Thursday, June 13, 2024
The Joy: “You can hear how we poured our hearts into the songs”
The Joy started their a capella singing in a small classroom in rural South Africa; now they’re set to release their eponymous full-length album
Features
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Lady Donli: “That’s what music is for me – the transmission of joy”
With Afrobeats and African pop on the rise, Lady Donli has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most interesting artists. At home with Afrobeat and satirising modern African life with smooth R&B hooks, she’s led by her fans: “People are the foundation of music,” she tells Erin Cobby
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Franck Biyong: “I just want to tear down the barrier that separates African music from the mainstream”
Frustrated by the state of popular African music, Franck Biyong decided to create his own ‘Afrolectric’ sound inspired by Le Grand Kallé, Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango and the greats of yesteryear
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Rhiannon Giddens and Béla Fleck: The Banjo Summit
The banjo is riding high once more, and with various accusations of cultural appropriation in the air, we decided the time was right for a debate with two of the best banjo players out there, Rhiannon Giddens and Béla Fleck
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Courir de Mardi Gras: A Photo Essay
Every Mardi Gras, a blur of costumed Cajun and Creole revellers in Louisiana head off in search of gumbo ingredients. When an ingredient is offered, such as a live chicken, the race is on. David Simpson has been documenting this unique tradition for over 25 years, with a new book capturing the centuries-old celebrations
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Jamz Supernova's My World Interview
Russ Slater Johnson hears from the DJ sharing cutting-edge global and electronic sounds. “I wanted to be your alternative Black show,” she confesses
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
BCUC: Trusting in Love
Diane Coetzer talks to the South African band BCUC who are exporting their traditional Soweto music across the globe and mesmerising audiences, one transcendental show at a time
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Folk Round-Up (Kitewing, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Session A9 and more)
Billy Rough picks out some choice new folk albums from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi: Challenging perceptions of home and belonging
Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi revisit classic folk songs on their latest release. The pair talk about the continuing relevance of folk music, the concept of home and life during lockdown
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Roots Round-Up (Abigail Lapell, Scott H Biram, Reyna Tropical and more)
A selection of essential releases from the US and Canada including new albums from Creekbed Carter Hogan, Abigail Lapell and Reyna Tropical
Friday, May 10, 2024
Margareth Menezes: from Carnival Queen to Brazil's Minister of Culture
Margareth Menezes, an icon of Afro-Brazilian music and Salvador’s carnival, talks to Oleno Netto about her European tour and her plans as Brazil’s new Minister of Culture
Friday, May 10, 2024
UK Festival Guide 2024
Another year, another full season of festivals to revive the soul and please the senses! Where better to plan your summer of culture than with our annual guide to the best festivals in the UK?
Friday, May 10, 2024
National Youth Folk Ensemble: Melodious Beginnings
Izzy Felton visits an inclusive training ground for the next generation of England’s folk musicians
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Sväng: A Beginner's Guide
Fiona Talkington unpacks the harmonica quartet’s trajectory, from the mind of Finland’s first mouth-harp graduate to an internationally acclaimed troupe with a repertoire ranging from Radiohead and Harry Potter to tango and Chopin
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Bagpipe Albums | Essential 10
Criminally castigated and distinctly uncool, bagpipes are a mainstay of many traditional musics and are also increasingly finding favour as an experimental instrument of choice. Chris Wheatley picks out ten albums filled with more than just hot air
