GTA 6 album listening parties: record stores play GTA VI: The Album a day early, on Nov. 18
Record stores in the US and the UK are holding listening parties for Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album on Nov. 18, the night before it and the game come out, many with giveaways for pre-orders. How to find one.
Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album gets an early hearing the night before it comes out. Record stores in the US and the UK are holding listening parties on Wednesday, Nov. 18, playing the 34-track album in full a day before its release on Nov. 19, the same day as the game. Many are handing out giveaways, some for anyone who turns up and some for people who pre-order the album.
Square Cat Vinyl in Indianapolis calls its event a Global Listening Party. GTA BOOM counted more than 230 US stores on a list that a content creator posted on X, matching flyers the stores had shared. Neither Rockstar Games nor Atlantic Records, which made the album with Rockstar, has published a list of stores that we could find, so the stores' own pages are the place to check. Here are some that have posted details; times are local.
Stores that have announced parties
| Store | Where | Time on Nov. 18 | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Cat Vinyl | Indianapolis | 6 p.m. | Postcards while they last, a tote bag raffle, slipmats with an album pre-order |
| Toad Hall Books and Records | Rockford, Ill. | 5 p.m. | Gifts and giveaways, WTVO reported |
| Re-Spun Records and Resale | Freeport, Ill. | 4 to 6 p.m. | Giveaways and prizes, WTVO reported |
| Assai Records | Dundee and Glasgow, Scotland | 5 p.m. | A first listen of the album in the stores |
| Crash Records | Leeds, England | 3:30 p.m. | Entry with a pre-order of the album, with a chance to win goodies |
WTVO, the Rockford TV station, called the two Illinois events official listening parties. GTA BOOM's count includes chains such as Zia Records and Newbury Comics, and two Miami stores, Sweat Records and Technique Records.
How to find one
- Ask your local record store, or check its website and social pages. Most parties are free to attend, GTA BOOM reports, but some ask you to RSVP.
- Read the small print on giveaways. At Square Cat, postcards are first come, first served and the slipmats come with a pre-order; at Crash Records, a pre-order is the way in.
- Mind the clock. Most parties run in the late afternoon or evening. In the US, the game itself unlocks at midnight Eastern, which is 9 p.m. Pacific on Nov. 18; our release time guide has your time zone.
The Album
Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album has 34 original tracks, made for the game, Rockstar says, and comes out on Nov. 19. Seven singles are out already, and the vinyl and CD editions include exclusives at the album's official store and colorways at retailers and independent record stores. UK record stores such as Assai and Crash list their vinyl and CD copies for Friday, Nov. 20. Our soundtrack guide has the singles, the formats and where to buy them.
It's the first of three GTA 6 music dates in a week:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Wed., Nov. 18 | Listening parties at record stores |
| Thu., Nov. 19 | GTA 6 and The Album come out |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | GTA VI: The Festival at Mana Wynwood in Miami |
Justice's original score for the game follows on Dec. 11, as our story on the score reports. The game's radio stations are a separate set of songs, and our radio stations guide has the six Rockstar has named.
Questions readers ask
- Is there a GTA 6 album listening party?
- Yes. Record stores in the US and the UK are playing Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album in full on Wednesday, Nov. 18, the night before it comes out. Times vary by store, mostly from late afternoon into the evening.
- When does GTA VI: The Album come out?
- Nov. 19, the same day as the game, Rockstar says. It has 34 original tracks and was made with Atlantic Records. UK record stores list their vinyl and CD copies for Friday, Nov. 20.
- Are the GTA 6 listening parties free?
- Most are free to attend, but some stores ask you to RSVP, and some, such as Crash Records in Leeds, let you in with a pre-order of the album. Giveaways such as postcards, tote bags and slipmats vary by store.
- How do I find a GTA 6 listening party near me?
- Check your local record store's website or social media pages. Neither Rockstar nor Atlantic Records has published a list of stores that we could find.
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Rockstar has named six stations so far. We'll email you when it names more or lists the songs.
