Live reviews
Ethiopia In Brussels: Mulatu Astatke & Black Flower review
Ethio-Jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke played a retrospective set from his golden era on the opening night of the Brussels Jazz Festival
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Best New Albums
Best New Albums – May 2021 (Ballaké Sissoko, Peggy Seeger, Piers Faccini, Jon Boden)
Outstanding new releases from Frente Cumbiero, Ballaké Sissoko, Peggy Seeger, Piers Faccini, Jon Boden, Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola and more. Tracks from all of these albums are included on the free cover-CD with the May 2021 issue of Songlines
The Rough Guide to World Music
The Music of Afghanistan: A Rough Guide
Despite continued fighting, there is new musical life in Afghanistan and new interest abroad. Simon Broughton and Veronica Doubleday report
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April 2026 issue is out now!
Tinariwen, Altın Gun, LA NIÑA, Hornbill Festival, Daughters of Donbas, Olodum, Simon Armitage, Cymande, Souad Massi, Eric Bibb and Ones to Watch 2026
Features
The Rough Guide to World Music: Afghanistan
Despite continued fighting, there is new musical life in the country and new interest abroad. Simon Broughton and Veronica Doubleday report
Features
A Raga for All Seasons
Simon Broughton learns about the relationship between ragas and time
Features
The 10 best avian-inspired albums
Jo Frost picks some choice albums that have been inspired by our feathered friends
Features
Simon Armitage's My World interview: “It felt as if a portal had opened up, not just to music but to sensibilities and attitudes, a way of being in the world”
With his band set to release their debut album on Real World Records, the Poet Laureate talks post-punk aesthetics and practises in verse with Tim Cumming
News
Riverboat Records founder Phil Stanton dies aged 54
Phil Stanton, who founded the record label Riverboat Records and music portal World Music Network has passed away at the age of 54, after a long battle with cancer. From the very beginning he was a great enthusiast for the world, its ecology and its music
Features
Songlines Music Awards 2025: Africa
Our favourite Africa albums of the year, featuring Amadou & Mariam, Cheikh Lô, Salif Keita, Trio Da Kali, and MC Yallah & Debmaster
Features
What Can Musicians and Music Lovers Do During a Climate Crisis?
With the earth passing 1.5 degrees celsius of heating in 2024, and recent natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, we asked artists and researchers how to play and enjoy music while respecting and helping the planet
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All-Star Birthday Concert for Bert Jansch
A special 80th birthday concert, celebrating the work of Bert Jansch, will be held on November 4 at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall
Features
Swiss Music Playlist: From Alps to Festival Fields (Sponsored Content)
Three world music festival directors dive deep into sounds from Switzerland’s global and folk artists and tell Songlines who, given the chance, they would programme and why
Essential 10
Essential 10: Songlines Hidden Classics
Ten of our longest-standing contributors pick albums released during Songlines’ lifetime that are well overdue another listen
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Broadside Hacks Folk Club Celebrate Legendary Les Cousins Venue
London-based collective curate their latest tribute to the iconic Soho folk and blues club with a stellar line-up of legends and rising stars
