It’s a busy October at Badlands Records! National Album Day is almost here, the Billy Walton Band are heading to Cheltenham, there’s a stunning new Bruce Springsteen photography book on...
It's another busy month here at Badlands! As always. We've got some fantastic new releases on the horizon, a very special Bruce Springsteen photography book arriving soon, an incredible night of live music lined up in Cheltenham and plenty of reasons to celebrate our favourite format. The album!
Plus, the official Record Store Day Black Friday 2026 list has landed, so it's time to start thinking about those all-important vinyl wish lists.
So here's a look at what's been happening in and around the shop, and what's coming up next...
Saturday 17th October is National Album Day 2026, the UK's annual celebration of music and the art of the album. Of course, every day is album day here at Badlands, but we'll never turn down another excuse to celebrate the mighty long player!
This year's selection features some absolute classics, and we've got plenty of them in the building, ready to find their way into your collections.
From legendary artists to iconic albums that have shaped generations of music fans, National Album Day is a reminder of why we fell in love with records in the first place.
Explore our National Album Day 2026 collection
Now here's something very special for the Springsteen fans amongst us!
Spirit in the Light: Photographing Springsteen 1973–75 is a beautiful new photography book from James Fuller, documenting the early years of Bruce Springsteen's extraordinary career.
Long before the stadium tours and worldwide superstardom, Fuller was photographing a young Springsteen performing in intimate venues, capturing the raw energy, passion and sheer excitement of those formative years. Featuring previously unpublished photographs, the book follows Bruce's journey from college concerts and small theatres through to the beginnings of the legendary Born to Run era. There are some wonderful moments featuring Clarence Clemons too, capturing that unmistakable chemistry between Bruce and the Big Man.
The book features 45 meticulously reproduced photographs, alongside Fuller's personal recollections of discovering Springsteen's music and photographing those unforgettable early performances. The photographs have been carefully drum-scanned and printed using duo-tone techniques to bring out their remarkable detail.
It's a fascinating look at a period when Bruce was developing the sound, stage presence and storytelling that would soon make him one of the most celebrated performers in rock 'n' roll. And for anyone who loves the history of the E Street Band, there's something rather magical about seeing Bruce and Clarence together during those early years.
Pre-order Spirit in the Light – Signed Editions Available
We're VERY excited about this one! The incredible Billy Walton Band return all the way from Asbury Park, New Jersey, to The Steam & Whistle in Cheltenham.
If you've never experienced Billy Walton live, you're in for a treat. Think blistering blues-rock guitar, soulful vocals, bags of energy and that unmistakable Jersey Shore spirit. It's the kind of music that sounds even better when it's played loud, live and right in front of you!
The band have earned a fantastic reputation for their electrifying performances, with standing ovations and audiences dancing throughout their shows.
Check out the Billy Walton Band on Facebook
Badlands Live Events & Tickets
Our very own Phil popped along to The Steam & Whistle recently for one of Dom Joly's brilliant SpeakEazy evenings, partly to check out the venue ahead of our Billy Walton Band show. And what a night it turned out to be! There was a surprise musical appearance from none other than Chris Difford of Squeeze, who entertained the crowd with some hilarious stories and a handful of Squeeze classics. Also appearing were comedian Rob Rouse and Robert Llewellyn, best known as Kryten from Red Dwarf and presenter of Scrapheap Challenge. Phil came away thoroughly impressed with the venue, the atmosphere, the friendly crowd and, importantly, the pizza and beer selection!
And the best bit? All this brilliant entertainment is happening right here in Cheltenham.
Dom Joly's SpeakEazy takes place on the first Thursday of every month and is well worth checking out. Just don't leave it too late to get tickets – these evenings are popular!
Follow Dom Joly for upcoming SpeakEazy events
Find out more about The Steam & Whistle
There's always something exciting about a new U2 album, and the band's forthcoming release, Carnaval De Luz, is already generating plenty of interest here at Badlands. The album is due for release on 13th November 2026, and we've got a little something extra for our loyal local customers.
We're offering a special pre-order exclusive - a Carnaval De Luz tote bag to take home straight away when you pre-order your copy with us! Simply pop into the Cheltenham shop and place your pre-order, or order online and select shop collection at checkout. Then come and collect your exclusive tote bag while stocks last.
It's our little way of saying thanks to everyone who continues to support their local independent record shop. And we can't wait to hear what the band have been working on!
Order U2 - Carnaval De Luz here
And finally, another date for your diaries! The official list of releases for Record Store Day Black Friday 2026 has been revealed, and it's time to start putting together those wish lists.
This year's event takes place on:
As always, it's a fantastic opportunity to get your hands on some special releases, exclusive pressings and limited-edition vinyl from artists across the musical spectrum.
We'll be taking a closer look at the list over the coming weeks and highlighting some of the records we're particularly excited about. If you've taken part in Record Store Day with us before, you'll know how much we love these occasions. There's always a brilliant buzz around the shop, plenty of music chat and the chance to discover something unexpected.
So get those wish lists ready, and keep an eye on our socials for more updates as we get closer to the big day. Do get in touch with the shop to let us know what titles you're interested in.
Explore the Record Store Day Black Friday 2026 Collection
Thanks as always for supporting Badlands and independent record shops.
The Badlands Team
