The summer of 2020 will be remembered as a giant void in the festival calendar with coronavirus causing a deluge of postponements and cancellations from Shetland to Sarawak. In a show of support for the festival community, musicians and Songlines contributors share their favourite festival memories over the years. Read more in the current issue (#160) available now.
As the pandemic continues to disrupt cultural activities across the world and social distancing measures remain in place, we find out how musicians and Songlines contributors and friends are keeping themselves entertained during lockdown
Featuring Kayhan Kalhor, Salif Keita, Penguin Cafe, Gerry Mulligan, Astor Piazzolla, Jan Garbarek, and many more!
A key figure in Ali Farka Touré’s band, Afel Bocoum is releasing a long-awaited and rare solo album that finds him stepping into the limelight. He talks to Bram Posthumus about living in exile in Bamako, the situation in Mali and his desire to reconnect with the world
Brazilian artist Criolo gives his frank views on Brazilian society today and although the challenges for its future look daunting, he tells David Katz why he remains hopeful for his country
The Kurdish singer Aynur Doğan has released her first solo album while living in exile in the Netherlands. She tells Robert Rigney her reasons for leaving Turkey and her mission to keep Kurdish songs alive
An ambitious Folk Music of China series by Naxos World features folk songs from all of the country’s 55 officially recognised ethnic minority groups. The compilations offer a COVID-proof musical journey to rural China. Frank Kouwenhoven reports
A Songlines playlist for Apple Music of the Brazilian movement, tropicália.
A Songlines playlist for Apple Music, with range of Western artists coming together with world music's brightest to create an exciting variety of new sounds.
A Songlines playlist for Apple Music featuring both emerging talent and established names of the Indian electronica scene.
A Songlines playlist for Apple Music exploring the music of musicians who left their home countries for one reason or another.
The event saw live music from Cyprus, Wales, Senegal, Turkey, Mali and Portugal
The old guard of Romanian lautari music meet the Bucharest alternivistas on a brand new project
Re-recorded and ready for the world stage: listen to northern Ghana's latest Frafra star ahead of his new album, out in November
The Saharawi singer moves into electronic sounds with her new video set in the desert
Peter Culshaw reminisces on his time biographing the elusive Manu Chao as his classic solo album, Clandestino, is re-released 20 years on
Following her review of an album with a shocking blackface cover, Gabrielle Messeder delves into problematic representation in world music...
Scottish singer and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Newton speaks out about gender imbalance within the folk and traditional music scene in the UK...
"I sincerely hope that Babel Med – or some equivalent – will return in 2019"
Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.
Subscribe