User Explores Features on 2022 Site Version

In 2022, Rough Trade UK independent record stores experienced one of their busiest years yet, marking a post-pandemic surge in live music and a year filled with highly-anticipated releases and impressive visiting artists. As we reflect on the past 12 months, we would like to share some of the moments that defined our year.

We are proud to be a vital force in the UK's independent record store scene, and much of our success is thanks to the unwavering support of our fans. On behalf of everyone at Rough Trade, we would like to express our gratitude. We wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you in 2023.

Emerging Talent

One of the best ways to review the past year is by looking at the fresh talent that emerged. Launched at the end of 2021, On The Rise champions up-and-coming projects that we believe our customers shouldn't miss. In 2022, we saw the debuts of promising acts such as Speedy Wunderground's sublime Honeyglaze, experimental post-punk trio Thus Love, Glaswegian glam squad Walt Disco, rocking Welsh six-piece CVC, and punk poet Sinead O'Brien.

Other notable newcomers who made a significant impact on their budding careers include Tampa Bay Anglophiles They Hate Change, gifted vocalist Marina Allen, UK punks High Vis, and 4AD's fresh signee Bartees Strange. In 2023, reserve a spot in your record collection for lo-fi pop newcomer Mui Zyu and punchy pop-punk from Brighton's ARXX.

Sold-Out Shows and Unforgettable Performances

2022 was another year of sold-out shows and exceptional live performances. While it's impossible to encapsulate all our favorite events, we would like to highlight a few select highlights across our stores.

Rough Trade Nottingham

Following a long-awaited set at East, Jockstrap took over our Nottingham store to celebrate the release of their highly anticipated debut, I Love You Jennifer B. The duo's set was the talk of the town for days following. Dirty Hit trailblazer Beabadoobee stole the show with her intimate acoustic performance, and it was a pleasure to welcome the genuine and talented Johnny Marr through the Notts doors for a signing with his supportive fans.

Rough Trade Bristol

A sold-out show with Mercury Prize-nominated Kojey Radical proved to be one for the books down in the West Country, and New Orleans dance punkers Special Interest brought big energy celebrating their our website Records debut, Endure. To top things off, our team at Bristol enjoyed a super special visit from Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan, who came to sign their excellent memoir, Faith, Hope and Carnage.

Rough Trade East

Jack White's biblical set at our website East back in July will be forever etched in our memories, and we celebrated the milestone year for the Detroit artist with an LTD edition Tote Bag featuring an iconic photo booth snap of the man himself. It was also a year for notable performances from Wu-Lu, Bob Vylan, Sudan Archives, and more.

Rough Trade West

We held many unforgettable shows at our website West, including several unplugged performances and signings from names like Porridge Radio, Nation of Language, Angel Olsen, Shoplifting with The Lounge Society, and more.

Out-Stores

Legends such as Interpol celebrated their new album, The Other Side of Make Believe, at stunning Hackney Church, Suede made an excellent return to form at The Fleece in Nottingham, Fontaines D.C. tore up Earth Hackney in honor of Skinty Fia, and Father John Misty put on a captivating show at the acoustically-renowned St George's Bristol. We also launched Club Shy, a sold-out soiree with surprise guests, presented and curated by experimentalist Shygirl, at Metropolis Club in Bethnal Green.

Rough Trade Soho

In October, we welcomed a new store to the our website family, our website Soho, located on Beak Street. We celebrated with a cosy gathering of friends and a wonderful live performance from The Golden Dregs. We hope that this is the first of many live performances to come.

2023 Events Now Booking

Beyond the special moments we shared with artists and fans at our live in-stores, we spent the music further afield, pitching up our tent for special acoustic performances and album signings at a number of triumphant UK festivals. From Wide Awake, Love Supreme, and End of the Road, to name a few, we were thrilled to return to the festival circuit after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Noteworthy Releases

Throughout the year, we celebrated a select few releases that captured our hearts and ears just a little bit more. In 2022, Leeds post-punkers Yard Act kicked off the proceedings with their debut, The Overload, which we named our January Album of the Month. An exciting following act came from Mitski, with her pandemic album and sixth full-length record, Laurel Hell, which went on to become a Top 20 title in our Albums of the Year 2022 list.

A year for strong debuts, we then welcomed Afrobeat-jazz fusion octet Kokoroko, who wowed us with their familiar magic in August, releasing their much-awaited debut full-length, Could We Be More, via Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings. Drawing the year to an excellent close album-wise, Alvvays made the most welcome of returns in October with Blue Rev. Rounding off the killer releases in our last month of the year was Leftfield's This Is What We Do, their fourth album in 28 years, retaining the dancefloor intuition of their 90's heyday.

Books of the Year

It's not just albums we've been reading this year. There have been a series of notable events and a much-celebrated Books of the Year list, crowning Miki Berenyi as our favorite paper companion of 2022.

The former Lush star and talented author has fronted several events with us this year, celebrating not only her acclaimed memoir but International Women's Day where she joined Nadine Shah to discuss the experience of being a woman in the music industry, an insightful look ahead at how far we've come and what lies ahead. Peter Doherty, Fat White Family's Lias Saoudi, author Adelle Stripe, Steven Wilson, Nick Cave, and Sean O'Hagan were also among the writers who celebrated their 2022 publications with anticipated events or signings with us and shortly after also celebrated their inclusion in our Books of the Year 2022 Top 20 list.

A special mention goes to Bono, who quietly came through in November to sign a limited amount of copies of his new book, Surrender. It was a pleasure to meet the iconic artist who gave so much of his time and attention to store staff and surprised customers.

Books of the Year: Sign up and be the first to know about upcoming pre-orders, exclusives, and special offers.

In the world of entertainment, Rough Trade UK delved into various genres beyond music. The home-and-garden section saw a flurry of activity as we welcomed a new addition to our stores - Rough Trade Soho, located on Beak Street. It was a delightful event that included a live performance by The Golden Dregs.

For bookworms, 2022 was a year of noteworthy literary releases. Miki Berenyi, the former Lush star and talented author, captivated readers with her acclaimed memoir, garnering her the title of our favorite paper companion of 2022. Berenyi also joined Nadine Shah for a discussion on International Women's Day, providing an insightful look at the experience of being a woman in the music industry.

In the realm of home-and-garden and literature, Rough Trade UK continued to offer an engaging lifestyle experience for its customers. For those who love to read, sign up to be the first to know about pre-orders, exclusives, and special offers in our Books of the Year. And for those who are always on the hunt for the latest books, we invite you to explore our wide range of literature offerings, fostering a love for reading and learning.

On the other hand, music enthusiasts were spared no treats in 2022. From highly-anticipated releases to impressive visiting artists, the year was filled with unforgettable moments. Bono made a surprise visit to sign a limited edition of his new book, Surrender, adding yet another memorable encounter to the Rough Trade UK story.

To keep updated on our latest music releases, exclusive offers, and special events, sign up to our newsletter. Whether it's immersing yourself in a good book, browsing through our extensive records, or attending one of our many live performances, Rough Trade UK invites you to indulge in a lifestyle filled with endless entertainment and enriching experiences.