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

This is My Message to You-ou-ou

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

TOP OF THE WORLD • On your free CD – our editors’ selection of the best new releases reviewed in this issue

Feel the Felabrations • Ezra Collective, Togo All Stars and the Kuti family were among those performing at Lagos’ Felabration, an event which grows every year

IT’S HAPPENING

NO MORE TROUBLE • Currently on the Songlines stereo…

No Contest • In 2016, Jamala unexpectedly won Eurovision with a song decrying the deportation of Crimean Tatars. She now returns with an album going even further, mapping out her beloved Crimea

THE GLOBE AT A GLANCE

Letting The Light In • Kings Place’s new artist-in-residence talks about the programme she’s curated for Scotland Unwrapped, involving poetry, birdsong, folklore and choral euphoria

Routes to Roots • Over the next few issues we’ll be bringing you updates from Scottish violinist and composer Catriona Price as she takes her latest project to Latin America

Great Scots!

Songs for Peace • Lankum, Lisa O’Neill and The Mary Wallopers play a benefit gig in Dublin as artists around the world respond to the violence in Palestine and Israel

The 4 Corners and Centre of Don Letts’ Universe • Some tricky choices for the British DJ and musician: “To ask somebody who’s as old as rock and roll to choose his five albums is impossible, a top 50 would be easier!”

SONGLiNES MUSIC AWARDS 2023 • The anticipation is over as we reveal the final two winners in the Songlines Music Awards 2023, marking another great year of worldwide music

THE WINNERS • The other winners were all announced earlier this year. To hear from all our winners, and watch exclusive performances, visit youtube.com/songlines to watch our 2023 awards ceremony.

Julieta Laso • The Argentine actress-turned-musician folds Latin American folklore into a new “miracle” album. “I wanted to jump to something different,” she tells Silvia Rothlisberger

Bounaly • Oli Warwick talks to the Malian guitarist keeping the music of the displaced alive across Bamako, infusing desert blues with takamba’s pulse and harmonics

SPOTLIGHT Yann and Emilie Tiersen • The Breton musical couple have taken to touring their music by boat. Their aim? To “prioritise active listening and interaction with our audiences, friends and nature,” they tell Pierre Cuny

SIMON SAYS… • Simon Broughton sees the premiere performance of a new theatre piece featuring Afghan singer Elaha Soroor

Next Issue…

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

Sara Tavares (1978-2023) • Much-loved voice of Portugal and Lusophone Africa

The Best Albums 2023 • Songlines’ editorial team, Russ Slater Johnson and Emma Rycroft, choose their favourite albums of the year. After another bumper year of releases, there really were no easy choices.

SO MUCH THINGS TO SAY • Ahead of a new Hollywood biopic of Bob Marley, we celebrate the Jamaican musician and his astonishing legacy by speaking to his family and...