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  • Labrinth Ignites the Cosmic Opera Era with New Single “IMPLOSION”
  • Lily Allen Returns with Her Biggest-Ever UK & Ireland Arena Tour — June 2026
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  • LIVE REVIEW: Bastille – Songs from The First 15 Years at The O2, London
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XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Labrinth
          News

          Labrinth Ignites the Cosmic Opera Era with New Single “IMPLOSION”

          November 20, 2025

          Visionary artist, producer, and composer Labrinth returns with “IMPLOSION,” a pulse-racing new single that marks the next chapter of his upcoming album, Cosmic Opera: Act I, arriving January 30 via Columbia Records. A thunderous blend […]

          Lily Allen
          News

          Lily Allen Returns with Her Biggest-Ever UK & Ireland Arena Tour — June 2026

          November 20, 2025

          The remarkable Lily Allen — whose acclaimed new album West End Girl has become a global sensation with over 150 million streams and a third consecutive Top 5 entry on the UK Albums Chart — […]

          KillerStar
          News

          KillerStar Return with New Album ‘The Afterglow’ — Hear Lead Single ‘So Easy’

          November 19, 2025

          After earning 4-star reviews from MOJO, The Times and RnR along with glowing comparisons to David Bowie, Suede and prime ‘70s art rock for their self-titled debut, KillerStar return with the release of their electrifying second album ‘The Afterglow’ on March 20th via High Wire Records. The band today […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: James – Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: James – Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of

          November 19, 2025

          For a band often frozen in the public imagination as ’90s indie heroes, James have spent over four decades proving they are far more than that label suggests. Formed in 1982, the Manchester group have […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Belair Lip Bombs – Again
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Belair Lip Bombs – Again

          November 10, 2025

          The Australian indie scene has long perfected the art of masking malaise behind sun-drenched, jangly guitar pop, and Melbourne’s The Belair Lip Bombs deliver a textbook example with their punchy second album, Again. Over ten […]

        • Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N - Esther Yi
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi

          October 30, 2023

          K-Pop has reached an international audience. This year, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-pop band to headline a major UK festival at Hyde Park. The media’s coverage of BTS member’s enlistment into compulsory military […]

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes

          August 29, 2023

          How does one become qualified to write a fictional music novel? The author of Sophomore Songs offers some clues. Growing up reading NME, doing a stint at Clash, drumming for several bands on and off, and […]

        • Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 25: Looking back at the orphan child in U2's discography 2
          Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 26: Looking back at the orphan child in U2’s discography

          March 3, 2022

          In March of 1997, 26 years ago, U2 released their much anticipated ninth studio album POP; for fans and critics alike, it quickly became their most polarizing release. There is a prevailing feeling that POP […]

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran 2
          Album Reviews

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran

          June 17, 2021

          This week sees the 40th anniversary of Duran Duran’s self-titled debut album. XS Noize looks back on this momentous release from a band that would become the ‘Fab Five’ of the ‘80s. It was December […]

        • Live Reviews

          Bastille
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Bastille – Songs from The First 15 Years at The O2, London

          November 19, 2025

          With three UK number-one albums, a string of major hits, and—impressively—their original core line-up still intact since forming in 2010, now seems the perfect moment for Bastille to take stock of everything they’ve built.  Their […]

          Levellers
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Levellers — Shepherds Bush Empire Zeitgeist 30th Anniversary Tour

          November 18, 2025

          When it comes to Levellers albums that fans rally behind, Levelling the Land often steals the spotlight. Its influence is unquestionable. But it’s far from the only record in their catalogue deserving anniversary treatment. This […]

        • Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018
          Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

          December 22, 2018

          2018 has been an incredible year for albums. The year saw the strongest new acts in decades release their debuts, as well as a number of alternative legends returning to top form. The world of dance […]

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP
          Round Up

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

          October 29, 2018

          Welcome to the October 2018 edition of our monthly new music playlist, which is available to listen to and watch via YouTube. If you enjoy any of the songs featured here, we encourage you to support […]

        • In Focus

          IN FOCUS// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square © Bernie McAllister
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square

          August 17, 2025

          Putting the Fast in Belfast 7 once again proved why it has become a staple of the city’s summer music calendar. A packed Custom House Square buzzed with anticipation as fans from across generations gathered […]

          IN FOCUS// Bryan Adams Brings Joy and Nostalgia to Leeds on ‘Roll With the Punches’ Tour Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Bryan Adams Brings Joy and Nostalgia to Leeds on ‘Roll With the Punches’ Tour

          May 20, 2025

          Legendary Canadian rocker Bryan Adams brought his unstoppable energy to Leeds on May 10th as part of his Roll With the Punches tour — and it was nothing short of a euphoric celebration of life, […]

