Features
Songlines Summer Festival Guide 2025
The sun has finally arrived and the festival line-ups are coming in thick and fast, so here’s our guide to some of the best festivals showcasing global artists in the UK and around the world this summer
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Features
Seeking recognition for Billy Waters, a pioneer of African-American music, more than 200 years after his death
When African-American musician Billy Waters died in London in 1823, it was in poverty and with his reputation in tatters. Now, 200 years later, researchers and musicians are finally ensuring he gets the respect he deserves
News
Angélique Kidjo to perform 40th anniversary concert at Royal Albert Hall as part of EFG London Jazz Festival
Beninese singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo will return to the Royal Albert Hall on November 17 for a celebration of her 40-year career.
Features
Spotlight: Mexican Institute of Sound
Camilo Lara, by now a ‘certified’ Mexican institution, tells Celeste Cantor-Stephens about 20 years of going against the grain, upsetting scrap collectors and Disney-endorsed success
Features
Setting the Scene: Elana Sasson
Fresh from the release of her ambitious ensemble album, In Between, the singer-composer waxes lyrical about cultural life in her new home of Valencia
Live reviews
Songlines Encounters Festival 2019 – review
Simon Broughton gives the low-down of all nine concerts from the recent Songlines Encounters Festival at Kings Place in London, May 30-June 2
Features
Songlines Music Awards 2025: Fusion
The best global fusion albums of the year, featuring AMMAR 808, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis & Karine Polwart, Africa Express, Piers Faccini & Ballaké Sissoko, and Abel Selaocoe
Artists
DakhaBrakha
The Ukrainian folk quartet with with rebellious and anarchic spirit are a formidable live act
News
Sounds and Colours launch anniversary fundraising campaign
The Sounds and Colours team are marking their tenth anniversary with a special fundraising campaign
Live reviews
Jazz Sous Les Pommiers, Coutances, France, May 16-20
The annual week-long jazz festival in France featured DakhaBrakha, Femi Kuti, Noura Mint Seymali, Antonio Lizana and Robert Cray
Features
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
Features
Rhythms of Nagaland: Inside the Spectacle of the Hornbill Festival
Simon Broughton experiences the Hornbill Festival, where Nagaland’s many tribal cultures unite for a spectacular celebration. Photos by Simon Broughton
Features
Park Jiha: “Being able to keep doing something as valuable as music brings an immense sense of meaningfulness to my life”
“Life always flows on”, says the Korean musician, considering the self-awareness and gratitude that led to her assured, meditative new album
Best New Albums
The 10 Best New Albums from Around the World (October 2021)
Hit the review links to the finest full-lengths coming your way in October, with outstanding new audio missives from Monsieur Doumani, Meelodi, Arushi Jain, Yinon Muallem, Namgar and more
Features
Ian A Anderson's My World interview: “I’ve entered the Shirley Collins ‘don’t give a shit anymore’ phase”
Sophie Parkes meets the folk, roots and trad evangelist, who talks about his no-holds-barred autobiography and a career pledged to music’s margins
