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The Wire

Archived since Summer 1982 (Issue 1)
500 issues
Complete Archive Monthly
The Wire is the world's leading independent monthly music magazine. The first issue was published in 1982. More than four decades on the magazine remains committed to reporting on a dynamic global network of underground, alternative and experimental musics by publishing journalism and photography by some of the subculture’s most original and authoritative critics and observers.

A digital subscription gives you access to the complete online archive of back issues of The Wire since issue one, summer 1982 — that's over 40 years, 470 issues and 40,000 pages. Click here to read the free trial issue, or click here to see the full archive.

Digital only subscriptions can be bought by clicking the Add to basket button below.

Print subscriptions — which also include free access to all the digital issues — are available direct from  The Wire shop priced from £41 for six months — click here for details.

If you subscribe via The Wire or Exact Editions you can view the complete archive online as well as via the iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire or Android apps. Please note that if you subscribe via an app, you only get access via that app.

Digital subscribers also get full and exclusive access to The Wire's complete archive of audio downloads in the Below The Radar series - click here for details - and The Wire Tapper series - click here for details.

For details on campus-wide digital subscriptions for institutions, please email support@exacteditions.com.
Latest issue
Mulatu Astatke, Griot Galaxy, Alpha Maid, Emergence Collective, Konrad Smoleński, Debit, Klinck Trio, Invisible Jukebox: Test Dept, Global Ear: Vilnius, Unlimited Editions: glint music, The Inner Sleeve: Helado Negro on ESG, Against The Grain: Holly Dicker on rave’s countercultural spirit, Epiphanies: Andy Hamilton on Keith Jarrett, and in the reviews sections: Daphne Oram variations, Eve Libertine & Eva Leblanc, Fini Tribe, Charles Hayward & MC dälek, CxBxT, jazz photo books, music stones & ringing rocks, Sun Ra’s early years, Lunchmeat and Skaņu Mežs festivals, Peter Doig, specialist columns + charts, letters and listings

Also this month, all subscribers can download The Wire Tapper 69 featuring 16 new tracks by Adjustable Face, Yashlik, Maria Teriaeva, Samuel Barbier-Ficat featuring Jamie Stewart, GORZ, gamut inc, Talk Show, F.Ampism, So Savoeun, R/A/D, Rafael Anton Irisarri, U, Dylan Henner, Snorkel, Kris Limbach, and Qasu. Get it here: https://www.thewire.co.uk/audio/the-wire-tapper/
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Quarterly (recurring) C$27.99

Annual C$94.99

Includes web, iOS and Android access via Exact Editions apps.
Full refund within 30 days if you're not completely satisfied.
Please note: you are buying an online subscription - we don’t send printed copies through the post.

  • First Issue: Summer 1982 (Issue 1)
  • Latest Issue: December 2025 (Issue 502)
  • Issue Count: 500
  • Published: Monthly
  • ISSN: 2059-6502