Those we have loved and lost

It's Record Store Day again on Saturday. I won't rehearse my reasons for disliking what it's become, but will mention the tweet I saw a couple of days ago urging punters to be patient and respectful to staff in their quest for limited edition RSD bounty. It's a very sorry state of affairs when a day supposedly intended to celebrate independent record shops has descended into one on which their employees can expect to face abuse just for doing their job.

Still, one RSD-related initiative I can get behind this year is the Cardiff Story Museum trustees' pop-up exhibition on the city's lost gig venues, which is being held in Duke Street Arcade. No doubt the recently closed Gwdihw and Buffalo will feature, as well as older favourites of mine like the Point, the Barfly and Dempseys.

Duke Street Arcade is home to a record shop, Dusty Fingers, but they've "been told we aren't able to stock RSD releases this year". Seriously, what the fuck is that about? Why should participation be exclusive? Why should the event help some stores to the detriment of others? Sorry, back to ranting...