In the new issue: The Pogues star on the cover of Hot Press ahead of special exhibition

The extraordinary world of Shane MacGowan and The Pogues is explored in the new issue of Hot Press – an issue that, by poignant coincidence, was released in shops the very morning that the legendary singer and songwriter died, aged 65.

With The Pogues featuring as the cover stars, the magazine features original, in-depth contributions and reflections from some of the people that knew Shane best, including his sister, Siobhan MacGowan, and fellow founding member of The Pogues, Jem Finer – as well as Nick Cave, Damien Dempsey, The Mary Wallopers, Steve Lillywhite, and Johnny Cronin.

The cover story coincides with the launch of a new Pogues exhibition – the Hot Press-curated 'They Gave The Walls A Talking: The Extraordinary Story of The Pogues and Shane MacGowan' – at Dublin's EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, kicking off this month.

When we started into the project three months ago, we anticipated that the great Irish song-poet would enjoy sharing in the warmth and appreciation expressed by one and all for him, his band-mates and his work. Sadly, this has become our official goodbye to one the man described in its pages by Nick Cave as the greatest songwriter of his generation...

Shane MacGowan at Christmas Rocks at Dublin's Olympia Theatre, December 1989

This month's issue is a flip-cover affair – with our other special cover celebrating the release of the hotly anticipated blockbuster Wonka.

Neil Hannon was the man charged with supplying the original songs for Wonka, the origin story that’s coming your way in time for Christmas. Steampunk vibes, putting words into Timothée Chalamet’s mouth, superstar Oompa-Loompas, Band Aid and exploding fingers are all up for discussion as the Divine Comedy mainman talks to a wide-eyed Stuart Clark. Plus, cast members on why Wonka's a Christmas cracker!

Two years on from his critically acclaimed debut album, John Francis Flynn returns with his sophomore album Look Over The Wall, See The Sky. He discusses Dublin, Paddywhackery and what trad music means to him.

In town to perform two sold-out gigs at Dublin's 3Olympia, The Streets' Mike Skinner talks about his new album, his debut feature film, and the abiding influence of Raymond Chandler.

Kiera Dignam drops into the Hot Press office to discuss embracing her new album's tongue-in-cheek title; performing with Imelda May; and paying tribute to her father, Aslan's Christy Dignam, at Dalymount Park.

Choice Music Prize-nominated rapper Nealo reflects on Irish hip-hop, mental health struggles, the Church, injustice, and the tough times that shaped his new album, November Medicine.

Not content with producing the A-List likes of Noel Gallagher and Sinéad O’Connor, David Holmes has released a new album, Blind On A Galloping Horse, which isn’t afraid to confront the world’s ills head on. In a similarly zero punches pulled interview, Holmer draws parallels between Gaza and Troubles-era Northern Ireland and talks Andrew Weatherall, Lyra McKee, Van Morrison, Eric Cantona – and lots more...

Following catastrophic violence and loss of life in Gaza, Irish-Palestinian singer-songwriter Roisin El Cherif reflects on her own family’s story of displacement, as well as the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza: “What’s keeping me going is believing that humanity will prevail…”

Plus – interviews with Brian Cox, PJ Gallagher, Katy J Pearson, Steo Wall, Thomas Walsh, Brian Kennedy, Paul Charles, Saltburn writer/director Emerald Fennell, Terry Hayes, and more...

We're also thrilled to present our 2023 Christmas Gift Guide – featuring with every kind of present, from perfume to socks, scarves to music gifts, wall art to outdoorsy bits...

And that's just for starters... Pick up a copy of the new issue of Hot Press in shops now, or order online below...