Songlines

Launched in 1999, Songlines is the leading magazine covering traditional, contemporary, folk and fusion music from around the world. Each edition is packed with the latest album reviews, artist interviews, festival profiles and travel adventures from every corner of the globe. Music is about culture, politics, history and the environment and Songlines is your essential guide to it all.

If you’re new to Songlines, download our Aug/Sept 2014 issue (#102) for free. Features include an interview with Afrobeat pioneers Tony Allen & Orlando Julius, as they both celebrate 50-year careers with new albums.

There is also an interview with Scottish author, avid music consumer and vinyl addict Ian Rankin, who speaks to Jo Frost (Songlines editor) about how he’s always willing to take a punt on new music, especially if there’s a good story behind it.

Also featured in the trial issue: a feature on Israeli musician Idan Raichel and his collaboration with Malian musician Vieux Farka Touré; Malian jeli singer Kassé Mady Diabaté; and violinists Anna Phoebe and Jyotsna Srikanth. We also pick our Essential 10 Afrobeat albums that you must own, plus Chris Moss provides a Beginner’s Guide to salsa superstar Rubén Blades.

The December 2024 issue (#203) of Songlines is out now, and we’ve got a guitar special looking at the place of one of the world’s most ubiquitous instruments. We chart the globe to reveal the World’s 50 Greatest Guitars, we speak to Mdou Moctar, Bombino and Etran de l’Aïr, three guitar bands from Niger leading a new wave of African desert rock (we also discuss the impact of the military coup in Niger) and we have a Beginner’s Guide to renegade guitarist Marc Ribot. We speak to sevdah revivalists Mostar Sevdah Reunionabout their new album celebrating 25 years, have a conversation with one of Ireland’s most beloved folk singers, Christy Moore, talk to Seckou Keita about a joyful new release exploring his love of Afro pop, and hear from ganavya, an exciting new voice uniting spiritual jazz with South Asian classical traditions. Plus, Warsaw Street Music, Essential 10 Latin jazz crossover albums, London-based Brazilian project MOMO.and the events currently bringing Québec, Canada, to life. Plus, all the usual news, listings, reviews, competitions and so much more. Subscribers will also receive our accompanying compilation (CD + digital) featuring ten tracks from the best new music releases, and five bonus selections to accompany the issue.