Latest News and Features

Live Review: Polygon Live LDN

The sonically enhanced environs of Polygon Live LDN at Crystal Palace Park, London, created the perfect atmosphere for a bevy of musical icons to conjure and connect

Introducing the July 2025 issue of Songlines, featuring Martin Carthy

Folk Special featuring Martin Carthy, VARO, The Gentle Good, Quinie and a calendar of folk festivities, plus Rokia Traoré, Malawi’s buzz bands, Taj Mahal, Maxine Peake

Lido Pimienta rewrites the score, turning orchestral tradition on its head

For her latest project, Colombian singer Lido Pimienta wanted to shake off the shackles of categorisation and do what nobody expected her to do

Introducing... Kasiva Mutua

It took time for the Kenyan musician to earn respect as a female percussionist, but now she’s ready to kickstart her solo career

Votia on stewarding the legacy and importance of La Réunion’s Afro-Malagasy traditions

“I also give ear to social injustice and violence, specifically to women. But of course, I do celebrate the beauty of the island and its strong identity.”

A Conversation with Martin Carthy

Kevin Bourke sits down with the English folk legend to chat about a new album marking 60 years since his debut, why it sometimes takes him so long to sing a song and to share anecdotes from his storied career

Features

Folk Calendar 2025-26

Spencer Grady plots out the next twelve months of folk happenings, bringing you essential festivals from across the British Isles as well as a selection of some of our most unusual cultural traditions