In May 2025, The Wire put out an urgent call for support, citing rising costs and changes to the music and media landscapes as increasing threats to the magazine’s ongoing existence. Many of you heeded the call, by buying a subscription or a copy of the magazine, or by making a donation.

The response was overwhelming, and gave us the necessary resources, financial and spiritual, to press on with publishing the magazine’s 500th issue in October, and move into the new year with renewed energy – we have just published issue 507 of the magazine, a special issue with two alternate covers featuring artwork by Savage Pencil.

But a year on from that call out, the climate for publishing an independent monthly music magazine is more harsh than ever. Print, postage and distribution costs have all increased again, magazine outlets on the high street are closing, and there is an ongoing cost of living crisis to which The Wire is not immune.

In short, we need your helping hands once again, to give us the extra resources to keep on publishing the magazine. So we have decided to make our call for support an annual event, our equivalent to other independent music organisations' yearly fundraisers.

So this month, please consider taking out a print subscription or a digital subscription. Or pick up a copy of the magazine in our online shop today. Or make a donation to our publishing fund.

For more than 40 years, The Wire has remained a unique and respected publication, 100 per cent independent and uncompromising, a forum for underground musicians and writers, and a trusted filter for readers to get to grips with all the creative music out there.

With the support of our extended community of subscribers and readers, The Wire will continue to survive and thrive. We look forward to you joining us on that journey.

Thank you.

All at The Wire