As the Topic label prepares to put its vast archive online, Alex Neilson sees unexpected connections between folk music's pluralist roots and the new routes promised by digital culture.

Simon Reynolds introduces a series of seven essays on his idea of a Hardcore Continuum. The essays all originally appeared in past issues of The Wire.

Originally published as "Technical Ecstasy" in The Wire #105 November 1992.

Originally published as "Above The Treeline" in The Wire #127 September 1994.

Originally published as "Sounds Of Blackness" in The Wire #136 June 1995.

Originally published as "Slipping Into Darkness" The Wire #148, June 1996.

Originally published as "2 Steps Back" in The Wire #166, December 1997.

Originally published as "Adult Hardcore" in The Wire #182 April 1999.

Originally published as "The Primer: Grime " in The Wire #254, April 2005.

A previously unpublished essay by NYC's own Alan Licht, specially commissioned to mark the magazine's 300th issue.

A previously unpublished essay by David Stubbs, on Paul Smith's Blast First label and Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon's Sonic Youth.

A previously unpublished artlcle commissioned especially for The Wire 300 online season.

Previously unpublished essay commissioned for The Wire's online 300th issue celebrations

Previously unpublished essay commissioned for The Wire's online 300th issue celebrations

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue.

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue.

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue.

Mark Fell argues that the limits of technological systems do not frustrate creativity.

Blue Rondo a la Richard Cook...

A collection of tributes to the late former editor of The Wire, who died August 2007