Chilies, onions, and the market’s other usual wares gave way to cassettes, CDs, and vinyl. All kinds of snacks gave way to band merchandise. The bustle of haggling gave way to music from the DJ decks and the stage. That was how the atmosphere shifted at Pasar Pujokusuman during Record Store Day (RSD) Yogyakarta 2025, held on April 12 and 13. The nostalgic charm of this historic traditional market resonated deeply with the analog spirit of physical music culture, celebrated in Yogyakarta for the tenth time.

A façade blending Art Deco with traditional Javanese style greets visitors as they arrive. Rows of arches guide the eye toward an assortment of wooden tables. Instead of traditional traders, that weekend 40 vendors of physical releases from various regions filled the market. They are part of the Jogja Record Store Club, a network connecting physical record sellers from 7 cities.

Choosing Pasar Pujokusuman as the venue for RSD Yogyakarta 2025 was a deliberate decision. Adhi Bayu Perkasa of Kultura Space, the event’s general manager, explained: “Every Record Store Day celebration can’t just follow the currents of the mainstream scene, it has to carry the character of its own city. We found the Pujokusuman neighborhood, with its ndalem¹ and a market that’s still active, with unique buildings. And that represents Jogja, with the natural ecosystem of the market.”

As in previous years, RSD Yogyakarta was a long-awaited chance for collectors to hunt for rare records, limited editions, or exclusive releases. Old and new releases across genres, from classic rock, jazz, and electronic to traditional music, were laid out in every corner of the market.

Beyond the scene’s countless ‘treasures’, the event offered a range of entertaining activities. This time, RSD Yogyakarta collaborated with Simak Siar on an open call. Ten bands and musicians from various genres were selected to liven up the RSD stage. Beyond the quality of their music, they were also chosen because they release their music in physical formats. The live performances were complemented by DJ sets that kept the flow going, blending classic vinyl with contemporary digital tracks.

For visitors who wanted to take in the music more deeply, listening sessions offered an intimate space where DJs curated track lists in digital or vinyl format. These sessions often sparked spontaneous discussions about the artists, the album art, and the history of the music being played.

For some food for thought, panel discussions and talks featured musicians, record store owners, and cultural commentators. These discussions explored the evolution of vinyl, its revival in the digital age, and the vital role record stores play in preserving musical heritage.

“This year we didn’t just want to talk about emerging music, but also about ecosystem awareness,” said Adhi Bayu Perkasa. RSD Yogyakarta 2025 responded to this by taking music back to the early days of recording history, long before the digital era. “This is the first time we’ve brought in elements of traditional culture to engineer the setting and spark nostalgia. That’s why we brought RSD back to this wet market, which is still active.”

Info: https://www.instagram.com/jogjarecordstoreclub/

Notes

1. Ndalem: Javanese, traditional Javanese aristocratic residences. ↩︎

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