Record Store Day 2026 has just announced their list of releases for April, and it includes a zoetrope picture disc 12” of Sledgehammer.
Originally released on 21 April, 1986 this Record Store Day release celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the lead single from Peter’s fifth solo album, So.
Record Store Day is Saturday 18 April.
‘Sledgehammer was obviously a big track from that record and that was, in part, homage to the music that I grew up with. I loved soul music, blues music and that was a chance to work with some of the brass players that had worked with Otis Redding, who’s my all-time favourite singer. It was a fun thing to do, but again that was built around a great groove and a good feel.’ – Peter Gabriel
The 12” replicates the original UK 12” single, with the extended version of Sledgehammer on the A side, and Don’t Break This Rhythm and I Have the Touch (‘85 remix) on the B side.
Zoetrope vinyl is a special picture disc, designed to produce moving animations when played on a turntable. The animation is best seen through a smartphone camera set to 30 frames per second (fps) or with a strobe light, rather than with the naked eye. This release features imagery from the award-winning Sledgehammer video, directed by Stephen R Jophnson, with the disc design by Drew Tetz and Marc Bessant.
Check out Drew’s other zoetrope design work on Instagram.
Please visit the Record Store Day website to check out the full list of releases and also visit your local record store to see what they plan to order!
Record Store Day UK
Record Store Day USA