ReportedUpdated 12 November 2026

Record stores plan early GTA 6 album listening parties on November 18, NME reports

NME reports that independent record stores in North America and the UK will hold listening events for GTA VI: The Album on November 18. The announcements NME links to come from the stores. NME says Rockstar is behind the previews, but we found no Rockstar or Atlantic Records announcement of them.

By GTA 6 Everything Editorial · 12 November 2026 · 2 min read

Independent record stores plan to let fans hear Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album on November 18, the day before Rockstar says the album arrives. NME reported this on November 12, 2026, saying a number of stores have confirmed listening events. NME writes that “Rockstar Games are giving some fans the chance to preview the record”, but the announcements it links to are the stores’ own. We found no Rockstar or Atlantic Records announcement of the events, so treat the details as reported.

NME says more than 230 independent stores across North America have been announced as hosts so far. One example it quotes is California’s Resident Vinyl, which wrote: “We’re hosting an advance listening event” on Wednesday, November 18 at 6pm. According to NME, people who go to Resident Vinyl’s event get a postcard at no charge, other merchandise is on offer, and the store takes pre-orders for an indie-exclusive vinyl.

In the UK, NME says Jacaranda Records in Liverpool has announced a listening party for 5pm on November 18, and Assai Records is hosting similar events in Glasgow and Dundee. NME expects further UK shops to post their plans. Times and perks will vary by store, so check with your local shop rather than assuming.

NME also gave a status update on the music. It says the album is a 34-track, Vice City-inspired release that hits streaming on November 19, the same day as the game, and that only ten tracks have been shared so far. The full tracklist is still unannounced, according to NME. The date is Rockstar’s own: its music page says the album is “Coming November 19”. The official album store lists 34 original tracks and takes vinyl and CD pre-orders, and its vinyl pages give November 20 as the shipping date, so the events come two days before physical copies.

What we cannot tell you is how the events will run, which stores beyond those named are taking part, or what part Rockstar plays beyond NME’s one line. NME’s figure of more than 230 is a running total, NME does not say where it comes from, and it may change.

For background on the record, see our story on the album announcement. Our look at the in-game radio stations covers the wider soundtrack picture.