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  • Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, announces Belfast show
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta – Cut A Silhouette
  • Inspiral Carpets announce ‘Burn Like The Sun’ – their first studio album in 12 years
  • Faithless Announce Special Guests For CHSq Belfast Show With Phil Hartnoll, Justin Robertson & Marion Hawkes
  • American hard rock band Clutch announce Belfast show at Telegraph Building
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Julian Marley
          News

          Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, announces Belfast show

          May 29, 2026

          Born in London, England on June 4, 1975, Julian Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Barbados-born Lucy Pounder. Growing up as a youth in a musical atmosphere, the Grammy Award Nominated […]

          Inspiral Carpets
          News

          Inspiral Carpets announce ‘Burn Like The Sun’ – their first studio album in 12 years

          May 29, 2026

          Inspiral Carpets announce Burn Like The Sun – their first studio album in 12 years, out January 29th, 2027 via Scruff of the Neck Records. The band have unveiled a special announcement video, narrated by […]

          Faithless
          News

          Faithless Announce Special Guests For CHSq Belfast Show With Phil Hartnoll, Justin Robertson & Marion Hawkes

          May 28, 2026

          Dance pioneers Faithless are back with their biggest Belfast headline show to date at Custom House Square on Thursday 20th August 2026, alongside very special guests, Phil Hartnoll (Orbital), Justin Robertson and Marion Hawkes. Few […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta - Cut A Silhouette
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta – Cut A Silhouette

          May 29, 2026

          Having spent two decades parsing the shifting sands of alternative rock, it takes something genuinely striking to cut through the noise. Enter Sparta’s latest offering, Cut A Silhouette. Spanning ten tracks across an urgent 33 […]

          Mull Historical Society
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Mull Historical Society – In My Mind There’s a Photograph

          May 26, 2026

          For Mull Historical Society’s last album, Colin MacIntyre — who is, in essence, Mull Historical Society — invited acclaimed authors to write lyrics for his musical compositions. The result was 2023’s In My Mind There’s […]

        • 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

          Lone Assembly
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Lone Assembly bring dark synthpop and post-punk atmosphere to London’s MOTH Club

          May 27, 2026

          When a proposed property development threatened the future of the 300-capacity MOTH Club, the support to save it far exceeded the venue’s maximum attendance. Around 30,000 people signed a petition to protect the much-loved Hackney […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance

          May 14, 2026

          Kiefer Sutherland may be known across the world as an actor and producer, but on stage at Union Chapel, that part of his life felt almost beside the point. With his fourth album, Grey, due […]

        • 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: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer) Credit: Marc Leach
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer)

          April 5, 2026

          As Storm Dave closed in on Northern Ireland, another storm was already gathering. Inside Limelight 2, Belfast, local metal titans Survivalist unleashed thunder of their own — a fitting backdrop for the release of their […]

          IN FOCUS// Ash ignite La Scala with career-spanning London show Credit: Denise Esposito
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Ash ignite La Scala with career-spanning London show

          February 6, 2026

          On 3 February, Ash returned to La Scala for a blistering, high-energy London show. Packed wall to wall, the venue buzzed as the trio tore through a career-spanning set, seamlessly weaving in new material from […]

  • Gigs
        • December 10
          Gigs

          December 10 announce Ulster Hall, Belfast show for July 20th 2026

          April 2, 2026

          Britain’s brand-new boyband December 10 today announce December 10: The Next Step– kicking off in Edinburgh on Friday 10 July and wrapping in Dublin on Tuesday 21 July. “We loved our Introducing! run of shows […]

          White Denim
          Gigs

          White Denim set for Belfast return with Limelight 2 headline show on August 27th 2026

          March 30, 2026

          Formed in 2006, for approaching 20 years White Denim has been celebrated for their fearless blend of garage rock, soul, jazz fusion, psychedelia, and experimental improvisation. Based for much of that time in Austin, though […]

          Tom Jones
          Gigs

          Tom Jones to Play Dublin & Belfast Headline Shows This August 2026

          March 30, 2026

          Legendary Welsh singer and performer Tom Jones has announced a return to Ireland with a headline show within the idyllic grounds of Palmerstown House Estate, just 20 minutes from Dublin City Centre on Sunday 09th […]

  • Interviews
        • Col Gerrard
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Col Gerrard on his self-titled debut, touring with Boyzlife and what comes next

