Dea Matrona and Therapy? to feature on 'Rave On, Van Morrison' tonight

Following stunning performances on 'Rave On, Van Morrison' last night, tonight (Saturday) we're bringing you two special, back-to-back covers of 'Gloria' – from Dea Matrona and Therapy?.

Why two versions of Gloria? Because it was – as Van Morrison explains to Hot Press editor Niall Stokes in the exclusive interview in the current 'Van Morrison Special Issue' of Hot Press – it was just the second song that Van the Man ever wrote. And it went on to become a garage band classic, recorded and played by hundreds of bands and artists, including some of the biggest names in music history including The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Patti Smith and U2. So it is a very special song that deserves the Rolls Royce treatment – and that's what it gets, as we mount a Special Gloria-Only Night on Rave On, Van Morrison.

The two bands deliver very different versions indeed – which will both, in their different ways, add to the mythology surrounding what is already regarded as one of the indisputably great garage band classics.

Hailing from Belfast, rock trio Dea Matrona have captured the hearts of audiences across Ireland and beyond with their hard-hitting sound, brilliant musicianship and infectious enthusiasm. As well as finding viral success with their Fleetwood Mac covers, they've released a string of acclaimed original tracks – including their latest single, 'Make You My Star'.

Originally formed in 1989, Therapy? built up a reputation in the '90s for their powerful grunge-driven, hard rock sound. Over the course of their remarkable – and hugely successful – career, the band have sold over two million albums worldwide – releasing their most recent album, Cleave, in 2018.

Dea Matrona (7pm Irish Standard Time) and Therapy?'s (8pm) performances of 'Gloria' premiere tonight, September 5, on the Hot Press YouTube channel.

Over the course of the Hot Press YouTube event, celebrating Van Morrison's 75th birthday, you can expect even more renditions of his remarkable songs from some of the most iconic names in music in this country.

The schedule for the upcoming performances on 'Rave On, Van Morrison' is as follows:

• Sat Sept 5, Dea Matrona Gloria (7pm); Therapy? Gloria (8pm)
• Sun Sept, 6, Jealous Of The Birds Saint Dominic's Preview (7pm); Kaz Hawkins Full Force Gale

Each 'Rave On, Van Morrison' performance premieres every night on theHot Press YouTube channel. To make sure you don't miss out on any of our upcoming videos, subscribe to our YouTube here!

As already mentioned, Hot Press has published a Van Morrison Special Issue, to coincide with ‘Rave On, Van Morrison’, featuring written contributions from the legendary likes of Hozier, Sinéad O’Connor, Gary Lightbody, Damien Dempsey, Imelda May and Damien Rice, as well as special homages from international artists Brandon Flowers, Steve Van Zandt and Matt Berninger. In addition, you'll find the highlights of our recent exclusive interview with Van – who discusses the Belfast he grew up in, ‘Gloria’, Jim Morrison, Lenny Bruce, the real inspiration for Astral Weeks and his extraordinary work as a songwriter.

This historic publication is a must-have for Van Morrison fans all over the world, and is available to order now.