Supporting Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, gracing massive stages the world over, rubbing shoulders with the great and the good, and generally living the dream; it's been a hell of a year for Gavin James.
In the new issue of Hot Press, the singer-songwriter sits down for a revealing natter with Stuart Clark, covering everything from being bullied in school to hitching a ride on One Direction's private jet. He discusses his family ties to 1916, inking a deal with Capitol Records - following in the footsteps of Frank Sinatra, no less - and also, sounding 'like a leprechaun on speed'. Hey, his words, not ours!
Another man who's had a memorable 2015 - for very different reasons - is Howard Marks. The iconic Mr Nice was diagnosed with inoperable bowel cancer last year and, apparently doesn't have much longer to live. If you thought that would dull his sparkling wit and engaging character, though, think again; in a rare public appearance at the RDS, he talked to Olaf Tyaransen about the (very many) highs, and occasional lows, of an extraordinary life.
Meanwhile, the only way to mark the sleigh bells jingling - and ring-ting-tingling, too - is to dig into the HP contacts book and haul together some of our favourite faces for the annual Christmas Summit. Among those gathered at the round table were Anderson, Niamh Farrell, Thomas Walsh and The Mighty Stef, as they run the rule over the twelve months that have been.
The music event of the year, of course, was U2's triumphant return to Irish soil; we had our men and women stationed in both Belfast and Dublin to bring you all the action as the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour finally came home.
We also chat with Elbow's Guy Garvey about escaping the nest and flying solo; the Rubberbandits on their 1916 documentary; we pass judgement on new releases from Adele and Justin Bieber, and a special investigation by Daina Goldfinger lifts the lid on the scam artists preying on renters in Dublin.
Add in Joe Elliot, The Blades, and the man behind Waterford Whispers, as well as all the news, reviews and views that you've come to expect, and you've got the perfect read for this holiday season - it hits news stands tomorrow!

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