          April 20, 2026

          London-born singer-songwriter Col Gerrard has loved music from an early age, and that passion shines throughout his self-titled debut album. Drawing on a range of influences, the record takes listeners on an emotional journey, with […]

          Ganser
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Alicia Gaines on the Architecture of Ganser and Discomfort by Design

          April 12, 2026

          Chicago’s underground has always thrived in the margins, and few bands embody that restless, art-driven spirit quite like Ganser. Formed in the city’s DIY circuit, the group have carved out a reputation for wiry, confrontational […]

          Elles Bailey
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Elles Bailey on the Story Behind ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’

          March 9, 2026

          Singer-songwriter Elles Bailey released her latest album, Can’t Take My Story Away, at the beginning of this year. Produced by Luke Potashnick, the album is deeply personal and quietly powerful—rooted in resilience, reflection, and self-ownership. […]

  • Podcast
        • robert arkins - the commitments
          Podcast

          Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286

          May 25, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Robert Arkins, best known to millions as Jimmy Rabbitte in Alan Parker’s classic 1991 film The Commitments. Robert joins Mark for […]

          Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music, "Fire Escape Symphonies" and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
          Podcast

          Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285

          May 19, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot. Nerina joins Mark for a warm, honest and reflective conversation about her new career-spanning […]

          Broken Social Scene on 'Remember The Humans,' grief and why music still saves people | XS Noize Podcast #284
          Podcast

          Broken Social Scene on ‘Remember The Humans,’ grief and why music still saves us

          May 12, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin of Broken Social Scene. Kevin and Charles join Mark for a warm, reflective and deeply human […]

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  • Amanda

Articles by Amanda Stock

Xsnoize Author
Amanda Stock
Amanda is passionate for electronic music and in particular her devotion to Depeche Mode, a band that has remained a constant throughout her life since she saw them for the first time at Hammersmith Odeon in 1983, aged 15.Amanda contributes to album reviews mostly but has also written several “introducing” type features. Amanda loves discovering and writing about new music. Fave band : Depeche Mode Fave album: Violator
Website
debdepan "Lovers & Others" EP
Album Reviews

REVIEW: debdepan “Lovers & Others” EP

November 27, 2025 Amanda Stock

In recent years, the vibrant seaside town of Margate has evolved into a heady blend of coastal charm and DIY creativity — a place where visual artists, musicians and free-thinking makers thrive. It’s the perfect […]

REVIEW: Blusher EP – RACER
Album Reviews

REVIEW: Blusher – RACER EP

July 29, 2025 Amanda Stock

Whilst the UK and the USA primarily dominate the English language music scene, Australia has given us its share of highly successful artists over the last 30 years or so. Apart from Kylie, who dominates […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Aisha Badru - The Sun Still Rises
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Aisha Badru – The Sun Still Rises

November 26, 2024 Amanda Stock

Right now, so many things are out of our control – global events, elections, a health diagnosis, losing a loved one or news you’re waiting on. As individuals, we can feel lonely and disconnected when […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Permafrost – The Light Coming Through
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Permafrost – The Light Coming Through

October 11, 2024 Amanda Stock

If you are a fan of Interpol’s sinister menace, The Cure’s jagged guitar lines, or New Order’s electronic bass lines, you may want to check out Permafrost. This enigmatic Nordic/British quartet’s music is a mix […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Blossoms – Gary
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Blossoms – Gary

September 19, 2024 Amanda Stock

English Indie/Rock band Blossoms are back! Fresh from the recent biggest headline show of their 11-year career at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park, Blossoms release their fifth studio album, Gary. Not many bands could get away with “Gary” […]

Paris Paloma
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Paris Paloma – Cacophony

August 29, 2024 Amanda Stock

Suppose you’ve been on TikTok in the last year or so. In that case, you may have come across singer/songwriter Paris Paloma and her anthem of feminist rage, “Labour”, – whether via the song itself […]

Humanist - On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Humanist – On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World

July 19, 2024 Amanda Stock

On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World is the second album to be released by Humanist – a big, ambitious recording project orchestrated by multi-instrumentalist/guitarist/songwriter and producer Rob Marshall. Like its self-titled 2020 […]

LIVE REVIEW: Richard Hawley at Eventim Apollo, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Richard Hawley at Eventim Apollo, London

