Songlines

Songlines is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe, from Mali to Mexico, India to Iraq. Whether this music is defined as traditional, contemporary, folk or fusion, Songlines is the only publication to truly represent and embrace it. However, Songlines is not just about music, but about how the music fits into the landscape; it’s about politics, history and identity, and the artists who incite change through their music. Through its extensive articles and reviews, Songlines is your essential guide to an extraordinary world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.

Songlines

Timeless

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

TOP OF THE WORLD • On this issue’s compilation – our curated selection of new music and bonus tracks from across the globe

Royal Sahara Blues • Relentless riffs at the ready as original Touareg rock’n’rollers Tinariwen head to London’s Royal Albert Hall. Tim Cumming sizes up their BBC Proms debut…

All Rite in Auld Reekie • The theme of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival is Rituals that Unite Us. Simon Broughton witnesses three performances that fit the brief

THE GLOBE AT A GLANCE

Los Bitchos • Cumbia, disco and video game music are on the playlist for the London-based quartet’s second album. April Clare Welsh pulls up a stool

NEWS BITES

Rocky Mountain Highs • Catalina Maria Johnson heads to Canada’s Calgary Folk Festival, an event beloved by its community with a unique talent for bringing artists from around the world together in rapturous communion

The 4 Corners and Centre of Denis Péan’s Universe • We hear from French poet and songwriter Denis Péan of Lo’Jo about the music – from classical to Afrobeat – that has shaped and inspired the band’s unique sound

Excellence is Global • Ahead of this year’s event in Manchester, WOMEX announce Hermeto Pascoal and In Place of War as two of their award winners. Erin Cobby investigates…

I ALWAYS PLAY TO WIN • Currently on the Songlines stereo…

WoWaKin • With an open-minded approach to their country’s musical traditions and a host of special guests, this Polish trio are finding out what connects village life to that of a contemporary musician. Mateusz Dobrowolski hears all about it…

IT’S HAPPENING

Giving Up The Ghosts • Violence and bigotry towards women are at the root of Frankie Archer’s folk songs. “Some of the shit that women in these 300-year-old songs went through is the same shit women are going through now,” she tells Fred Waine

Always Moving • In a new autobiography, Rikki Stein reflects on a non-stop career working with some of the world’s most visionary musicians: Fela Kuti, The Master Musicians of Joujouka and Jimi Hendrix being three examples. Russ Slater Johnson gets Stein to sit still for a minute and attempt to summarise it all

SPOTLIGHT Afro Celt Sound System • The global groove and harmony evangelists return with their first album since the death of founder Simon Emmerson. Jane Cornwell chats to original members, and now bandleaders, Johnny Kalsi and N’Faly Kouyaté

SIMON SAYS… • Simon Broughton catches up with Estonia’s Puuluup in Lithuania to discuss heavy metal and Eurovision

Next Issue… • December 2024 (#203)

FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, emails and everything in between

Chris Pollard (1957–2024) • Heart and soul of Songlines

Sérgio Mendes (1941-2024) • Global populariser of Brazilian music

And farewell to…

WORLD BUILDING THROUGH WORLD MUSIC • Erin Cobby reports on six projects using music as a platform to build communities and give the systematically marginalised a voice, both now and in the...