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The Wire

Archived since Summer 1982 (Issue 1)
Complete Archive Perpetual Access Available

492 issues

JISC Collection

The Wire is the world's leading independent monthly music magazine. The first issue was published in 1982. More than four decades on the magazine remains committed to reporting on a dynamic global network of underground, alternative and experimental musics by publishing journalism and photography by some of the subculture’s most original and authoritative critics and observers.

A digital subscription gives access to the complete online archive of back issues of The Wire since issue one, summer 1982 — that's over 40 years, 470 issues and 40,000 pages.

Latest Issue:

On the cover: Raven Chacon. Inside: Ingrid Laubrock, Cleaners From Venus, Bastard Assignments, Infinity Knives, Penelope Trappes, Ciaran Mackle, Lukas De Clerck, Invisible Jukebox: Jeff Mills, Global Ear: Osaka’s noise scene, Unlimited Editions: Cardboard Club, The Inner Sleeve: Loraine James on Circe Survive’s On Letting Go, Epiphanies: Golem Mecanique on Pasolini’s Accattone. And in the reviews sections: Backxwash, Wolf Eyes x Anthony Braxton, Zoë Mc Pherson, Labyrinthe Des Esprits, Clipping, Black Rain, Kuunatic, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre OST, Peter Brötzmann, Volcanic Tongue, Michael Snow, BEAM SPLITTER x Xiu Xiu, and more.

Also this month, all subscribers can download The Wire Tapper 67 featuring 16 new tracks by Berke Can Özcan & Jonah Parzen-Johnson, Simon Grab & David Meier, Red Largo, Sinemis, Laura Agnusdei, Splat!, Faraway Ghost x Sunken Cages, and more. Get it here: https://www.thewire.co.uk/audio/the-wire-tapper/

Want a taster of The Wire’s content? Sign up here to New Issue Notifications to receive email alerts each time a new issue is published, alongside its editorial highlights.

Subscription Features

  • Fully-searchable access to the growing archive of current and back issues.
  • Inclusive accessibility features, such as plain text and 'Read Aloud' technology.
  • Unlimited IP-authenticated access and remote access options available.
  • Cross-platform compatibility with all Web, iOS and Android devices.
  • Usage reports, KBART data, MARC records and excellent customer support.
Research Areas:

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  • First Issue: Summer 1982 (Issue 1)
  • Latest Issue: April 2025 (Issue 494)
  • Issue Count: 492