The Indonesian island of Bali resounds with the vibrant, often thunderous music of its gamelans – the ubiquitous percussion orchestras of bronze and bamboo. Andy Channing conjures up the magic of its many incarnations
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.
COVID-19’s impact has been global and unprecedented. Russ Slater speaks to various musicians and people who work within the music community about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting their approach to making and promoting music
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
The Orcadian musician talks about his triptych of albums inspired by the sounds, landscape and people of his birthplace
The amazing sounds of Mongolian and Tuvan throat singers have captivated audiences around the world. Michael Ormiston recommends ten of the best albums that chart its development
Haitians have always turned to music to vent their emotions, heal their hurts and celebrate. Maria Bakkalapulo recommends albums that give you a taste of what the country has to offer
Since their debut album in 2001, the throbbing desert blues of the Touareg guitar band Tinariwen has conquered the musical world: here are reviews of all of their albums to date
Mark Sampson chats to the dynamic French vocal sextet San Salvador during a brief moment at home in south-west France following a whirlwind 18 months of international touring
Life-changing, jaw-dropping albums from Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita, Angélique Kidjo, Mariza, Bassekou Kouyaté, Blick Bassy, Lankum, Debashish Bhattacharya, Lau, Oumou Sangaré, Kefaya and more...
The Haitian-raised, French-based singer-songwriter Moonlight Benjamin tells Lucy Hallam where her distinctive blend of vodou and blues originates from
Fela Kuti is synonymous with Afrobeat, but there are two other underappreciated pioneers of the genre. Nigel Williamson speaks to Tony Allen and Orlando Julius
Nathaniel Handy is captivated by the musical spells conjured up by a collective of artists in response to The Lost Words book
Musical genres around the world
Sarathy Korwar is becoming an influential figure within London’s vibrant and eclectic music scene. He talks to Jane Cornwell about his latest project, inspired by Brexit Britain and the importance of changing the East-West narrative. Photographs by Rishabah Sood
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