Friday, May 22, 2026
Neil Sparkes (1967–2026)
The musician, poet and visual artist Neil Sparkes – of Transglobal Underground and Temple of Sound – has died aged 58. Jane Cornwell pays tribute
News
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The June 2026 issue of Songlines, featuring Fatoumata Diawara, is out now!
Fatoumata Diawara, Jonny Greenwood & Shye Ben Tzur, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Raül Refree, Bizimungu Dieudonne, ODD OKODDO, Summer Festival Guide 2026, Alté, Bakithi Kumalo and more
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
More Music Festivals Coming to Thailand
With big-budget EDM festivals like Tomorrowland and EDC alongside free molam festivals, Thailand is positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s festival hub
Friday, April 24, 2026
Ali Farka Touré's Savane leads World Circuit's 40th anniversary reissues; Buena Vista Social Club to follow
Colour vinyl reissues of classics by Ali Farka Touré, Oumou Sangaré, Tony Allen, Hugh Masekela and Buena Vista Social Club to roll out across 2026
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Songlines Encounters at Kings Place Reveals Second Wave of Artists for 15th Anniversary 2026 Series
Samba Touré, Martin Hayes & Kate Ellis, Minyo Crusaders, Hajda Banda and Suntou Susso & the Gambian Superstars join the 2026 line-up for Songlines Encounters
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Moya Brennan (1952–2026)
The singer and harpist, whose ethereal voice led Clannad from a Donegal family pub to Grammy-winning global stardom, has died aged 73
Friday, April 17, 2026
Fela Kuti first African solo artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Afrobeat pioneer will receive the Early Influence Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Nov 14, capping a year of major recognition that saw his classic album Zombie enter the Grammy Hall of Fame
Friday, April 17, 2026
V&A East Museum opens in London with ‘The Music is Black: A British Story’ exhibition
New five-storey museum in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park launches on April 18 with landmark exhibition charting 125 years of Black British music
Friday, April 17, 2026
Andy Kershaw (1959–2026)
The broadcaster Andy Kershaw, renowned for his interest in music from around the world, has died aged 66 from cancer.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Asha Bhosle (1933–2026)
From Bollywood to Boy George, Kronos Quartet and Gorillaz, Asha Bhosle's voice crossed every border. The legendary Indian singer has died aged 92
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
New Ratings System in Songlines
We've upgraded our reviews rating system. Now, instead of a mark up to five stars, we are rating each album out of ten
Thursday, April 9, 2026
The May 2026 issue of Songlines, featuring Silvana Estrada, is out now!
Silvana Estrada, Buena Vista Social Club, Jorge Drexler, SONICO x Rovira, Essential 10 Highlife Releases, Charif Megarbane, Yiddish Glory, Constantinople, Cocanha and more
Thursday, April 9, 2026
FolkEast announces exciting new additions to its 2026 programme
Suffolk fest reaffirms its commitment to tradition and musical innovation with eye-catching roll call of star names and emerging talents
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Hush: a new ‘calmer’ music festival is coming to London this summer
A new music festival is coming to East London this summer aiming to offer an alternative to the fast pace of modern life with an all-seated, slow movement-inspired event in Central Park.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Dolores Keane (1953–2026)
Iconic Irish folk singer, known for her "sacred voice"
