Record Store Day Unsigned Returns to Put Grassroots Artists on Vinyl

The nationwide competition is back — and one unsigned UK artist could see their music pressed to 500 vinyl records and stocked in independent record shops across the country.

Record Store Day UK and Breed Media have officially reopened submissions for RSD Unsigned 2026/27, giving one emerging artist the chance to turn their music into a physical release — and put their name in front of music fans across the UK.

The competition offers a prize that could be genuinely career-changing: the winning artist will have 500 copies of their music pressed to vinyl for free, courtesy of Breed Media, with copies distributed through independent record shops across the UK. They’ll also be able to sell the records directly to their own fans.

And there’s more. This year’s winner will also receive a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 bookshelf speakers and a Marantz Stereo 70s amplifier, giving them the tools to keep creating long after the vinyl hits the shelves.

Submissions are now open and close on 24 November 2026, with artists from all genres and backgrounds encouraged to enter.

The process is deliberately simple: upload an original track to YouTube, TikTok or Instagram using #RSDUnsigned, then submit the link through the Breed Media submission page.

This year’s winner will be selected by a panel of industry figures including BBC Radio 1’s Jess Iszatt, Key Production Group founder and CEO Karen Emanuel, and Vinyl Countdown owner Mark Fulton.

For Iszatt, who has spent a decade championing emerging artists through BBC Introducing, the competition is about discovering the artists who could be the next big thing.

“There is nothing better than sharing and shouting about incredible new finds and watching them go on to smash it in their careers.”

That focus on the next generation is at the heart of RSD Unsigned. Previous winners including Zo Lief, 4 The Brotherhood, Currls, Amy Fitz Doyley, Sister Cookie, Heavy Rapids and Barbudo have gone on to secure radio play, tour across the UK and appear at festivals.

With physical music becoming an increasingly important way for independent artists to build a tangible connection with their audiences, RSD Unsigned offers something streaming simply can't: the chance to hold your own music in your hands.

As Graham Worsfold, Head of Production at Breed Media, puts it, “Unsigned artists are the future of music.”

Now, Record Store Day is looking for the next one.

Think you've got what it takes? Submissions are open now until 24 November 2026.

Entry is simple; artists must upload their original music to YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram using the  hashtag #RSDUnsigned, and then submit the link via the Breed Media submission page here.  Submissions are encouraged from artists across all genres and backgrounds.