Dermot Kennedy stars on the cover of the new issue of Hot Press – ahead of The Weight Of The Woods and his massive Aviva Stadium shows

With his eagerly anticipated new album out next month, and two massive Aviva Stadium shows lined up for July, it’s shaping up to be the summer of Dermot Kennedy – and we’re celebrating with a special new Hot Press cover, available to pre-order now!

Inspired by the forest behind his Rathcoole home, The Weight Of The Woods (out April 3) is our cover star’s most personal record yet. He talks to Stuart Clark about hanging out in Nashville, surviving pop stardom, man of the match performances at Old Trafford, Lana Del Rey, and a very special night in the 3Arena.

Credit: Silken Weinberg

Elsewhere in this unmissable new issue:

Crime drama mega-hit Peaky Blinders is back for a feature film outing, boasting an awesome soundtrack, including music from Fontaines D.C.. Roe McDermott hears from creator Steven Knight, plus stars Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan.

Electronic innovator James Blake tells Will Russell about creative freedom, post-label music economics, and the meticulous sonic architecture behind his latest record, the rather brilliant Trying Times.

Following a Fred again.. remix that’s clocked up 47 million Spotify streams, Irish drill pioneer Reggie is on the verge of a major international breakthrough. The Dundalk rapper discusses collaborating with David Keenan on his new single ‘El Paso (365)’, his hometown pride, and fusing drill and dance music.

Fred again.. and Reggie. Credit: Theo Batterham

With the release of their barnstorming debut Crystalpunk, techno-punk duo Chalk discuss their formative years in Belfast, creating their own genre, and not trying to force the artistic process.

From Irish indie horror to Hollywood monster-maker, Lee Cronin brings The Mummy back from the dead – and tells Roe McDermott all about it.

Danielle Galligan discusses the new Irish film Spilt Milk, the need for collective politics, and why Irish stories still matter.

Spilt Milk

Will Russell sits down with John Minihan – one of the most revered photographers of the modern era, who has photographed the likes of Van Morrison, Taste, Sinéad O’Connor, Seamus Heaney, Edna O’Brien and Samuel Beckett...

Plus: in our special Live Music Venues Feature, we're saluting some of the most outstanding spots to catch a gig in Ireland – from intimate, lore-rich rooms, to world-class, state-of-the-art arenas…

You can also look forward to insightful interviews with Westside Cowboy, Carrie Baxter, Madeleine Dunnigan, Rita Perry, the stars of The Seduction, and many, many more – in addition to all the must-read reviews, previews and news. So don't miss out!

Pre-order your copy of the new issue now: