Record Store Day 2026 will feature a special edition of Rory Gallagher's 1976 album Calling Card to mark its 50th anniversary and raise funds for War Child UK. The event, set for April 18, includes releases from artists like The Cure and Fleetwood Mac, with proceeds aiding children affected by conflicts in regions such as Palestine and Ukraine. A new charity album, HELP(2), also contributes with covers and new tracks from prominent musicians.
Record Store Day 2026, the 19th annual celebration of independent record shops in the UK, is scheduled for Saturday, April 18. Over 280 stores will participate, offering exclusive releases from hundreds of artists to support War Child UK, the event's official charity partner. Among the highlights is a special release of Rory Gallagher's Calling Card, his sixth studio album from 1976, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. This was Gallagher's final album with drummer Rod de'Ath and keyboardist Lou Martin. The Record Store Day website describes it as "one of his most celebrated and diverse albums."
The Dubliners later recorded a version of a track from Calling Card for their 1992 album, 30 Years A' Greying. Other announced releases include works from The Cure, Fleetwood Mac, Divorce, Primal Scream, Bring Me The Horizon, and Sigrid.
Complementing these is the charity album HELP(2), featuring contributions from artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Depeche Mode, Pulp, and Young Fathers. Fontaines D.C. provide a cover of Sinéad O'Connor's 'Black Boys on Mopeds.' The first single, 'Opening Night' by The Arctic Monkeys, represents the band's first new music since their 2022 album The Car.
Every copy sold will donate £1 to War Child UK, helping protect, educate, and support the mental health of children impacted by war in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and Syria. The full list of Record Store Day 2026 releases is expected in the coming weeks.
