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  • Remember Monday Bring Back the Girl Band Glory with New Single ‘More Than Ever’
  • INTERVIEW: Fabrizio Cammarata on Solitude, Connection, and the Inner Worlds of His New Album “Insularities”
  • Ocean Colour Scene Announce “Moseley Shoals” 30th Anniversary Tour for 2026
  • Ultravox Announce Deluxe Edition Box Set of 1984 Compilation “The Collection” — Out 5 December
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  • News
        • Remember Monday
          News

          Remember Monday Bring Back the Girl Band Glory with New Single ‘More Than Ever’

          October 10, 2025

          Remember the big voices, bigger tunes and sheer unstoppable fun of the girl band era? That’s something that Remember Monday are bringing back with a bang, mixing up mega pop hooks and pure country emotion. […]

          Ocean Colour Scene
          News

          Ocean Colour Scene Announce “Moseley Shoals” 30th Anniversary Tour for 2026

          October 10, 2025

          Indie-rock legends Ocean Colour Scene have announced a major UK tour for 2026, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their classic album Moseley Shoals. The 13-date tour will start at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on 21st November […]

          Ultravox
          News

          Ultravox Announce Deluxe Edition Box Set of 1984 Compilation “The Collection” — Out 5 December

          October 9, 2025

          Following the success in recent years of deluxe editions of Ultravox’s Vienna, Rage In Eden Quartet and Lament albums, on 5 December, Chrysalis Records will release a Deluxe Edition box set of The Collection, the […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Ash - Ad Astra
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Ash – Ad Astra

          October 3, 2025

          Perennial 90’s power-pop heroes Ash return this autumn with their ninth studio album, Ad Astra. Now well into their fourth decade together, Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray continue to show that their knack […]

          Idlewild
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Idlewild – ‘Idlewild’

          October 3, 2025

          The band’s tenth album is their first self-titled release, and it just so happens to be a collection of songs that reflects their majestic, melodic beauty. For a band to reach a tenth record is […]

        • 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

          LIVE REVIEW: Baroness Pay Tribute with Emotional Red & Blue Sets in Los Angeles Credit: Triffin Constantine
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Baroness Pay Tribute with Emotional Red & Blue Sets in Los Angeles

          September 22, 2025

          Sludge, prog, and post-metal band Baroness played an emotional set at Lodge Room in the Highland Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Saturday, September 20th. The night was one of remembrance, playing their first two […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Pendulum Celebrate "Inertia" with High-Energy London Launch Show Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Pendulum Celebrate “Inertia” with High-Energy London Launch Show

          September 10, 2025

          To mark the release of their new album Inertia, Pendulum’s Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen brought an electrifying DJ set to HERE at Outernet in London on September 5th. The Australian outfit has long been […]

        • 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
        • 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 […]

          Asha Maclean
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Asha Maclean on Her Single “Yoga,” Creative Roots, and Staying True to Herself

          June 25, 2025

          Asha Maclean grew up in a deeply creative household, so it’s little surprise that she emerged as a multitalented artist in her own right. Immersed in music and dance from a young age, she first […]

          DURAN DURAN
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Roger Taylor on the Rhythm of Duran Duran: Hits, Influences & Life on the Road

          June 19, 2025

          John Kearns talks to Duran Duran –  The Duran Duran European summer tour is now in full swing. The DD truck has already rolled into cities such as Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rome and will continue […]

  • Podcast
        • Moon Panda
          Podcasts

          Inside Moon Panda’s Dreamy New Album “Dumb Luck” | XS Noize Podcast #249

          October 7, 2025

          In this episode, #249 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Maddy Myers and Gustav Moltke from the Californian-Danish dream-pop collective Moon Panda to discuss their stunning third album, Dumb Luck — […]

          Rick McMurray on Ash’s 30-Year Journey and the Rocket-Fuel of "Ad Astra" | XS Noize Podcast #248
          Podcasts

          Rick McMurray on Ash’s 30-Year Journey and the Rocket-Fuel of “Ad Astra” | XS Noize Podcast #248

          October 1, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Rick McMurray looks back on 30 years of Ash and the rocket-fuel energy behind their new album Ad Astra. From teenage beginnings in Downpatrick to global stages, […]

          The Jacques
          Podcasts

          Finn O’Brien on The Jacques’ New Album “Make Repetition!” | XS Noize Podcast #247

          September 28, 2025

          Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | YouTube “Will would be proud of us, and he’d never have wanted his loss to stop us doing what we love.” — Finn O’Brien, […]

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Articles by Alex Hoggard

Xsnoize Author
Alex Hoggard
Having started about music by reviewing live performances for Pearl Jam fansites, led to writing for the band's official website which led to writing gig and album reviews for a number of music sites and local newspapers. Enjoying an eclectic taste in genres has been found to relieve the stresses of following Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC!Favourite bands/artists include; Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Brad, The Levellers, Stone Roses, Oasis, Harvey Danger, London Grammar, Ride & Manic Street Preachers to name but a few! Favourite album: Yield - Pearl Jam.
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Big Joanie - Back Home
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Big Joanie – Back Home