June 10, 2024 Amanda Stock

Richard Hawley’s latest album, In This City They Call You Love, was released a week ago and has received critical acclaim from just about everybody in the music press. So this gig in London’s Eventim […]

Richard Hawley – In This City They Call You Love
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – In This City They Call You Love

May 30, 2024 Amanda Stock

The incomparable Richard Hawley, singer, songwriter, and guitarist has packed an awful lot in since the release of his last studio album, Further in 2019. That same year, a musical featuring songs penned by Hawley […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Tara Nome Doyle – Værmin
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Tara Nome Doyle – Værmin

January 24, 2022 Amanda Stock

Tara Nome Doyle is a 24-year old singer-songwriter with Norwegian-Irish roots. In April 2018, she released her first single, the amazing ‘Down with You’, which was streamed almost four million times. In January 2020, her […]

EP REVIEW: Polly Scattergood - In The Absence Of Light
Album Reviews

EP REVIEW: Polly Scattergood – In The Absence Of Light

September 15, 2021 Amanda Stock

In The Absence of Light is the new EP from singer/songwriter musician Polly Scattergood and follows on from her long-awaited third album In This Moment, released back in July last year. Being in lockdown certainly […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell – Burn
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell – Burn

May 3, 2021 Amanda Stock

Dead Can Dance members Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell have teamed up under a new guise with James Chapman (MAPS) to create a studio album titled Burn. The record began its journey more than seven […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Tiny Magnetic Pets – Blue Wave
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Tiny Magnetic Pets – Blue Wave

April 2, 2021 Amanda Stock

There has been a retro revival of early ‘80s electronic music over the last ten years or so with a constant conveyor belt of new artists eager to create the analogue sounds of synth pioneers […]

JULES MAXWELL releases new album ‘Nocturnes’ – available on 5th March 2021
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Jules Maxwell – Nocturnes

March 1, 2021 Amanda Stock

The intriguing but relatively unknown music career of composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jules Maxwell has been diverse, to say the least, and began in rather unlikely circumstances. Although he studied music at school, it was […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Puma Blue - In Praise Of Shadows
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Puma Blue – In Praise Of Shadows

February 1, 2021 Amanda Stock

Puma Blue is 25-year-old South Londoner, singer/songwriter Jacob Allen. He once described his moniker as an “imagined character who is a half washed-up drunk, half big cat, just slumped in a barstool and reeking of […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Carbone - Live At Rockpalast
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Carbone – Live At Rockpalast

November 29, 2020 Amanda Stock

Berlin-based artist Laura Carbone has been creating a great deal of buzz in music circles since the release of her debut album Sirens in 2015. Prior to its release, Laura had been the lead singer […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Vita and the Woolf - Anna Ohio
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Vita and the Woolf – Anna Ohio

August 17, 2020 Amanda Stock

Philadelphia born Vita and the Woolf is singer-songwriter, musician and producer Jennifer Pague. When Pague initially started the synth-pop/ indie project Vita and the Woolf back in 2012, it was a seven-piece ensemble and went […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Polly Scattergood - In This Moment
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Polly Scattergood – In This Moment

June 28, 2020 Amanda Stock

Electronic artist Polly Scattergood returns with her fourth studio album, In This Moment on 3rd July 2020. It’s an eagerly anticipated release following two critically acclaimed solo albums and a successful side project collaboration with […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Empathy Test - Monsters
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Empathy Test – Monsters

May 15, 2020 Amanda Stock

Since Empathy Test’s conception in January 2013, the London-based synth-pop act have been fiercely independent and brave in both self-producing and self – releasing not one, but two brilliant debut albums back in November 2017 […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Roger O’Donnell - 2 Ravens
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Roger O’Donnell – 2 Ravens

April 23, 2020 Amanda Stock

Keyboardist and composer Roger O’Donnell has spent over 40 years on stage with bands like Psychedelic Furs, The Thompson Twins and for the last 33 years (on and off) the world’s biggest cult band – […]

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LATEST PODCASTS

  • robert arkins - the commitments
    Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286
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  • Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music, "Fire Escape Symphonies" and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
    Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
    May 19, 2026
  • Broken Social Scene on 'Remember The Humans,' grief and why music still saves people | XS Noize Podcast #284
    Broken Social Scene on ‘Remember The Humans,’ grief and why music still saves us
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  • da Googie
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    Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
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  • Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281
    Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281
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