Olivia Dean has been named as the ambassador for Record Store Day 2026, and has said that she wants to help “support” independent record shops and “keep them alive”.
She was announced as the ambassador for this year’s edition of the series today (Thursday February 26), and joins an impressive list of previous artists who have taken on the role, including Sam Fender, Kate Bush, Taylor Swift, The 1975, Noel Gallagher and Elton John.
With the position, she helps champion the culture of independent record shops, and raise awareness for the vital role they play within their local communities.
This year marks the 19th instalment of RSD, and will return on Saturday April 18. More than 300 UK and Ireland record shops will be taking part, alongside thousands of indie retailers worldwide, as they sell an array of exclusive physical releases on a first-come-first-served basis and host some in-store events for one day only.
“It’s such an honour to be the Record Store Day Ambassador for 2026,” she said. “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!”
Announcing our #RSD26 Ambassador, Olivia Dean 🖤
Speaking on her Ambassador role, Olivia said: “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… pic.twitter.com/W7Kd0qY8Ch
— Record Store Day UK (@RSDUK) February 26, 2026
She will also be getting involved in the RSD celebrations by releasing a ‘Live at the BBC’ album, featuring live renditions of tracks by Carole King and boygenius. It will be available as a limited edition black 7’’ vinyl, exclusively from participating independent record stores.
Dean being selected as UK ambassador for Record Store Day 2026 comes amid the huge success of her latest album, ‘The Art of Loving’. It was the sixth biggest vinyl-selling album of 2025, and is currently the UK’s biggest-selling vinyl record of the year, with over 11,000 copies sold since January 1.
She also won Best New Artist at the Grammys thanks to the release, has had a train station in Manchester temporarily named after her, and is among those leading the way with BRIT Award nominations this year.
“Olivia Dean being this year’s ambassador is a quality endorsement of RSD and of record shops themselves,” said Jane Unwin from Banquet Records. “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.”
As well as Dean, other artists with releases on the way for RSD 2026 include David Bowie, The Snuts and Nilüfer Yanya as well as The Cure, Fleetwood Mac, Divorce, Primal Scream, Bring Me The Horizon & Sigrid and the Manics‘ James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire.
Others include CMAT, Gigi Perez, Air, HAIM, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Rose Gray, Self Esteem, Sleep Token, The Last Dinner Party, Wolf Alice, with many more surprises yet to be revealed. Check out the full list so far here.
Tonight, Dean will also be taking to the stage at Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall, as part of BRITs Week for War Child. Delivered by DHL, the annual event takes place in the run up to the BRIT Awards, and sees huge names play one-off intimate shows in a bid to raise funds and awareness for the War Child charity. The non-profit organisation provides protection, education, mental health support and more for children whose lives have been affected by war.
