In the new issue: KNEECAP star on the cover of Hot Press following the chart-topping success of FENIAN

Following the chaos, challenges, and "circus of distractions" of the past year, KNEECAP are back – with the Belfast trio delving into both the political and the personal on their powerful, chart-topping new album, FENIAN. To celebrate, we're bringing you a special Hot Press cover, available to pre-order now...

Ahead of another massive international festival season, DJ Próvaí sits down with Lucy O'Toole to talk Keir Starmer, mental health, court cases, and the burgeoning strength of Irish music.

“You have your whole life to write your first album, and you’ve got a year to write your second," the tricolour-headed DJ tells us. "But luckily enough for us, we weren’t short of subject matter...”

Kneecap at 3Arena on December 16th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Elsewhere in the new issue:

As indie-pop maestros Bleachers return with the brilliant Everyone For Ten Minutes, frontman and super-producer Jack Antonoff talks to Paul Nolan about the record’s creation, life in the public eye and The Sopranos. Plus he chats about his work with icons Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Lana Del Rey.

Mick Flannery talks to Will Russell about The House Must Win, a double album that traces the full emotional arc of his recent acclaimed stage production – a work more than two decades in the making.

Mick Flannery. Credit: Susie Conroy

Having been caught up in a major payments scandal that rocked RTÉ a few years ago, Ryan Tubridy has emerged with fresh perspective and a new books podcast. He reflects on that extraordinary furore, his family's political background, his recent marriage, and how he's benefitted from therapy.

As the world of Star Wars makes its big-screen return with the rip-roaring The Mandalorian And Grogu, we meet the stars of the hotly anticipated movie, Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver.

Violet Grohl chats to Riccardo Dwyer about her cracking debut album Be Sweet To Me, '90s rock influences, and recording with a cast of "wrecking crew" musicians.

A year on from the release of their lauded Salt Of The Lee EP, we hear from Cork four-piece Cliffords as they gear up for a massive festival season – from their Beyond The Pale debut, to support slots for Mumford & Sons, Florence + The Machine and Wolf Alice.

Cliffords. Credit: Emalea Jones

As Lemoncello return with their boundary-pushing second album, Perfect Place, the Dublin-based duo talk dissonance, creativity, and drawing inspiration from Mitski, Joni Mitchell and Joanna Newsom.

Séamas O’Reilly discusses his brilliant debut novel Prestige Drama, the changing face of social media, and interviewing legendary satirist Chris Morris.

You can also look forward to interviews with TRAD's director Lance Daly and star Megan Nic Fhionnghaile, Mary Ocher, Bleech 9:3, Theatre, and many more – plus our Summer Drinks Special...

Bleech 9:3. Credit: Frazer McGoldrick

So don't miss out! The new issue of Hot Press is en route to shops now, and can be pre-ordered online below: