Culture
20 Jul 20

Q magazine to close

The magazine's 34-year run is coming to an end due to Covid-19

The very sad news from London is that Q, which has been fighting the good fight across the water since 1986, is closing down due to the drop in sales and advertising experienced during the ongoing pandemic. Their last issue will hit the stands on July 28, leaving a massive void. Team Hot Press sends it condolences to all the staff who have lost their jobs.
Down through the years, we'd have met many of their writers on various press tips and, without exception, they were a warm, friendly bunch who really knew their music. Their Editor-In-Chief for a while was Barry McIlheney, a former Hot Press-er from Belfast who ventured south in the 1970's to study at Trinity College. More recently, another HP alumni, Hannah Hamilton, had her own eco-flavoured column in the magazine.
During the British music monthly glory days, we'd buy Q, Select and Vox, and read ourselves silly. Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, Jack Monroe, Caitlin Moran, Baxter Dury and Ed Harcourt are just a handful of the well-known names mourning its passing this afternoon.

I have some bad news about @QMagazine. The issue that comes out on July 28 will be our last. The pandemic did for us and there was nothing more to it than that. I have attached our final cover and my editor’s letter for context.
On the plus side, we’re all available for work. pic.twitter.com/rm8qOcUBtB

— Ted Kessler (@TedKessler1) July 20, 2020

Sorry to hear this Ted, will miss my monthly Q. Good luck going forward. X

— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) July 20, 2020

So sorry to hear this Ted, Q was the only magazine I’ve bought with any regularity in my weird life and I’m gutted for you and the whole team. I hope she rises again one day. With love. X

— Jack Monroe (@BootstrapCook) July 20, 2020

Ted I'm so, so sorry. You couldn't have made a better magazine, and it's shit the world is one in which it couldn't work any more. All my love xxxx

— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) July 20, 2020