We're thrilled to present the exhilarating 45th anniversary issue of Hot Press – charting some of the most pivotal happenings in Irish and international music since the dawn of the magazine in 1977, with a special cover featuring the iconic artists who have not only graced our pages, but have soundtracked the lives of multiple generations.

To honour the magical mystery tour we’ve all enjoyed in Irish music since, we revisit a world that spun magnificently and intoxicatingly at 45rpm. We take readers on an extraordinary trip through the intervening years via the music that was our soundtrack – and yours – and the social and political changes we helped to drive.

Elsewhere in the issue:

Grunge-pop star beabadoobee on her cracking new album Beatopia, meeting Taylor Swift, and her friendship with The 1975’s Matty Healy...

Fans have been hooked on Gavin James’ confessional pop since he was first championed by Hot Press. With his latest album, the Dublin singer is poised to go truly international. He talks lockdown blues, a deserted Temple Bar and rocking the Wankdorf stadium...

Abbey Theatre co-directors Caitriona McLaughlin and Mark O’Brien talk to Paul Nolan about recent controversies, creating a new vision for Irish theatre, problematic plays, social media, funding and plenty more besides.

Horslips are marking a major anniversary of their own this year – having first established themselves as one of the most groundbreaking and authoritative forces in Irish music 50 years ago. As they get set to release a special anniversary box set, Jim Lockhart reflects on the band's roots in Dublin's countercultural scene, and Irish music's thrilling developments in the decades since...

With a string of major shows under their belt already this year, Kodaline’s Mark Prendergast discusses the state of Irish music, working with Gavin James and James Vincent McMorrow, and the Dublin band's upcoming live album, Our Roots Run Deep...

Pat Carty speaks to both frontman John Lydon and guitarist Steve Jones about their differing views on how The Sex Pistols' legacy is being handled, and their joint pride in what they achieved...

Currently running in the Olympia, Conor McPherson's Girl From The North Country is the first play that Bob Dylan has allowed his music to be used in. The Irish playwright tells us about the pressure of living up to those classic songs...

Script man Glen Power talks about being back on the road, making music with his son Luke, and his role in hooking Journey legend Steve Perry up with The High Kings...

Inside the pages of this unique issue, you'll find interviews with and contributions from some of most phenomenal talents from these shores and beyond, including Cait O’Riordan, Paolo Nutini, Chameleon, Chris Blackwell, Gemma Hayes, Steve Wall, Therapy?’s Andy Cairns, Conor McPherson, Aingeala Flannery, and more...

Plus – a special feature on Forever Young! Our in-depth coverage of the upcoming festival includes interviews with In Tua Nua's Leslie Dowdall, T'Pau's Carol Decker, Nik Kershaw and much more.

And there's much more to sink your teeth into in this special 45th birthday issue of Hot Press – so don't miss out! Order online below: