Our music magazine pdf archive offers over 60 titles for music fans, professional musicians, and industry business people. Looking for a music magazine pdf on your favorite genre? You’ll find a massive selection covering everything from hard rock and pop to country, classical, jazz, and blues. Explore our digital library of FreeMagazines to discover classic back issues and recent publications.
Click ‘Magazines’ in the top menu to find our free online magazines on over 50 subjects. We have 600+ titles, with thousands of back issues.
Table of contents
- Rock & Alternative Music Magazine PDF
- Classical & Opera Free Music Magazines
- Jazz & Blues Music Magazine PDF
- Country & Folk Free Music Magazines PDF
- Electronic & Dance Music Magazine PDF
- General Pop & Chart Free Music Magazines PDF
- Indie & World Free Music Magazines PDF Download
- Music Mags for Musicians: Gear & Tutorials
- Music Business & Industry Magazine
- Specialty & Vintage Free Music Magazines
- Free Music Magazines Online Resources & Websites
- Explore More Free Online Resources
We have a wide variety of free music magazines available online. We have grouped them into categories, but some magazines cater to multiple interests or aren’t easily categorized.
Rock & Alternative Music Magazine PDF
Dive into the greatest eras of rock. This section features archive issues and music magazine pdf downloads dedicated to rock, heavy metal, indie, and alternative music legends. Discover classic titles like Rolling Stone, Mojo, and Kerrang!
Beatles Monthly Book
1963-1969
London: Sean O’Mahony
“The Beatles Book (also known as Beatles Monthly) was a fanzine dedicated to the English rock band the Beatles, founded in 1963. It was first published in August 1963 and continued for 77 editions until it stopped publication after the December 1969 edition. It was revived in 1976, and ceased publication in 2003.” – Internet Archive. 1960s popular music magazine pdf.
DIY Magazine
2014 – Present
UK: DIY
“The UK’s leading independent alternative music magazine in digital and physical print, published monthly.”
Headliner Magazine
2014- Present
UK: Headliner
“Headliner is a music lifestyle and technology publication which supports the creative community of artists, music professionals, and enthusiasts.”
Kerrang
Kerrang Magazine Website
2015-2016
1981-1983
London: Wasted Talent Ltd
“Kerrang magazine pdf is a British weekly magazine devoted to rock and metal music, currently published by Wasted Talent. Kerrang! was initially devoted to the new wave of British heavy metal and the rise of hard rock acts. In the early 2000s it became the best-selling British music weekly.” – Wikipedia.
Melody Maker Magazine
1967-1969
London – Melody Maker
Melody Maker magazine was a British weekly music newspaper and one of the world’s earliest music weeklies. It was founded in 1926, as a magazine for dance band musicians. In the late ’60s the Melody Maker concentrated on Rock & Pop, but also included pages for such genres as Jazz and Folk.
Mojo
Mojo Magazine Website
2016-Present
UK: Bauer Media
“Mojo magazine pdf is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom.” Founded in 1993. – Wikipedia.
Music Legends
Coda Records Website
2019 – Present
Chichester, UK: Coda Records
“Music Legends is the new monthly rock music magazine featuring the greatest stories and music history of classic rock bands, legacy rock music, and rock legends, including the early days of Queen, an in-depth interview with Pete Best, the original Beatles drummer, Fleetwood Mac on the making of ‘Rumours’, plus Springsteen, The Clash, Eagles , U2, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, Prince, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, Beach Boys, Sex Pistols, Credence Clearwater Revival and much, much more! ” – Publisher. Free magazine for rock music fans.
Plan B
2004-2009
UK: Plan B Publishing
“Plan B was a monthly music magazine based in London. It catered mainly towards independent music, and also documented alternative culture such as film, comics, video games, visual art and books.”
Roctober
1992-2023
Illinois: Roctober
“Roctober celebrates the most dynamic, bizarre, and amazing unjustly obscure musical heroes of rock, pop, r&b, rockabilly, punk, gay disco, hip hop, Armenian novelty songs and all points in between.”
