The wait is over – the new issue of Hot Press, featuring cover star Dermot Kennedy, and the big reveal of the Readers' Poll, is finally here!

Although we couldn’t blame anyone for wanting to keep 2020 firmly in their rearview, there’s no denying that the past year also gave rise to some phenomenal music and entertainment – offering glimmers of hope and joy in the midst of chaos. After one of the most competitive years in the history of the Hot Press Readers’ Poll, the results highlight the dazzling diversity of Irish music right now – with Dermot Kennedy, Denise Chaila, Fontaines D.C., Dea Matrona, The Coronas, Niall Horan, Bicep, Pillow Queens and Hozier among those who polled very well indeed...

With the Readers Poll as backdrop – sorry, you're going to have to wait for the results! – we sat down for an in-depth interview with Dermot Kennedy, a year-and-a-half after the release of his chart-topping debut album, Without Fear. From his current base in LA, he discusses the state of Irish music (with special shout-outs to Tolü Makay, For Those I Love, Hozier and Mick Flannery); hanging out with CNN’s Donie; joining forces with Paul Mescal; looking up to Roy Keane; fate; mental health; and that all-important Album No.2...

Elsewhere in the issue:

Hazel Chu becoming Lord Mayor of Dublin has infuriated Ireland’s far-right whose racism and misogyny she’s called out. Drugs, prostitution, the church, social media abuse, Sinn Féin, policing, your right to party and the battle for the soul of the Green Party are also up for discussion, as she sits down over Zoom with Stuart Clark...

Not content with being a radio and TV A-Lister, Laura Whitmore has now added ‘author’ to her powerful list of achievements. Heroes, zeroes, social media, press intrusion, imposter syndrome, well-known friends and impending motherhood are all discussed, as she talks to Stuart Clark...

Ahead of the release of London Grammar’s third album, Californian Soil, Hannah Reid opens up about feminism, overcoming her fears, the ups and downs of touring, and falling in and out of love with America...

Father-and-son duo Femi and Made Kuti discuss their stunning new project Legacy+, political protest, legendary Lagos venue The Shrine, and Fela Kuti’s influence on Beyoncé, Jay-Z, James Brown and Paul McCartney...

The release of her debut novel, Acts of Desperation, has marked Megan Nolan as Ireland’s newest literary heavy hitter – while also sparking crucial conversations about consent, gender roles and toxic relationships. The Waterford-born writer talks music, pandemic-induced puritanism, and the emotional toll of writing her best-selling book...

Having just dropped his cracking second album, Evering Road, indie-pop sensation Tom Grennan talks about his family roots in the Irish midlands, as well as discussing Tony Soprano, Roy Keane, the Britney Spears doc and bingeing on The Wire...

With the release of her third album, Little Oblivions, Julien Baker has once again established herself as one of the most compelling and expressive young songwriters of her generation. She opens up about her punk roots; searching for escapism in God and substance abuse; and how working with Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus in boygenius inspired her to take bold new risks with her sound...

Tipped as one of the Hot Press 'Hot For 2021' Irish Acts, Lenii discusses her viral hit 'White Lie', and channelling past mental health struggles into a powerful debut album – out later this year...

Europe has been declared an 'LGBTQI Freedom Zone' – but the reality on the ground in places like Poland and Hungary involves a very different story. In this issue's Frontlines, Shamim Malekmian talks to art activist Bart Staszewski – facing into an uncertain future in Poland – and and Rémy Bonny. "I want to fight," Staszewski says. The hope is that he won't end up behind bars in the process...

We also have all the news, previews and reviews you’d expect from Hot Press, including reviews of the latest releases from For Those I Love, John Spillane, Tune-Yards, serpentwithfeet, London Grammar and more!

So Don't miss out! Pick up your copy of the new issue of Hot Press in shops now – or order online below: