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 July issue (#159) of Songlines is now on sale. This issue’s cover star is the Egyptian-Australian oud maestro Joseph Tawadros, who talks about his recent album and orchestral collaborations. Other features include Coronavirus Comforts – recommendations from Songlines contributors and friends on what they’re listening to/reading/watching during lockdown; an interview with Balkan beats pioneer Shantel about his latest project; an overview of Naxos World’s Chinese folk music series; a Beginner’s Guide to the Canadian fiddler and step dancer April Verch, plus all the latest news, online streamed concert 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 DakhaBrakha, Melingo, Trio Tekke and Kadialy Kouyate, plus an exclusive playlist by classical violinist Daniel Hope, featuring music by Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Lúnasa and others.