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.

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Songlines

It’s cold by the door

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

WOMEX Comes to Manchester • The ‘worldwide music expo’, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary, came to the UK for the third time, following editions in Cardiff and Gateshead/Newcastle

¡Viva Los Domingos! • Sundays in London are about to get a lot more Cuban as a new monthly residency fires up a crack team of timba musicians for its inaugural event

NØ FØRMAT! 20 YEARS

Northern Exposure • Two festivals in Norway’s cold north warm the soul with enviable line-ups and empowering approaches

Amir Amiri • Simon Broughton profiles an Iranian santur player who has faced trauma but now focuses on paying respect to his ancestors and raising the profile of his instrument

NEWS BITES

Voicing the Tradition • Dublin folk singer Daoirí Farrell discusses inhabiting his songs, touring in 2025 and plans for his next album

The 4 Corners and Centre of Baba Zula’s Universe • Osman Murat Ertel of Turkish psychedelic ambassadors Baba Zula walks us through his formative records

La Sonora Mazurén • Charis McGowan speaks to the Colombian septet offering up a kaleidoscopic collision of Latin American rhythms

WASSAIL AWAY • Freshly released Christmas crackers to soundtrack your festive merriment

Korea Opportunities • Across October and November, Korean music filtered its way into London’s venues as the K-Music Festival returned for its 2024 edition. Here are two of the festival’s highlights…

IT’S HAPPENING

Rise Kagona (1960-2024) • Bhundu Boys guitarist and ‘world music’ pioneer

Manuel ‘Guajiro’ Mirabal (1933-2024) • Buena Vista’s trusted trumpeter

Papa Noel (1940-2024) • Congolese music mainstay

And farewell to…

SIMON SAYS… • In honour of the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia, Simon Broughton heads to Saint-Cécile Cathedral in Albi, France

Next Issue… • February/March 2025 (#205) On sale January 31

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

COMPETITIONS

A Conversation with L SUBRAMANIAM • Russ Slater Johnson speaks to the ‘Paganini of Indian Classical Music’, who reflects on a life of groundbreaking collaborations, cultural fusion and the legacy of Carnatic music

AFRICAIN à PARIS • During his career, Tiken Jah Fakoly has fused reggae with unwavering pan-African activism. The Ivorian reggae icon speaks to Daniel Brown about his latest release and how the fight for justice in Africa is far from over

IN HER VOICE • Remarkable rising star Xenia França is challenging perceptions of what it means to be a Black Brazilian woman, quickly becoming the voice of a new generation of artists. Alex Robinson reports…

REVIEW of 2024 • We look back at a year of conflicts, communions, collections and commendations as we try to pick through the...