NME to relaunch bimonthly print magazine

Global music publication NME will relaunch its print magazines, after discontinuing their production in 2018.

First launched in 1952 as a weekly music magazine, NME cemented itself at the forefront of the music industry. The UK-based publication, whose name stands for New Musical Express, helped achieve worldwide fame for iconic acts such as Blur, Oasis, the Rolling Stones and Dublin's iconic U2, alongside many others.

The printed editions of the magazine were stopped in 2018 after the brand decided to rebrand as a solely online publication. Five years later, they've returned to print, with a limited number of new issues released every two months.

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The return of NME's printed magazines signals a positive change in a media landscape in which printed publications have become increasingly rare. Hot Press magazine has released print editions since its inception in 1977. It remains the leading Irish magazine focused on music still in print, despite music news' transition into the digital age, and new issues are released every month.

This announcement proves that NME shares Hot Press' belief in print magazines.

“Print has always been a cornerstone of the NME brand, and we are thrilled to announce the return of an icon,” announced NME COO Holly Bishop. She emphasised their goal of championing emerging artists and bands and declared that the newest iteration of the magazine "will curate the very best of NME."

The July/August NME issue will be available for order at Dawson's music retailer from 9 August.

You can also check out Hot Press' most recent print issue, a triple feature featuring Blur, Christy Dignam and the Women's World Cup, here.