Twenty One Pilots front up the new issue of Dork, out Friday

There are big bands, and there are BIG bands. There’s a proverbial shed load of acts that can spew forth an impressive set of stats, sales figures and venues filled, but when it comes to the sharp end, much of that comes from less engaged, more casual fans. As a product, they’re consumed on a massive level, but how much do those listeners really care?

That’s not Twenty One Pilots. Not even close. In the league table of intense, passionate fanbases, TØP are definitely perennial contenders for big cup qualification. This summer, when they headline Reading & Leeds, they’ll match up perfectly with fellow scene-stealers and festival bill toppers The 1975. They’re both bands that matter.

So, obviously, we’re delighted to finally bring Tyler and Josh to the cover of Dork. Catching up with them while on tour in Russia, as this issue hits the streets they’ll be in the middle of a sold out Wembley Arena run. Those won’t be just another set of vanilla shows in a big shed, either. Twenty One Pilots are a BIG deal.

Elsewhere this month we've got a pair of absolute legends, Karen O & Danger Mouse, who have teamed up for a brand new album. Circa Waves are back, and they're not afraid of going big in their quest for world domination, while we're jammed to the rafters with hot new talent including Nilüfer Yanya, Anteros, Wallows and loads more.

There's also the fantastic Empress Of, the magnificent Lucy Rose, the environmentally aware Pondand long time Dork faves Jaws, all of whom you'll find interviewed this month. In Hype, we introduce the fizz-banging Chai, noisemakers Crows and Girl In Red, who isn't wearing red. Seems like a brand fail, that one - but she's brilliant all the same.

We're also down the front with Bastille, Maggie Rogers and Chvrches, have the Official Dork Verdicts on new albums from Foals, Sigrid and loads more, and have all the latest stuff you need to know nicely summarised in a print magazine, which is exactly where you go for your breaking news, right? Shut up.

The new issue of Dork hits the streets this Friday, 8th March, when you'll be able to pick up a copy from record stores, venues and retail outlets around the UK. Alternatively - and we'd really recommend this - if you want to be sure of getting a copy delivered direct to your door anywhere on the planet, you can pre-order one below, or subscribe and get every issue of Dork here.