Features
Eliza Carthy: ‘I just don’t get why guitars are revered in the way they are’
Eliza explores the “daft” world of guitars before two passionate music friends begin her conversion…
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Features
50 Rhythms of the World (Part 1 – A to M)
Discover a whole world of music through the rhythms that bring it to life with our A to Z of 50 Rhythms of the World. This is Part 1, from Adi Talam to Morna...
News
Obituary: Kassé Mady Diabaté 1949-2018
Mali has lost one of its greatest singers of all time, Kassé Mady Diabaté, who passed away in Bamako on May 24, aged 69. Lucy Durán writes about the life of a much-loved musician and friend.
A Beginner's Guide
Bassekou Kouyaté: A Beginner's Guide
Simultaneously innovating and upholding the traditions of the ngoni, Bassekou Kouyaté is a name synonymous with his instrument’s modern sound. Nigel Williamson rounds up his sparkling career
Features
Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko: 21 Strings
With Toumani and Ballaké’s epochal New Ancient Strings to be reissued for its 25th anniversary, we speak to Lucy Durán, the album’s producer, about the unique recording and her documentary tracing the history of the kora
Live reviews
Sam Lee, Round Chapel, London, June 13 2024
Singer and conservationist Sam Lee blends environmental activism with enchanting folk music in live show for 'songdreaming' tour
Features
Salif Keita: “The youth are into machines… We are about to lose our traditional instruments”
After announcing his retirement in 2018, Malian singer and musician Salif Keita has slowly returned to the spotlight following a series of shows last year. Now, he’s making the comeback official with an extraordinary new album
Features
Celtic Connections 2025: much-loved festival to warm up winter nights in Glasgow
Audiences can look forward to a diverse line-up of homegrown and international musical talent
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
Elvis Costello – My World: “We need to get free of being so impressed with our own continuity and music”
The British singer-songwriter tells Russ Slater all about his disparate musical tastes, from country to Ethiopian music and almost everything in between. Photography by Mark Seliger
Features
Lonnie Holley's My World: “I keep seeing what’s happening in the world and trying to make music about it”
Doug DeLoach speaks to the sculptor, painter and musician who prioritises improvisation, with lyrics summoned on the spot and no two shows the same
Features
BCUC: “We are from a culture of spiritual endurance and our music transcends sound”
Diane Coetzer talks to the South African band BCUC who are exporting their traditional Soweto music across the globe and mesmerising audiences, one transcendental show at a time
Features
“The music takes me over. I dive in so deep that I go into a trance… Music is who I am” | Rokia Koné interview
The new voice of Mali, Rokia Koné, teamed up with producer-to-the-stars Jacknife Lee for an album sure to go down as a classic. Jane Cornwell catches up with this seemingly improbable, though quite inspired, pop partnership. Photography by Karen Paulina Biswell
Features
Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi: Challenging perceptions of home and belonging
Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi revisit classic folk songs on their latest release. The pair talk about the continuing relevance of folk music, the concept of home and life during lockdown
