When Paul McCartney sang, “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?” back in 1968, we’re pretty sure this isn’t what he had in mind.
Apple Corps just announced plans to launch mobile Beatles pop-up shops in New York and Los Angeles on Tuesday, November 13. The mini magical mystery tour is designed to support the group’s return to vinyl. The shops will look like double-decker buses, and make several stops in each city.
The one-day event is designed to promote the Fab Four coming to audiophile-quality, 180-gram vinyl. The band will release 14 remastered albums on the format, which can be purchased individually or as a box set. That box also comes with a 252-page hardbound book.
The titles include The Beatles’ 12 original UK albums, first released between 1963 and 1970, the US-originated Magical Mystery Tour, and Past Masters, Volumes One & Two, featuring non-album A-sides and B-sides, EP tracks and rarities. With this release, The Beatles’ first four albums make their North American stereo vinyl debuts. In 2013, the remastered albums will make their mono vinyl debuts.
If you happen to see one of the mobile pop-up shops, you can buy albums on-site, as well as remastered CDs in stereo and mono, DVDs and Blu-rays, and other Beatles merchandise. There will also be limited-edition T-shirts, which are unique to each respective city and available with a minimum purchase.
For a list of the pop-up shop locations, check out The Beatles’ website. If you’re not in those areas, you may want to check back, though. Starting November 19 through December, several retailers will host listening events using completely hand-made British hi-fi systems. All of those locations have yet to be announced, but are expected to be scattered throughout the country.