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone Magazine Website
Rolling Stone 2014-2015
Rolling Stone 1992-2012
Rolling Stone Index for 1967-1991
U.S. – Penske Media Corp.
“Rolling Stone magazine is a cultural icon. It’s the number one pop culture reference point for 13 million young adults. In addition to its authoritative position in music, Rolling Stone’s sphere of influence reaches into entertainment, movies, television, technology, and national affairs. Rolling Stone covers everything that’s important, trend-setting, and newsworthy to the thought leaders among young adults.” – Rolling Stone. Magazine mainly of rock music.
The Skinny Magazine
2006- Present
UK: Radge Media
“The Skinny is Scotland’s largest culture, entertainment and events magazine with 35,000 copies distributed monthly in Scotland across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.”
Sounds
1970-1991
UK: Spotlight
Sounds was a UK weekly pop/rock music newspaper, published from 10 October 1970 to 6 April 1991. It was known for giving away posters in the centre of the paper (initially black and white, then colour from late 1971) and later for covering heavy metal and punk music in its late 1970s–early 1980s heyday.
Spin
Spin Magazine Website
1985-2012
U.S.: Spin Media
“From the concert stage to the dressing room, from the recording studio to the digital realm, “SPIN magazine” surveys the modern musical landscape and the culture around it with authoritative reporting, provocative interviews, and a discerning critical ear.” Spin magazine is mainly a magazine for musicians and the music trade.
Uncut UK
Uncut UK Magazine Website
2013-2023
Bandlab Technologies
“Uncut UK Magazine pdf is your essential guide to the month’s best music. Every issue, our comprehensive and trustworthy reviews section showcases the best new releases and reissues, while our in-depth features section includes interviews with the greatest names in music from the past five decades as well as the classic artists of tomorrow.”
The Wire
The Wire Website
1982-2006
London: Tony Herrington
The Wire Magazine pdf is a British magazine, founded in 1982. It originally covered Jazz, but gradually expanded its scope to include experimental rock, electronica, alternative hip hop, modern classical, free improvisation, nu jazz and traditional music. – Summary of Wikipedia article.
Classical & Opera Free Music Magazines
Explore centuries of musical genius with our selection of free music magazines on classical music, opera, and choral performance. Access publications like Gramophone and Opera News for reviews of recordings, artist profiles, and historical features.
Gramophone
Gramophone Magazine Website
2008-2020
London: Mark Allen Group
“Gramophone magazine pdf is a magazine published monthly in London, devoted to classical music, particularly to reviews of recordings. It was founded in 1923 by the Scottish author Compton Mackenzie who continued to edit the magazine until 1961. On its website Gramophone claims to be: “The world’s authority on classical music since 1923.” – Wikipedia.
Musical America Magazine
Musical America Website
1898-1961 at Internet Archive (Black & White)
New Jersey:
The oldest American magazine on classical music, first appearing in 1898. It was a weekly until 1929, then producing 15-20 issues per year until 1960. The magazine continues today online. Music magazines free pdf download.
Opera News
1936-1961 at Internet Archive (Black & White)
NY: Metropolitan Opera Guild
A classical music magazine, launched in 1936, that provides in-depth coverage and information on all matters relating to the American and International opera scenes. Opera News has continued to exist online.
Piano & Keyboard Magazine
1952-1997 (Black & White)
California: SparrowHawk
Magazine of Interviews, articles and news from the world of piano and keyboard music.
Jazz & Blues Music Magazine PDF
Get lost in the history and improvisation of jazz and blues. Download music magazine pdf issues of celebrated titles such as DownBeat and JazzTimes, covering artists, venues, and the evolution of American roots music.
DownBeat Magazine
DownBeat Magazine Website
1937-1961
Chicago: Maher
DownBeat is an American magazine devoted to “jazz, blues and beyond.” Founded in 1934 in Chicago.