November 6, 2022 Alex Hoggard

In 2018, Thurston Moore started his independent label Daydream Library Series solely to release Big Joanie’s critically acclaimed debut album Sistahs. Since then, the black feminist punk band have become known for their passionate live performances […]

Andy Bell – The Grounding Process 
Album Reviews

REVIEW: Andy Bell – The Grounding Process EP

November 4, 2022 Alex Hoggard

In February, Andy Bell released his second solo album Flicker to great acclaim. The 18-track double album was written almost as a conversation with his younger self, reflecting on the past while looking to the future and […]

Arctic Monkeys – The Car
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Arctic Monkeys – The Car

October 26, 2022 Alex Hoggard

It is difficult to believe that the album that shot Arctic Monkeys into the limelight, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, was released sixteen years ago. At the time of its release, […]

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Return of the Dream Canteen 
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Return of the Dream Canteen 

October 21, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Just six months after the release of their twelfth studio album, the lengthy Unlimited Love, the Red Hot Chili Peppers return with their thirteenth effort, the equally extensive Return of the Dream Canteen. The latest offering was […]

The Cult – Under The Midnight Sun
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Cult – Under The Midnight Sun

October 7, 2022 Alex Hoggard

While walking the grounds of the Provinssirock Festival, Ian Astbury found himself taking in the surreal experience of the ‘midnight sun’ during the summer months when the sun doesn’t set north of the Arctic Circle. […]

tim burgess
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Tim Burgess – Typical Music 

September 22, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Having enjoyed a thirty-two-year career, it’s entirely plausible to think that Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess may have exhausted the limits of his creative brain cells. Yet, if the last two years are to go by, […]

Parkway Drive
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Parkway Drive – Darker Still

September 8, 2022 Alex Hoggard

One of the key concepts behind Parkway Drive’s latest offering, Darker Still, is a Tom Waits quote that emblazons frontman Winston McCall’s refrigerator in his Byron Bay home; “I want beautiful melodies telling me terrible […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Painted Shield – Painted Shield 2
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Painted Shield – Painted Shield 2

May 27, 2022 Alex Hoggard

The Pandemic caused many established bands to rethink and adjust their writing and recording process to continue producing music. While in-person sessions were off the cards, modern technology allowed musicians to produce records without meeting. […]

FONTAINES D.C. announce their third album 'Skinty Fia' to be released on 22nd April 2
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia 

April 19, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Since Fontaines D.C. formed in Dublin in 2017, the five-piece have found widespread critical-acclaim, firstly through debut album Dogrel in 2019, before receiving a nomination for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards for 2020’s A Hero’s Death. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Unlimited Love
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Unlimited Love

April 6, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Nearly 40 years into their career, the twelfth studio album Unlimited Love sees the Red Hot Chili Peppers once again hone their trademark funk-rock sound. With guitarist John Frusciante rejoining the band, it sees what many […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Feeder - Torpedo
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Feeder – Torpedo

March 13, 2022 Alex Hoggard

In the lead up to 2020 Feeder were on something of a roll – 2017 saw the release of the bumper compilation The Best of Feeder, which reached number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, and […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Dashboard Confessional – All The Truth I Can Tell
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Dashboard Confessional – All The Truth I Can Tell

March 1, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Having been involved in a serious motorcycling accident in 2020, few could lament Chris Carrabba for being in a reflective mood. The Dashboard Confessional frontman has seen himself become a mainstay of the emo-pop genre, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Eddie Vedder - Earthling
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Eddie Vedder – Earthling

February 10, 2022 Alex Hoggard

As such an intrinsic part of Pearl Jam, it is often difficult to think of Eddie Vedder as a solo artist. Indeed, his solo discography is not the largest, with two soundtrack recordings and 2011’s […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Andy Bell – Flicker
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Andy Bell – Flicker

February 6, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Although for many, it may have felt as though the world has been put on pause over the past couple of years, Ride’s Andy Bell has been a busy man; having made a successful debut […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Eels – Extreme Witchcraft
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Eels – Extreme Witchcraft

February 1, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Now into the fourth decade of recording with Eels, Mark Oliver Everett, often known as ‘E’, has built up a reputation for consistency in creating dependable rock records. Extreme Witchcraft is the fourteenth studio album […]

ALBUM REVIEW: alt-J – The Dream
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: alt-J – The Dream

January 30, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Ten years ago, alt-J shot to prominence with their Mercury Prize-winning debut album, An Awesome Wave, which laid the foundations for garnering an international following that has seen the band perform sell-out shows at venues […]

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