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 June 2025 issue (#208) of Songlines is out now, and it’s an Africa Special. Our cover star is Tony Allen, the Nigerian drumming legend whose musical contributions continue to inspire and innovate since his death in 2020. We also speak to Femi Kuti about his father’s music and what it was like growing up in the shadow of an Afrobeat legend, with a special Beginner’s Guide to Fela Kuti. We sit down with Pedro Ben, the Mozambican legend, who talks us through creating music following independence 50 years ago. We then head over to Uganda to hear why the Nyege Nyege Festival has been so important to East African music, and how they only just made it to ten years. We also have an Essential 10 La Réunion albums chosen by artists from the island, and a photo essay of tradition and instruments from Rwanda. Away from Africa, we have features on The Baltic Sisters and their unique polyphonic singing, Carwyn Ellis’ new album of ‘Latin Cymru soul’, the return of I’m With Her (Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins), a My World interview with British film-maker Sally Potter and we have our Summer Festival Guide with details of all the places to get your ultimate music fix this summer. Plus, Amadou, Natalia Lafourcade, Yves Lambert, Mairi Morrison & Alasdair Roberts, Lagon Nwar, Dawn Landes 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.