About

Shindig! began in 1992 as a photocopied garage-punk fanzine called Gravedigger. A couple of years on editor Jon ‘Mojo’ Mills and PJ Crittenden reinvented the title as Shindig! as a tip of the hat to the ABC TV show that took The British Invasion to America and paved the way for folk-rock, garage music and everything that followed. Andy Morten joined the team in 1997 and has worked jointly with Jon ever since and grown the magazine into the multi tentacled beast that it is today. After a long, and eventually destructive, relationship with Volcano Publishing – that took the magazine to the high streets of the world – Shindig! entered 2016, the other side of its celebrated 50th issue, bigger and better, thanks to fabulous new publisher Silverback. The magazine can be found on the high street via WH Smiths, in all manner of independent record stores, at airports and train stations and in key outlets across the USA and the rest of world, including Barnes & Noble.

Touching on the more neglected moments of rock’s royalty to the weird and wonderfully unsung world of garage bands, psychedelic fly by nights, pot smoking country-rock bands, hippie folkies and country singers; the acceptable side of progressive rock; heavy duty denim clad basement rockers; wigged out funkateers and jazz men; synth based experimental boffins… right through to the powerpop and early punk bands that ushered in the ’80s, Shindig! prides itself in joining the dots together from the very best of music’s past. It also casts a selective eye over the best new musicians and bands who continue to develop and expand on what has gone before. Film, TV, legendary clubs, festivals and events, counter culture and whatever tickles our fancy are covered as well, with passion, knowledge and integrity. Over 20 years the brand has grown a loyal collective of readers from all walks of life and musical backgrounds.

Testimonials

“Shindig! is one of those independent mags that are beacons in the dismal modern magazine world. Where so much is lazy, formulaic and complacent, it’s smart, passionate and quirky and should be celebrated. Long live Shindig!”

Stuart Maconie, broadcaster and writer

“All the greatest magazines are made by people who genuinely care about what they write about and about thrilling their readers. Shindig! is one of those magazines. It’s driven by passion and knowledge, and a view that music makes the world a better place. Long may Shindig! continue to thrive and grow.”

Phil Alexander, Editor, Mojo

“I am a loyal reader, buying every issue when it turns up in Manhattan. It is a fave read and I’m always heartened by your — and your writers’ – expertise and passion. It’s not just the artists and era you cover – which I am partial to – it’s your faith in music itself, as more than something that comes with a new phone. Anyway, my congrats and thanks.”

David Fricke, Senior Writer, Rolling Stone

“Every beautiful tree has roots. Shindig!‘s job is to blow away the grime and show us all the twisted, majestic and rainbow roots of ’60s and ’70s music. Nobody does it better.”

Andy Partridge, XTC

“Shindig! is one of the last great publications on the planet. Passionate music heads who still care about quality over quantity. Bless their souls.”

Matt Sullivan, Light In The Attic Records

“We love Shindig! We always fight over who gets first read in the office and we’ve several subscribers here. It’s an outstanding magazine clearly made by profoundly knowledgable music lovers. It’s a gem. We just wish there were more magazines like this. Shindig! will always have our utmost support.”

Ben Ayres / Jamie Woolgar, Rough Trade Records