JazzTimes
JazzTimes Magazine Website
1994-2004
Silver Spring, MD Glenn Sabin
“America’s preeminent jazz magazine relies on an award-winning staff to provide uncompromising and provocative coverage of the jazz scene in the U.S. and throughout the world. Featuring special themes, insightful profiles,comprehensive guides and timely news reports.” – JazzTimes Magazine.
Websites of More PDF Music Magazines
Free online versions of these music magazines are not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.
All About Jazz
Living Blues
Country & Folk Free Music Magazines PDF
From Nashville to the folk revival, find articles, reviews, and features on country, bluegrass, Americana, and folk music. This collection includes various music magazine pdf and digital issues for the roots music enthusiast.
Country Music Inquirer
1983-1985
Nashville: Roy Hall Attractions
All the great Country Music stars are here.
Country Music Life
Country Music Life 1965-1971
California: “Country Music Life” Magazine Publications
Rather than a focus on the stars, there is a lot of industry news. American country music life magazine pdf.
Nash Country Weekly Magazine
2015
Nashville: Nash Country
Seems to have mainly articles about Country Music greats.
Rhythms Magazine
Rhythms Magazine Website
2019 – Present
Hughesdale, AUS: Rhythms
“Over 25 years and more than 288 issues, Rhythms Magazine has established a reputation as The Bible of roots music in Australia. Hungrily exploring almost anything to do with blues, roots, folk, Americana, jazz, country, and world music, Rhythms is totally unique. It is cherished by its readers for its authority, credibility and diversity.” – Publisher.
Websites of More PDF Music Magazines
Free online versions of these music magazines are not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.
Sing Out
Electronic & Dance Music Magazine PDF
The rhythm is calling! Our collection of FreeMagazines offers digital editions and music magazine pdf downloads focused on house, techno, EDM, and all forms of electronic dance music, featuring titles like Muzik and Beat Selector.
Beat Selector
2015- Present
U.S.: Keyser
“America’s preeminent Electronic Music magazine, provides smart, intuitive and uncompromising coverage of the electronic music scene in the U.S. and throughout the world.”
Muzik Magazine
1995-2003
UK: IPC Media
“Muzik magazine was a British dance music magazine published by IPC Media from June 1995 to August 2003. Aimed at serious dance music fans rather than weekend clubbers, Muzik’s writers included a number of well-known DJs, including Kris Needs, Rob da Bank, Spoony, Terry Farley, Bob Jones, Jonty Skrufff and Dave Mothersole.” – Wikipedia.
General Pop & Chart Free Music Magazines PDF
Stay on top of the hits and chart history. Access digital issues of industry-defining FreeMagazines like Billboard, Cash Box, and Smash Hits, tracking the top songs and albums across decades in an easy-to-read music magazine pdf format.
Billboard
Billboard Magazine Website
1894-2017 at World Radio History
1980-2011
Billboard Co., Cincinnati, OH
“Billboard magazine pdf is an American entertainment media brand owned by the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group, a division of Eldridge Industries. It publishes pieces involving news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style, and is also known for its music charts, including the Hot 100 and Billboard 200, tracking the most popular songs and albums in different genres. It also hosts events, owns a publishing firm, and operates several TV shows.” -Wikipedia.
Cash Box
1942-1996
NY: Cash Box Inc.
“Cash Box was a weekly magazine dedicated to the music and jukebox industries published from July 1942 to November 1996. An alternative to Billboard Magazine, Cash Box included regional chart data, hit songs by city, radio station, and record sales, popularity by jukebox, and charts by genre including country and R&B music.
Hits
Hits Magazine Website
1987-2002
U.S.
“Hits magazine is an American music industry trade publication. Founded by Lenny Beer and Dennis Lavinthal, who had previously worked in independent promotion, it was launched as a print magazine in August 1986. It quickly became one of the more widely circulated “tip sheets” with considerable record industry support.” Hits magazine online.
Pop Weekly
1962-1965
London – Pop Weekly
A UK music weekly founded in 1962 as ‘Pop Ten Monthly’, changing names later that year to ‘Pop Weekly’. It claimed to be the first magazine to combine up-to-the-minute news reports, articles on all of the most popular artists and groups of the day together with fabulous shots of the stars.
