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 January/February issue (#154) of Songlines is now on sale. Our cover feature this issue is an in-depth look at how musicians, festivals and music venues are tackling the climate crisis. We also reveal the Best Artist, Best Group, Newcomer and World Pioneer Songlines Music Awards winners, plus our top ten albums of the year. Other features include an interview with the bandleader of Colombian joropo group Cimarrón prior to their UK tour with Catrin Finch; a Beginner’s Guide to the veteran Irish trad group Dervish, plus all the latest news, event listings and CD, book 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 Roberto Fonseca, Aziza Brahim, Lankum and Souad Massi, plus an exclusive playlist compiled by BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Petroc Trelawny, featuring music by Thomas Mapfumo, Brenda Wootton, the Budapest Klezmer Quartet and others.