Knowle, Are You Ready? Record Store Day Comes to the Knowle!

This Saturday, Knowle High Street comes alive for Record Store Day – 18th April 2026 – and it’s shaping up to be a brilliant one.

Slow Century Records is joining over 300 independent record shops across the country in this annual celebration of music, vinyl and the culture that surrounds them. Doors open at 9am with exclusive Record Store Day releases on a first come, first served basis – and yes, queuing is absolutely part of the tradition.

While you wait, artist Nigel – aka GrumpleStiltStine – will be painting the shop’s front window live throughout the morning, creating a Shellac-inspired scene right before your eyes. Viola will be opening early too, keeping those refreshments flowing for anyone arriving ahead of the doors.

Once inside, in-house artist Ugs will be selling a selection of her work and chatting about commissions. The afternoon brings live music, with Alistair Aktas playing a Nick Drake-inspired set at 14:30, followed by Sweetpool – the inaugural signing to the Slow Century record label — at 17:00.

But the music doesn’t stop at the record shop. There’s live performance running across Knowle from 11am right through to 20:30, with acts at Cristal Boutique, The Ale Rooms, Monica’s Bakes, Swan Yard Café, Bistro Viola, Loki Wine Bar and The Vaults.

The full running order for Saturday 18th April

• 11:00 Cristal Boutique – Sneaky Plan
• 12:30 The Ale Rooms – Guitar George Wilson
• 13:30 Monica’s Bakes – Liz Lilac
• 14:30 Slow Century Records – Alistair Aktas
• 15:00 Swanyard Cafe – Shapethelight
• 16:00 Bistro Viola – Marc Cijfer DJ Set 1
• 17:00 Slow Century Records – Sweetpool
• 18:00 Bistro Viola – Marc Cijfer DJ Set 2
• 19:00 Loki Wine Bar – Tracer
• 20:30 The Vaults – Shed Men Walking

For opening times, exclusive releases and everything else happening on the day, follow Slow Century Records.

A record, a print and a pint of the exclusive Slow Century IPA from The Ale Rooms? That’s a pretty good Saturday. Make sure you have a visit to Knowle on your to-do list this Saturday.

A Village That Does Things Together

What makes this day so good isn’t just the music – it’s how our independent businesses right across the villages are celebrating with one of our newest businesses. Shops and cafes are hosting artists and welcome people in, all on the same day. That collaboration is Knowle’s super power.  The collaboration between Slow Century Records, the cafés, the bars, the shops and the artists involved is something to be genuinely proud of. Long may it continue.