Back issues of the UK magazine Melody Maker, also on this page above, may be of interest.
Record World
1957-1982
U.S.
“Record World magazine was a music industry trade magazine published from 1946 to April of 1982. Until 1964 it was called “Music Vendor.” -American Radio History.
RPM Music Weekly Magazine
1964-1966
Toronto, Canada: Walt Grealis
RPM Music Weekly, since its founding in February 1964, covered the news in many aspects of the popular music business throughout Canada, including band personnel, radio, recording, and concerts.
Smash Hits Magazine
1981-1988
“Smash Hits magazine pdf was a pop music magazine aimed at teenagers and young adults, featuring lyrics, photographs, interviews and news related to celebrity music acts in the UK (Later offshoots arrived in the US and Australia). After an initial test issue, the magazine started publishing in 1979, switching to a fortnightly schedule after three issues, and finally closing up in 2006. – Internet Archive.
Indie & World Free Music Magazines PDF Download
This eclectic mix includes free music magazines for indie, experimental, world music, and genre-bending artists. Find unique perspectives and interviews in publications like The Wire and Roctober, available for immediate PDF download.
Rock and Blues International
2020- Present
Texas: Rock and Blues International
Lots of articles, many very in-depth, about established musicians who aren’t currently in the spotlight.
Music Mags for Musicians: Gear & Tutorials
Improve your craft with free music magazines focused on instruments, recording, and technique. Find gear reviews, tutorials, and interviews with professional players in titles like Modern Drummer, Guitar World, and Canadian Musician.
Canadian Musician
Issues 2015 – 2020
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada: NWC World
“Canada’s magazine for professional and amateur musicians. Published bi-monthly, Canadian Musician features regular columns on Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds, Vocal, MIDI, Business, Songwriting, Live Sound, Recording and On-Line Music. Also included are classified ads, opportunities for musicians, new releases and new products.” – Publisher.
Hammond Times
1957-1969
Illinois: Hammond Organ Co.
“Newsletter produced by Hammond Organ Co. for Hammond organ owners.”
Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer Magazine Website
1977-2019
U.S.: Modern Drummer
“Caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers through interviews with the world’s best drummers. MD also reports on trends, activities, drum products, publications, and recordings. A roster of over 35 educational departments offers readers playing tips and advice.” – Publisher.
Performer
2012-2023
Boston: Performer
“Performer Magazine is focused on the music business, pro audio, audio recording, music licensing, royalties, copyright law, music reviews and music publishing.”
Piano & Keyboard
1952-1997 (Black & White)
California: SparrowHawk
Interviews, articles and news from the world of piano and keyboard music.
Websites of More PDF Music Magazines
Free online versions of these music magazines are not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.
Mix: Music Production, Live Sound, Sound for Picture
Music Business & Industry Magazine
Get the news and trends from the industry side of music. This collection features music magazine pdf editions of trade publications like Music Row, Cash Box, and Hits Magazine, essential for professionals and those interested in the business of music.
BRE / Black Radio Exclusive
1985-1996
Hollywood, CA.: Black Radio Exclusive
Sidney Miller Jr.and Susan Miller started publishing Black Radio Exclusive, popularly known as BRE Magazine, in 1976. It was focused on Black / Urban Radio with music release and artist information and radio airplay charts.
Cash Box
1942-1996
NY: Cash Box Inc.
“Cash Box was a weekly magazine dedicated to the music and jukebox industries published from July 1942 to November 1996. An alternative to Billboard Magazine, Cash Box included regional chart data, hit songs by city, radio station, and record sales, popularity by jukebox, and charts by genre including country and R&B music.
Hits
Hits Magazine Website
1987-2002
U.S.
“Hits magazine is an American music industry trade publication. Founded by Lenny Beer and Dennis Lavinthal, who had previously worked in independent promotion, it was launched as a print magazine in August 1986. It quickly became one of the more widely circulated “tip sheets” with considerable record industry support.” Hits magazine online.
