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 July 2025 issue (#209) of Songlines is out now, and it’s a Folk Special. We have an extra-long conversation with folk legend Martin Carthy. We will also find out about exciting folk artists like Varo, The Gentle Good, Donald WG Lindsay, Remorae and Quinie, plus we will pick out the UK folk festivals and customs to check out in our Folk Directory. We speak to Rokia Traoré to find out about her plans since being released from prison, we have a Beginner’s Guide to US blues legend Taj Mahal, a profile of the exciting Polish street band Hajda Banda, we chat to Colombia’s Lido Pimienta about her new orchestral album and we take an epic trip to Malawi where we hear from Madalitso Band, Gasper Nali, The Very Best and some of the country’s other buzz artists. We chat about music and mythology with Bolton actor Maxine Peake, hear from Tracy Chapman about performing at Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday concert, speak to Richard Thompson about his most-covered song, find out about Moonchild Sanelly’s influential albums and check out an Essential 10 Global Obscurities, chosen by Tokyo’s record shops. Plus, Peggy Seeger, Votia, Kasiva Mutua, Greentrax, Iry LeJeune, Ella Hanshaw and 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.