This year Rough Trade is celebrating 50 years of delivering alt-music in DIY fashion. Opened by Geoff Travis in 1976 as a record shop on Kensington Park Road which then developed into an independent record label. In fact, one of the most important and iconic record labels the UK has had, the backbone of the alternative scene, releasing records by The Smiths, Pulp, The Strokes, The Libertines, right up to Sleaford Mods.
Throughout 2026, there will be a programme of shows and releases, including a curated series of 50 era-defining albums by artists including Patti Smith, Aphex Twin, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Björk, The xx, Rina Sawayama, Pulp and many more.
At a time when vinyl sales are on the up, music fans will be excited by these albums being released as Rough Trade Exclusive vinyl editions in five drops of ten titles, each representing a decade. The first drop arrives in February 2026, with subsequent releases every other month, concluding in October. Each title will be available to purchase individually, with an additional option to subscribe to Rough Trade Club: Essential, a new year-long vinyl subscription tied to the 50th anniversary celebrations.
The subscription comprises 12 exclusive vinyl releases selected from the anniversary curation, with members receiving one hand-picked album every month, pressed on Rough Trade Exclusive vinyl and featuring an exclusive insert including liner note contributions from the artists or key figures behind the records. While the 50th anniversary vinyl editions will also be available outside of the subscription, Rough Trade Club: Essential is limited to 500 subscribers, so sign up fast.
Rough Trade are also putting on special shows, with the first being a rare appearance by Jim O’Rourke together with Eiko Ishibashi taking place at Union Chapel on April 13th (Tickets on sale Friday 16th January at 10am).
Then Glaswegian art-rock band Life Without Buildings will play an exclusive reformation show at KOKO on November 19th (Tickets on sale Friday 16th January at 10am).
Further events will be unveiled soon.
Lawrence Montgomery, Managing Director, Rough Trade, saidm “Reaching this 50th anniversary is a proud moment for everyone involved with Rough Trade. Since 1976, we have always been about more than just selling records; it’s been a community space built on passion and a shared love of discovery. Our 50th-anniversary program - from the essential vinyl reissues to the events is designed to honor that history while celebrating the artists and fans who continue to make Rough Trade what it is today.”
