- Music
- 23 Jul 14
Cover star Ed Sheeran talking about his whirlwind success and why he's cool with controversy, plus the likes of Manic Street Preachers, Arcade Fire, Dolly Parton and more inside…
A galaxy of stars are contained within the new issue of Hot Press (out Thursday, July 24) and there might not be a bigger pop star on the planet right now than the man gracing its cover.
As Ed Sheeran sees his second album x become the fast-selling UK album of the year and storming charts over here and around the world, we meet the flame-haired songwriter for a conversation on falling in and out of love with music, big name collaborations with Pharrell and Rick Rubin and dealing with the pressures of fame.
Fresh from her Glastonbury appearance, Dolly Parton is also up for a chinwag. The Queen Of Country chats to HPs Edwin McFee about dance albums and doggie adoptions. She's also eager to dispel miming rumours and insist that she has no plans for retirement.
As the Manic Street Preachers deliver their second album in two years and sound as vital as ever, bassist Nicky Wire catches up with Craig Fitzpatrick to decry modern bands, champion Russell Brand and Morrissey – even if he doesn't agree with their politics – and discuss Futurology. Of course, with Wire (who is still eyeing up a non-existent Welsh presidency), that's only the tip of the iceberg.
As The Inbetweeners head for Oz in anther big screen outing, the cast talk on-set shenanigans and their decision to make a sequel to their first movie.
Elsewhere, Arcade Fire's Tim Kingsbury reflects on how "it's amazing that we are still a band and still the same people" 12 years after their formation and we interview Big September and more.
We also bring you the only guide you'll need to Indiependence, and in Frontlines speak to people who have experienced the horror in Gaza firsthand.
In Critical Mass, there are reviews of new offerings from the likes of Sinead O'Connor and First Aid Kit and we relive all the big Marlay Park shows of the summer thus far.
And that's just scratching the surface…
That's the new issue of Hot Press (Ed Sheeran cover), hitting shelves Thursday, July 25