Coachella's Record Safari Becomes a Staple for Record Store Day

The on-site record store at the Coachella music festival has grown into a beloved destination for vinyl enthusiasts.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:23pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of a stack of vinyl records in various colors and textures, shot with dramatic studio lighting to create a glamorous, high-fashion aesthetic, conceptually representing the unique vinyl shopping experience at Coachella's Record Safari.The vibrant vinyl selection at Coachella's Record Safari offers festival-goers a tactile, immersive music experience amidst the desert heat and booming speakers.Pomona Today

As Coachella festival-goers navigate the music and desert heat, they can find refuge in Record Safari, the festival's on-site record store. Over the past decade, Record Safari has expanded from a small setup to a fully built-out shop stocked with thousands of vinyl selections, offering a calming 'decompression zone' from the festival's intensity. The store has become a staple during Record Store Day, which fell on the second weekend of Coachella this year, drawing crowds eager to browse exclusive releases and rare international pressings curated by store owner Alex Rodriguez.

Why it matters

Record Safari's growth reflects the enduring appeal of vinyl and the desire for a more tactile, immersive music experience, even at a massive festival like Coachella. The store's unique inventory and atmosphere provide a welcome respite for attendees, allowing them to create lasting memories through the purchase of vinyl as festival keepsakes.

The details

Record Safari owner Alex Rodriguez first got involved with the Coachella record store in 2013 when the previous organizers couldn't do it. Since then, he has steadily grown the operation, expanding the tent size and inventory to include thousands of vinyl selections. Rodriguez sources about half of the store's used records from his travels around the world, offering festival-goers rare international pressings they may not find elsewhere. This year, Record Safari carried exclusive releases for Record Store Day, including a limited run from Elton John with two signed copies given away.

  • Record Safari has been a Coachella staple for over a decade, since 2013.
  • Record Store Day fell on the second weekend of Coachella 2026, on April 18.

The players

Alex Rodriguez

The owner of Record Safari, the on-site record store at the Coachella music festival. Rodriguez has grown the store from a small setup to a fully built-out shop over the past decade.

Elton John

The legendary musician, who provided a limited run of exclusive vinyl releases for Record Safari to sell during Record Store Day at Coachella 2026.

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What they’re saying

“'I was part of the Glass House in Pomona. One year, the people doing the record store at Coachella couldn't do it, so they kind of scrambled and asked me. They threw me into it with only a couple of months' notice, but I made it work. They liked what I did, and now I'm the record guy at Coachella.'”

— Alex Rodriguez, Owner, Record Safari

“'It's definitely expanded. The tent used to be smaller, we carried fewer records. Now we keep the walls with a signature pink color. With all the craziness going on out there, waiting in lines and loud music, you come in here, it's air-conditioned and it kind of calms you. It's like a decompression zone.'”

— Alex Rodriguez, Owner, Record Safari

“'Some of them were pretty limited. Elton gave us two signed copies to give out, and people were stoked.'”

— Alex Rodriguez, Owner, Record Safari

“'For the used records, I travel all over Europe and Japan trying to find things you don't see in America. When I was in Japan a few months ago, they had different pressings with different artwork, or what's called an Obi strip; people really like that because it's something unique.'”

— Alex Rodriguez, Owner, Record Safari

“'I think people look at it as a keepsake. Whether it's a Coachella artist or even something else, it becomes a Coachella memory.'”

— Alex Rodriguez, Owner, Record Safari

What’s next

Record Safari is expected to return to Coachella in 2027, continuing its tradition of offering festival-goers a unique vinyl shopping experience during the annual music event.

The takeaway

Record Safari's growth at Coachella reflects the enduring appeal of vinyl and the desire for a more immersive, tactile music experience, even in the digital age. By curating a diverse selection of new and rare international pressings, the store provides a welcome respite for festival attendees, allowing them to create lasting memories through the purchase of vinyl as Coachella keepsakes.