Olivia Dean announced as ambassador of Record Store Day UK
Record Store Day UK has announced Olivia Dean as the official ambassador for 2026, serving as a champion for the culture of independent record shops and their vital role within their local communities
Dean, who has made strides with her 2025 breakout album The Art of Loving, joins the likes of previous ambassadors including Sam Fender, Kate Bush, Taylor Swift, the 1975, Noel Gallagher and Elton John. As part of Record Store Day 2026, the soul pop singer-songwriter will also be releasing Live at the BBC, featuring live renditions of tracks by Carole King and boygenius, available exclusively as a limited edition black 7’’ vinyl from participating independent record stores on Saturday, 18 April.
Speaking about the ambassador role, Dean says: “It’s such an honour to be the Record Store Day Ambassador for 2026. Independent record stores are such special spaces to discover and share music - to actually touch it and feel it. I’ve found so much inspiration in the records I’ve collected over the years and am so grateful for all the hidden gems I’ve found. I want to thank the record stores around the world for all the support you’ve given me over the years. It’s so important we continue to support them and keep them alive!”
Jane Unwin from Banquet Records adds: “Olivia Dean being this year's ambassador is a quality endorsement of RSD and of record shops themselves. Supportive of indie shops for years, Olivia's a legit modern pop star - not only a massive live draw, but consistently selling loads of physical music week in, week out. There's a very clear understanding of what makes physical music special, whether it's The Art of Loving on coloured vinyl, the RSD Black Friday split with Sam Fender, or this year's RSD 7” cover versions.”
For more information on Record Store Day 2026, visit recordstoreday.co.uk
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