  • Gigs
        • Hans Zimmer
          Gigs

          Hans Zimmer: The ultimate fan’s guide

          August 27, 2025

          Hans Zimmer, the genius behind Hollywood’s most unforgettable scores, is back on tour with an electrifying live experience to share with his fans. From “Inception” to “Dune”, Zimmer is preparing to transform his soundscapes into […]

          Andrea Bocelli
          Gigs

          The ultimate fans guide to seeing Andrea Bocelli in Amsterdam

          August 21, 2025

          The Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, will be at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on March 29 and 30, 2026. The show will feature a mix of operatic tracks, pop songs, and classical repertoire. Bocelli is […]

          Eros Ramazzotti
          Gigs

          Eros Ramazzotti: Dates, venues, tickets and more

          August 18, 2025

          To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his breakout single, “Una Storia Importante”, Eros Ramazzotti will be performing live on some of the grandest stages across Europe, Latin America, and North America. Ramazzotti is a world-renowned […]

  • Interviews
        • TAVE
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: TAVE Talks ‘Fly Away,’ Self-Discovery, and the Art of Letting Go

          November 11, 2025

          Rising artist TAVE has had an extraordinary journey — from earning a scholarship at just 13 and performing with some of music’s biggest names to now stepping into the spotlight with his deeply personal debut […]

          :Panic :Over
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: :Panic :Over Are Turning Northern Irish Indie Into a Global Sound

          October 16, 2025

          Neal McClelland meets the Northern Irish band whose anthemic sound is turning heads from Belfast to Tokyo. There’s something electric about catching a band right before liftoff — that mix of confidence, humour, and disbelief […]

          Fabrizio Cammarata
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Fabrizio Cammarata on Solitude, Connection, and the Inner Worlds of His New Album “Insularities”

          October 10, 2025

          Sicilian singer-songwriter Fabrizio Cammarata has returned with Insularities — a quietly profound exploration of connection, isolation, transformation, and memory. The record invites listeners into a space between light and shadow, where grief and love share […]

  • Podcast
        • Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals
          Podcast

          Roland Gift on 40 Years of Fine Young Cannibals & His New Christmas Single | XS Noize Podcast #259

          November 16, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Roland Gift — the iconic voice of Fine Young Cannibals and one of the most instantly recognisable singers in British music. With […]

          ALKY
          Podcast

          ALKY on breaking the cycle with debut album ‘Rinse & Repeat’ | XS Noize Podcast #258

          November 13, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by ALKY — the Dublin-born indie-rock artist and former Emmy-nominated audio engineer whose raw, heartfelt songwriting is making serious waves across Ireland’s indie […]

          The Charlatans
          Podcast

          Martin Blunt – The Charlatans: Inside new album ‘We Are Love’ | XS Noize Podcast #257

          November 9, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Martin Blunt — founding member and bassist of The Charlatans, one of Britain’s most enduring and beloved bands. From their breakthrough with […]

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Month: December 2023

XS Noize Albums of 2023
Reviews

XS Noize Albums of the Year 2023

December 27, 2023 XS Noize

In a year brimming with musical innovation and emotional resonance, the XS Noize 2023 Albums of the Year list reflects the diverse tapestry of sounds that have left an indelible mark on the music landscape. […]

Patrick Wolf
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Patrick Wolf at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney)

December 23, 2023 Michael Barron

With six LPs under his belt and having proved himself a master of rearrangements, Wolf, aka Patrick Denis Apps, had more than enough material to make his electro-pop folk and Baroque chamber music sound new […]

gaming
Features 2

The Thrill of Boxing Day: Betting and Gaming Galore

December 22, 2023 XS Noize

The festive season isn’t just about carols and mistletoe; for sports enthusiasts, Boxing Day ushers in a marathon of soccer matches and horse racing. It’s a day when fans gather, either around the television or […]

gaming
Features 2

The best sound system to support your gaming

December 22, 2023 XS Noize

A decent sound system can transform your gaming. Adding high-quality sound to your computer or laptop can add depth to the game environment – making it instantly more engaging and realistic. In many modern games, […]

Etacas
Exclusive!

