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The Wire

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

493 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:

aya, Joke Lanz, Satch Hoyt, Bios Contrast, Ailie Ormston, Trân Uy Đúc, MIC (Master Of Inane Conversation), Laura Cocks, John King, Invisible Jukebox: Alvin Curran, Epiphanies: Surgeon on William S Burroughs, The Inner Sleeve: Seymour Wright on Anne Gillis, Global Ear: Copenhagen, Unlimited Editions: Greyfade, Against The Grain: No more jazzy music. In the review sections: Gryphon Rue, Eska, Dead Pioneers, Ed Kuepper & Jim White, Kim Salmon & Masami Kawaguchi, Strata-East reissues, Music under Stalin, Matthew Shipp, Borealis, CTM, 160 Unity, Mona Mur, Carl Craig, Peaches, a tribute to Julius Eastman, Leigh Bowery, and specialist columns from avant rock to Size Matters. Plus: charts, letters, listings.

Also this month, all the magazine’s subscribers can download a copy of Below The Radar 47, the latest volume in our ongoing series of subscriber-only underground music compilations. The album contains new tracks, many previously unreleased, by Ava Mendoza & Malcolm Mooney, From The Lips To The Moon, Monika Badly, Adriana Morn, Kim Cass, Bianca Scout, Larry Wish, Degradation, Semay Wu, Nour Sokhon, YATTA, Duo Falak, Abdullah Miniawy, Lulenga, Felinto, and CECILIA. Get it here: thewire.co.uk/audio/btr. 

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.
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  • Usage reports, KBART data, MARC records and excellent customer support.
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  • First Issue: Summer 1982 (Issue 1)
  • Latest Issue: May 2025 (Issue 495)
  • Issue Count: 493