Journalist · Author · Host
South African–born, Chicago-based. Writing about music, culture, and the stories that travel across borders — for The New York Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Variety, and beyond.
About
Lior Phillips is a journalist, author, and host whose work has helped bring the sound, stories, and struggles of global music to international audiences. Born in South Africa, based in Chicago, she writes at the intersection of culture, identity, and sound.
Her debut book, South African Popular Music (Bloomsbury, 2023), traces the nation's musical history from 1940s mbube harmonies through contemporary amapiano and gqom. She is currently writing Cher's Believe for the iconic 33⅓ series, publishing November 12, 2026.
Known for pairing deep research with a lyrical touch, she has contributed to The New York Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Variety, Billboard, Pitchfork, GRAMMY.com, Dazed, The Quietus, GQ South Africa, NPR, Wondering Sound, and many more — since 2014.
As host of the acclaimed podcast This Must Be the Gig on the Consequence Podcast Network, she has conducted hundreds of long-form conversations with artists including Alicia Keys, David Byrne, Shirley Manson, Black Thought, Ólafur Arnalds, and The Cranberries. She lives in Chicago with her twin sons.
Books
33⅓ Series · Bloomsbury Academic
A sweeping account of South Africa's musical history — from 1940s mbube harmonies through kwaito, gqom, and the global rise of amapiano. Featured in Variety, Consequence, and on The Music Book Podcast. Syndicated on Louisville Public Media. Comes with an 81-track Spotify companion playlist.
"Your next great music read." — Consequence of Sound
"A beautiful book in the 33⅓ Genre series." — Radio New Zealand
33⅓ Series · Bloomsbury · Forthcoming
Selected through Bloomsbury's competitive open call, this book explores Cher's return to pop at 52 — making her the oldest woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 — and the album that became her giant middle finger to pop's ageism. An icon's defiance, and a cultural reckoning with who gets to belong.
Selected Writing
Podcast
Creator, host, and producer of the acclaimed longform interview podcast on the Consequence Podcast Network (2018–2021). Each episode dug into the formative creative experiences — first concerts, pivotal moments, unexpected influences — that shaped artists' lives.
The show hit 100 episodes and became a destination for musicians to reflect on creativity in an unguarded, intimate setting. Recorded at venues including StubHub NYC and studios across the US.
118 episodes · 2018–2020
Live & Events
Stage Interview · 2025
Headline public conversation hosted at a Chicago cultural venue, merging deep research with live storytelling.
Live Television · 2025
Live TV interview with Canadian rock band The Beaches, bringing artist insight to a mainstream broadcast audience.
Panel Moderator · SXSW 2019
Moderated panel with Rev. Moose, James Moody (Mohawk Austin), and Tessa Morris (UC Theatre) on community building in independent music.
Live Recording · NYC 2019
Live podcast recording at StubHub NYC flagship celebrating the show's 80th episode milestone.
Festival Coverage
Live review and coverage of the Nordic music festival. Also covered: Pitchfork Festival Chicago, Red Bull Music Festival NYC.
100th Episode · 2020
Special compilation episode featuring Mike Patton, Alicia Keys, David Byrne, Shirley Manson, Jacob Collier, and Jenny Slate.
Photography
Alongside her writing and hosting, Lior shot live music and festival photography for Consequence across Europe and North America. All galleries via Consequence.
Video
In a new interview with Rolling Stone at our 'Gather No Moss' rock tour stop in Chicago, The Beaches talk about dropping their new album, being on tour, and how their love lives have informed their new project.
Press & Media Kit
Press Coverage
"Your next great music read." — Consequence of Sound
"A beautiful book in the 33⅓ Genre series." — Jesse Mulligan, Radio New Zealand
Interview on Louisville Public Media / Kyle Meredith With...
Short Bio
Lior Phillips is a South African–born, Chicago-based journalist, author, and host. She is the author of South African Popular Music (Bloomsbury, 2023) and is writing Cher's Believe for the 33⅓ series (November 2026). Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Variety, Billboard, Pitchfork, GRAMMY.com, Dazed, The Quietus, NPR, GQ South Africa, Haaretz, Wondering Sound, and more. She created and hosted This Must Be the Gig on the Consequence Podcast Network.
Copied ✓
Available for editorial commissions, interviews, panel moderation, podcast guesting, and keynote conversations on music, culture, and global storytelling.
Copied ✓