TRACK PREMIERE: Etacas – Sin Eater

December 22, 2023 XS Noize

Etacas are UK duo Rob Reng and Jefferson Duke, and here they tell us about their new single, Sin Eater. How Was The Song Recorded (what was the process like, who was it recorded with, […]

Three Fields
News

Three Fields releases new single ‘Breeze’

December 22, 2023 XS Noize

Inspired by Jean-Michel Jarre, Moby, Vangelis, Ulrich Schnauss, and Tangerine Dream, and composing for over 20 years with six albums, Three Fields creates beautiful ambient/electronic music. Three Fields is producer Steven Hassell. He explains how […]

Smoke Fairies
Podcast

Unveiling the Mystique of ‘Carried in Sound’ with Smoke Fairies’ Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies

December 19, 2023 XS Noize

In episode #161 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies from Smoke Fairies to discuss their new album, “Carried In Sound.” Smoke Fairies is a project founded on friendship. […]

The Outcasts
Gigs

Good Vibrations Christmas Party this Saturday at The Limelight, Belfast feat: The Outcasts, Terri Hooley & more

December 19, 2023 XS Noize

In early 1977, a band of brothers became just that: a band. Sick of not being allowed into clubs – and getting barred from five in one week – because of how they looked, three […]

Jordan Mackampa
News

Jordan Mackampa announces headline show at Voodoo, Belfast, on Saturday 18th May 2024

December 19, 2023 XS Noize

Singer-songwriter Jordan Mackampa has announced a headline show at Voodoo, Belfast, on Saturday 18th May 2024. The news follows the recent announcement of the London-based artist’s sophomore album, ‘Welcome Home, Kid!’, which is scheduled to […]

Skinny Lister
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Skinny Lister at Lafayette, London

December 18, 2023 Michael Barron

For too long now, a trend has emerged where people pay no interest to the support act or acts opening the leading performer. Venues are often barely a third packed within the first half an […]

Ida Mae
Podcast

INTERVIEW: Harmonizing the Blues: An Intimate Conversation with Chris Turpin of Ida Mae

December 18, 2023 XS Noize

In episode #160 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Chris Turpin, one-half of British indie-blues-rock duo Ida Mae, to talk about their latest LP, “Thunder Above You.” Ida Mae is a husband and […]

Richard Ashcroft
Gigs

RICHARD ASHCROFT announces 2024 outdoor concert for London at Kew The Music

December 18, 2023 XS Noize

Richard Ashcroft has been added to the line-up for KEW THE MUSIC 2024, headlining the final show of the series taking place on Sunday, 14th July 2024. ​He joins the previously announced headliners for the […]

IN FOCUS// The Darkness at Rock City, Nottingham Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// The Darkness at Rock City, Nottingham

December 16, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

The Darkness visited Nottingham as a part of the 20th Anniversary of their Permission to Land tour. The gig was completely sold out, and Rock City was fully packed. The second they came on stage, […]

IN FOCUS// Lankum at the Roundhouse, London Credit: Denise Esposito
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Lankum at the Roundhouse, London

December 15, 2023 Denise Esposito

The Irish folk band Lankum performed a sold-out show at the Roundhouse London on Wednesday, 13th December 2023. The multi-instrumentalist Dublin quartet enchanted the crowd with an emotive live performance of timeless and haunting beauty. […]

Jockstrap
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Jockstrap at the Barbican Centre

December 15, 2023 Michael Barron

Having performed at Glastonbury and opened for Blur, Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye, being Guildhall School of Music graduates, were ready to take on the two-night Barbican Centre residency. Jockstrap, nominated for the Mercury Prize, […]

Steven Wilson
News

STEVEN WILSON releases ‘December Skies’ – a Christmas song written in collaboration with AI

December 15, 2023 XS Noize

Steven Wilson has recorded a Christmas song in collaboration with Chat GPT. Wilson wrote the music for “December Skies”, but Open AI’s language program completely generated the lyrics. Steven Wilson on December Skies: “Challenged by […]

Bangor Court House
News

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody honours Bangor Court House with major award

December 14, 2023 XS Noize

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody visited his hometown of Bangor today (Thursday, 14 December) to crown The Court House as the 2023 National Lottery Project of the Year. The non-profit music and arts venue on […]

the Australian Pink Floyd Show
Gigs

The Australian Pink Floyd Show returns to Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on 4th December 2024

December 14, 2023 XS Noize

Selling over 4 million tickets worldwide and described by The Times as “The Gold Standard” and The Daily Mirror as “The Kings of the Genre” ” the Australian Pink Floyd Show will return to Belfast’s […]

Unknown Territories
News

Manchester’s UNKNOWN TERRITORIES announce one-off show in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer

December 14, 2023 XS Noize

Manchester’s Unknown Territories will be playing a one-off show this weekend in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer. The show will feature Tom Hingley from Inspiral Carpets on vocals along with Esther Maylor from Heavy Salad, […]

Deniece Pearson
Podcast

INTERVIEW: A Festive Chat with Five Star’s Deniece Pearson on Her Enchanting Single ‘Santa Claus is Coming’

December 13, 2023 XS Noize

In episode #159 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets 80s legend Deniece Pearson, lead singer of the iconic pop group Five Star, to discuss her Christmas single ‘Santa Claus is Coming.’ Santa Claus […]

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