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.

Latest issue

The April issue (#156) of Songlines is now on sale. Our cover star this issue is Anoushka Shankar who talks about her new collaborators and her father Ravi’s centenary celebrations. Other features include a Guide to Mongolian and Tuvan throat singing; an interview with song collector Martin Koenig about his rare Bulgarian folk recordings; a Spotlight on Spiro and their collaboration with Synergy Vocals; a Beginner’s Guide to the Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto, plus all the latest news, event listings, CD and world cinema reviews. As well as streaming excerpts from the Top of the World album, digital edition subscribers can download all 15 tracks which this issue includes Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela, Antibalas and Tuulikki Bartosik, plus an exclusive playlist by British singer-songwriter ESKA, featuring music by DakhaBrakha, Lijadu Sisters, Noura Mint Seymali and others.

International World Music Festival Guide 2020-21
This year's Songlines International World Music Festivals Guide 2020-21 is the biggest to date (and is distributed free with the April 2020 issue of Songlines). The extensive 44-page guide includes details of overseas festivals programming world, folk and roots music, from large-scale city events to smaller, intimate gatherings in remote locations. With such an abundance of festivals happening around the world, this Guide aims to inspire you to make new musical discoveries beyond your usual surroundings.