Mobile Beat
1991-2016
U.S.: Mobile Beat
“Sound, Lighting, Video, Performance, Music, Business. The Mobile Entertainer’s Magazine”.
Music Connection
1985- Present
Los Angeles: Music Connection
“Published since 1977, Music Connection magazine is a monthly music trade publication catering to musicians, industry pro’s, and support services.”
Music News / Music Views
1945-1959
Hollywood, CA: Capitol Publications
The magazine changed names from Music News to Music Views in 1952.
Music Row
Music Row Website
1983-2019
Nashville, TN: Music Row Publications
MusicRow is a Nashville music industry trade publication which has been providing reviews, breaking news, and in-depth coverage for 40 years.
Music World Magazine
1957-1958
Canada: Music World
“Canada’s only publication devoted to popular music.” In the format of a newspaper, Music World brings the news of all aspects of the popular music industry in Canada.”
Music Views
1945-1959
California: Capitol Publications
A magazine to promote Capitol Records and their stars.
Record Research
1955-1989
Subtitle: “Magazine of Record Statistics and Information”. Record Research magazine was a record collectors’ auction list and discography/records history magazine published between 1955 and 1995. It appears to have been an independent newsletter, containing columns, informative tidbits, artist profiles, and information about records, including those from the earliest days of the recording industry.
Record World
1957-1982
U.S.
“Record World magazine was a music industry trade magazine published from 1946 to April of 1982. Until 1964 it was called “Music Vendor.” -American Radio History.
RPM Music Weekly
1964-1966
Toronto, Canada: Walt Grealis
RPM Music Weekly, since its founding in February 1964, covered the news in many aspects of the popular music business throughout Canada, including band personnel, radio, recording, and concerts.
Specialty & Vintage Free Music Magazines
A unique archive of free music magazines covering niche topics like high-fidelity audio equipment, vintage music history, and specific band leaders. Discover rare, historical publications for the dedicated collector.
Band Leaders Magazine
1944-1946
U.S.
Band Leaders was began in 1944 and featured articles about the band leaders, naturally, as well as the band, singers and music of the era.
High Fidelity Music
1951-1989
U.S.
“High Fidelity was an American magazine that was published from April 1951 until July 1989 and was a source of information about high fidelity audio equipment, video equipment, audio recordings, and other aspects of the musical world, such as music history, biographies, and anecdotal stories by or about noted performers. – Wikipedia.
The Independent Music Show
The Independent Music Show Magazine Website
Issues 2017 – Present
Independent Music Show
Magazine produced for the Independent Music Show radio program that is broadcast on stations around the world. It includes a program schedule, links to independent music, and articles and news.
Miscellaneous Unsorted Music Magazines
1800s – Present
Various publishers
This large collection contains many titles with only one or a few issues.
The Music Magazine and Musical Courier
1880-1962 at Internet Archive (Black & White)
NY: Blumenberg
“The Musical Courier began in 1880, and included editorials, obituaries, announcements, scholarly articles and investigatory writing about musical instruments and music in general. These included “construction practices, descriptions, tools, exhibitions and collections, new technologies, and laws and legal actions” relating to the music industry.” – Wikipedia. Music magazines free pdf download.
Phonograph Monthly Review
1926-1932
Massachusetts: Phonograph Publishing
“In addition to articles about recordings, this magazine contains reviews of records in the categories Orchestral, Instrumental, Choral, Operatic, Songs, Popular Dance, Books.”
Free Music Magazines Online Resources & Websites
While not all are full PDF downloads, this section highlights essential websites and free music magazines that provide valuable articles and up-to-date industry coverage online.
Websites of More PDF Music Magazines
Free online versions of these music magazines are not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.
All About Jazz
Living Blues
Mix: Music Production, Live Sound, Sound for Picture
Music Radar
Explore More Free Online Resources
See our Century Past directories for hundreds of webpages of Books; Magazines; Articles, maps, & photos; and Newspapers. You’ll find the same directories on the top Menu. Here are a few suggested pages: