Anne Templer speaks to the actor and comedian about his love of prog and Persian music and how he once kicked a famous jazz musician out of his band
50 guitarists who have made an impact outside of the usual rock’n’roll axis of axes
Annoying RTÉ, dissing the rich and staying true to Dundalk: Charles Hendy tells Emma Rycroft about The Mary Wallopers’ rise to the top. “Throughout my enjoyment of music, I’ve liked stuff that was probably done wrong,” he confides
Hark to this parcel of rogues, as we place the career of these ever-evolving English folk-rock icons under the microscope
Colombia’s Bomba Estéreo speak to Russ Slater about their aim to propagate positivity amid political upheaval via their distinctive tropical sound
Taiko, the theatrical Japanese drumming spectacle, is seeing a global revival of interest. Michael Church speaks to members of Kodo, the group at the forefront of its resurgence. Photos by Takashi Okamoto & Nishita Taro
A new Cuban big band are making waves. All the more surprising for the fact that Orquesta Akokán are a collaboration of first-class Cuban and American musicians. Kim Burton tells their story so far
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
Fatoumata Diawara adds collaboration to the mix on an album of reconciliation and largesse. “It’s time for me to invite you… into my world,” she tells Lucy Hallam
The Shamstep pioneers formed over a decade ago by four members of the Palestinian diaspora. Since the 2023 war broke out, their message has come into sharp focus. Erin Cobby speaks to the group
The Breath’s Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum tell Dave McNally about the love and suffering that informed their new album and how they unexpectedly evolved into an acoustic folk duo
Gilberto Gil speaks to Alex Robinson about the 60s tropicália movement and how he has tried to bridge the gaps in Brazil’s class-ridden society
Oumou Sangaré contemplates the current state of her native Mali. She speaks to Andy Morgan about how music and mogoya may be the only things that can save it. Photography by Holly Whittaker
Fifty years on from Mozambique’s independence, one of the country’s leading singers tells the story of a legendary album. Richard Gray finds out about making music in a free Mozambique…
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