesn’t necessarily mean thinking you’re amazing. Sometimes it’s just being willing to say, “I don’t care if this is weird, I like it.”
It’s also it’s just more fun to feel like your outside of the box
Innovative Leeds music venue TESTBED announces launch party lineup
Thomas Melia
Ever-evolving Leeds music hotspot TESTBED is making its grand return to Leeds city centre with an impressive launch party lineup.
Recognised as a cultural venue for bringing people together via music, TESTBED has hosted a variety of club nights in its warehouse location since 2024.
Back in April, it was announced that the team behind this rave-centric club were transforming this space from it's 'Phase 1.3' to 'Phase 2.0'.
Now, TESTBED has released the full lineup for its upcoming launch party which will show off some of the venue's latest features like its 360-degree DJ booth, improved acoustics and 5,000 sq ft mezzanine and balcony area.
Annie Mac is headlining the TESTBED Leeds launch party joined by Horse Meat Disco / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Previous performers include Liverpool dance music duo Camelphat, house music DJ Alisha, Netherlands-own Chris Stussy and more, so it will come as no surprise that this relaunch features an equally-stellar lineup.
Fronting the bill for the TESTBED Launch Party is none other than EDM connoisseur and influential figure Annie Mac, who's hosted a variety of radio shows across the BBC as well as curating a set or two herself.
Also in attendance is Horse Meat Disco, a group who put disco and queer culture at the forefront of each and every high-energy set.
Irish selector Shee is also showing off his music expertise and already having collaborations with the likes of A-trak and Karma Kid, expect to hear some tunes.
Shee and Junior Simba will be taking to the decks to wow the crowds over at TESTBED Leeds / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Seasoned club DJ and presenter Marcia Carr, known for playing live sets with vinyl records, will also be soundtracking the night too, playing out everything from Afrohouse to dubstep.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Leeds-based party without some local talent courtesy of Junior Simba who's quickly become a key player in the house music scene.
And if that wasn't enough raving for you, TESTBED has already announced even more insane nights of music madness featuring ROSSI., Interplanetary Criminal and Obskür.
TESTBED's opening party is taking place on Saturday 3 October from 2pm til 12am and you can grab tickets from as little as £20 HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
16th April 2026 
