With a summer of brilliant new albums, festivals and major headline shows just around the corner, we've decided to celebrate – and bring you a special dual-cover edition of Hot Press, starring two famous four-pieces from opposite sides of the Atlantic: Kings of Leon and Picture This...

As the countdown to Kings Of Leon's big Marlay Park show continues, Nathan and Matthew Followill talk to Stuart Clark about wild Irish nights, U2 in the Sphere, Taylor Swift, knocking Bob Dylan's hat off and veering into new territory with their Can We Please Have Fun album.

Picture This, meanwhile, are back with Parked Car Conversations, featuring some of their most confessional songs yet. Mental health, steamy windows, love, babies, family, and footie all up for discussion as they sit down with Hot Press...

As if two covers weren't enough to handle, this riveting issue also features a special flip-cover – celebrating the upcoming release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Roe McDermott meets stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, while Paul Nolan goes on a deep-dive into the enduring appeal of the Mad Max franchise.

Elsewhere in the issue...

We offer a special preview of this summer's hottest outdoor shows and day festivals – including all the action at Musgrave Park, St Anne's Park, Malahide Castle, Marlay Park, Trinity College Dublin, Fairview Park, and more...

As Villagers return with their powerful new album That Golden Time, Conor O'Brien shares his reflections on the internet age, original sin, Sinéad O’Connor, and the band’s biggest headline show to date, at Trinity College Dublin...

Villagers, Photo Credit: Andrew Whitton

Ahead of her second album Come As You Are, Niamh Regan opens up about self-doubt, working with producer and Villagers' alum Tommy McLaughlin, and making peace with herself.

Nell Mescal talks to Niamh Browne about her compelling new EP, Can I Miss It For A Minute?

With housing as his central concern, academic and author Rory Hearne is aiming to secure a seat at the upcoming European elections. He offers his forthright views on the government, the far right, Joe Biden, Ukraine and Gaza.

With smash-hit Cork comedy The Young Offenders back on screens, star Alex Murphy talks new stepdads, weaselly Gavin Madigan, Fake Fake Billy, maggots in underpants, rotting tunas and more...

As they release their eponymous debut album, folk duo Lemoncello discuss Adrianne Lenker, friendship, politics and mothers...

Lemoncello. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Celebrating his debut art exhibition in London, Scott Gorham discusses artistic creation, his early days in Thin Lizzy, and the making of the legendary ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’...

From early roles in Game Of Thrones and Harry Potter to recent roles in smash hit series like Masters Of The Air and Manhunt, West Belfast actor Anthony Boyle tells us where it’s all gone right...

Having established himself at the forefront of a bold new wave of alternative voices in Irish hip-hop, Tallaght rapper Curtisy sits down to discuss his long awaited debut album, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION...

Curtisy. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Minister for European Affairs Jennifer Carroll MacNeill talks to Jason O'Toole about threats to politicians, Russian cyber-attacks, following Guns N' Roses, singing with Aslan, porn, and discrimination against women...

And that really is just for starters! There's many more interviews, reviews, news and previews to look forward to in the new issue, so don't miss out! Pre-order your copy of the new issue now...