UK legendary indie label Rough Trade marks 50 years with Seoul event

The indie bloodline that spans half a century, 'Rough Trade' lands in Seoul

Rough Trade Records and Rough Trade Shop, two storied UK indie institutions that reshaped the map of global popular music, are coming to Korea for their 50th anniversary. An offline commemorative event, 'RT 50 Korea (RT 50 Korea)', will be held at the Seobo Art Space in Seoul on September 28 and 29.

In 1976, when founder 'Geoff Travis' opened the doors of a small record store on West Kensington Park Road in West London, no one could have predicted it would become a massive pilgrimage site for indie music around the world. The story of 'Rough Trade'—which built its own ecosystem while strictly rejecting the mainstream music industry’s conventions—has effectively become the very chronology of indie music.

Leading the way is the French punk band 'Metal Urbain', followed by classic releases that helped turn 'The Smiths', 'The Strokes', 'Pulp', and others into icons of the era. Those landmark records first shone here before the wider world. Even today, the label continues to prove its enduring reputation by discovering musicians that boast unmistakable originality, including 'Amyl and the Sniffers', 'Lankum', and 'Black Midi'.

This 'RT 50 Korea' is more than just another event—it is a historic setting where people can witness the 'heritage of independent music' that has sustained indie scenes for half a century. A special exhibition will be staged to spotlight, in a three-dimensional way, the philosophy and footsteps of Rough Trade over its 50-year journey. In addition, the label’s Korea tour stop featuring 'My New Band Believes' and 'Caroline' will add to the lineup, delivering an overwhelming stage that lets attendees experience the explosive energy of today’s indie scene firsthand, going beyond a simple look back.