1986-1995. Scenes weren’t dissolving so much as bleeding into one another, creating a landscape where experimentation could travel further without losing its edge.
✍️ blog.roughtrade.com
Browse and buy Rough Trade Anniversary vinyl, ft. exclusive pressings and bespoke inserts, with commentary from those who were there. Available in-store and online.
#RoughTrade50
More than a record store. Since 1976.
This year, we mark 50 years of Rough Trade. Here’s a little bit about us and the story so far...
Whether you’ve been around these parts for a while, or you’re brand new - welcome 🤝
Helmed by the late modern pop auteur Brian Wilson, @thebeachboys ’ ‘Pet Sounds’ turns 60 years old today. It remains one of the most beautiful albums ever created 🐐
Photos: The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ photo shoot by George Jerman at San Diego Zoo, California, in February 1966 | Capitol Photo Archives
Both a rock and roll legend and ambient architect, today we celebrate Brian Eno, born on this day in 1948.
Happy Birthday to one of music’s most groundbreaking experimenters. An ever present pillar of inspiration in our 50 years as music obsessives.
Photo: Brian Eno circa. 1972 shot by Brian Cooke, Redferns
On June 6th 2026, Karman Line Collective will be playing their critically acclaimed album TO BE at @broadwaycinema , 10 years on from the release of ONE by BE, a Rough Trade Album of the Year 2016 - an immersive soundscape blending human music with the sounds of 40,000 honey bees, a project led by Wolfgang Buttress.
Wolfgang created a bee inspired installation at Rough Trade Nottingham, playing there as well as supporting the live performances at St Mary’s Church and Arts Theatre in Nottingham as well as Coventry Cathedral, Glastonbury, Blue Dot, End Of The Road festivals. We are delighted to continue collaborating on this ongoing celebration of bees through art and music.
The Hive return to Broad Street this June with a set of performances that will express a conversation between bee and human centred on the sound of 50,000 bees streamed live from Nottingham Trent University, interwoven with the melodic performance of cello, piano and percussion, and amplified via a 15.2 Surround Sound system.
The event will explore the delicate balance between insect and human, with visual projection, live performance and scents filling the auditorium, creating a sensory experience unlike anything else.
Three performances will take place at 2pm, 5pm and 8.30 on Saturday 6 June.
To find out about all the days events and buy tickets please visit broadway.org.uk/hive
@broadwaycinema@karmanlinecollective@nottinghamtrentuni@roughtrade@roughtradenttm@worldmseum_@caughtbytheriver
‘To Be’ by Karman Line Collective’ is available on black vinyl at Rough Trade.
Next week we return to @beardedtheory for the second stop of #RoughTradeOnTour 2026 🎪
We will be pitching up in the main arena, in the merch tent by the main stage, armed with vinyl, CDs, books, merch. We will be hosting exclusive signings with some of our favourite artists from the festival lineup this year: @theunthanksband , @sprintsmusic , @scalerband , @katenash , @thehorrors and more.
Swipe on to see our full signing scheudule ✍️
You can still grab a ticket at beardedtheory.co.uk.
See you in the tent?
One of music’s most brilliant and creative minds. Happy Birthday to the legendary David Byrne, the pioneering force of Talking Heads, a visionary solo artist and record label boss.
Photo: David Byrne at Rough Trade Below in 2025, by Nate Hutsenpille
The simple joy of putting someone onto something great.
Counter Culture is a new weekly series spotlighting the records shaping conversation across our stores. Staff picks, deep cuts and new (and old) discoveries, direct from the people living and breathing music every day.
First up: @roughtradebristol ’s Adrian recommends Oakland musician @mariab4christ .
What’s the last great album someone recommended to you?
#CounterCulture
SNL UK’s @jack_shep and @alnashcomedy took a little break from writing bits to rifle through the @roughtradewest racks on Monday, our sketchiest looking customers yet 😉
Studio Ghibli, leftfield dance beats, Craig David features and more. Will a SNL UK group trip to Kaytranada finally make it out of (or into) the group chat?
The final episode of @snluk ’s inaugural season airs this Saturday at 10pm BST on Sky One. Don’t miss it.
“The artist nobody can explain and nobody can forget”
Upon the arrival of a new @aldousharding album, Rough Trade’s Stephen Godfroy reflects on the singular vision of the New Zealand singer-songwriter.
‘Train on the Island’ is out now on Aldous’ longtime label home @4ad , a ten-track collection reestablishing Harding’s fascinating and emotive songwriting craft.
Which is your favourite album in Aldous Harding’s discography so far?
✍️ blog.roughtrade.com
