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  • Mae Stephens unveils sultry new single ‘Blue’
  • Billy Ocean Announces Belfast and Derry Shows for September
  • LIVE REVIEW: Lorna Shore Deliver a Career-Defining Headline Show at Alexandra Palace
  • Super Furry Animals Unearth Early 1993 Recording ‘Pocket Sam’ Featuring Rhys Ifans
  • Mark Shaw of Then Jerico on The Return, legacy, and bringing the full band show to Ireland | XS Noize Podcast #270
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  • News
        • Mae Stephens
          News

          Mae Stephens unveils sultry new single ‘Blue’

          February 14, 2026

          Mae Stephens finished 2025 by stepping into her confident era with the provocative ‘Done With U’, and now the internationally Gold-certified artist’s reinvention continues as she shares her new single ‘Blue’. It comes ahead of […]

          BILLY OCEAN
          News

          Billy Ocean Announces Belfast and Derry Shows for September

          February 13, 2026

          One of the biggest recording stars Britain has ever produced, Billy Ocean is pleased to announce two very special shows at the Millennium Forum on September 13th and Waterfront Hall on September 14th with special […]

          Super Furry Animals
          News

          Super Furry Animals Unearth Early 1993 Recording ‘Pocket Sam’ Featuring Rhys Ifans

          February 12, 2026

          SUPER FURRY ANIMALS have released one of their earliest recordings, revealing the dreamy space-rock of Pocket Sam to fans with acclaimed-actor and original singer, Rhys Ifans on vocals. Captured on tape at Grassroots Studio in Cardiff as the Furries started to form in the […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          Helicon x Al Lover - Arise
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Helicon x Al Lover – Arise

          February 10, 2026

          Scottish band Helicon were formed in Glasgow’s East Kilbride by brothers John-Paul and Gary Hughes. They are a collective of musicians whose experimental sounds blend psychedelia, sitar, electronica and guitars to create a fuzzed-up wall […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: IST IST - Dagger
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: IST IST – Dagger

          February 9, 2026

          Manchester’s post-punk titans IST IST have never been a band to do things by halves. Rising from the city’s underground with a fiercely independent DIY ethic, they’ve spent years carving out a sonic identity as […]

        • 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: Lorna Shore Deliver a Career-Defining Headline Show at Alexandra Palace Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Lorna Shore Deliver a Career-Defining Headline Show at Alexandra Palace

          February 13, 2026

          The most incendiary force in modern deathcore, Lorna Shore, stormed the iconic Alexandra Palace for a night that felt less like a gig and more like a statement. Completing the bill were genre heavyweights Humanity’s […]

          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 […]

        • 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// 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 […]

          IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland Credit: Becca McCaffrey
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland

          January 11, 2026

          Biffy Clyro put on a brilliant show at the 3Arena on Saturday, 10 January, delivering a set that was as heavy and intense as it was open and emotional. The sold-out Dublin crowd were treated […]

  • 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
        • Jordan Anthony
          Interviews

          Jordan Anthony on “Lost In LA”, Finding His Voice in LA & Dream Tour Plans

          February 10, 2026

          He may only be 20, but Perth-born, LA-based artist Jordan Anthony already has more experience within the music industry than many might expect. He was writing songs and playing instruments before he hit double digits, […]

          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 […]

  • Podcast
        • Mark Shaw - Then Jerico | XS Noize Podcast #270
          Podcast

          Mark Shaw of Then Jerico on The Return, legacy, and bringing the full band show to Ireland | XS Noize Podcast #270

          February 10, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Mark Shaw of Then Jerico to talk about The Return — a moment that reconnects legacy, live energy, and purpose as the […]

          Desertflowerboots_H - photo credit Sandrita Cardenas 1
          Podcast

          Crispian Mills of Kula Shaker on creativity, chaos, and Wormslayer | XS Noize Podcast #269

          February 8, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Kula Shaker frontman Crispian Mills to talk about Wormslayer — a record that captures the band feeling revitalised, confident, and creatively fearless. […]

          Dani Larkin
          Podcast

          Dani Larkin on Next Of Kin: life, loss, and learning to stay open | XS Noize Podcast #268

          February 3, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Dani Larkin to talk about Next Of Kin — a deeply emotive record shaped by time, patience, and a renewed sense of […]

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Articles by David Ham

Xsnoize Author
David Ham
Music fan and music geek living nestled into the South Downs. Can often be found staring longingly at Tumuli while wearing oversized headphones.Favourite Album – Serge Gainsbourg, Histoire De Melody Nelson Favourite Band – Lee “Scratch” Perry
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ALBUM REVIEW: Tune Yards – Sketchy
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Tune Yards – Sketchy

March 24, 2021 David Ham

Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner are the duo better known as Tune-Yards, and their excellent fifth album, released by 4AD, is called Sketchy. The 11 songs have been inspired by the Beastie Boys, Book and […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Goo Goo Dolls – It’s Christmas All Over
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Goo Goo Dolls – It’s Christmas All Over

November 2, 2020 David Ham

“It’s Christmas” shouts Noddy Holder on every Christmas compilation album and on every mainstream radio show and on every Spotify playlist. Having a popular Christmas song can be very lucrative. People may not know any […]

ALBUM REVIEW: William Shatner – The Blues
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: William Shatner – The Blues

October 26, 2020 David Ham

William Shatner is a rare cultural phenomenon, an actor and celebrity who has become a worldwide household name. Most people instantly think of James T. Kirk. The starship Captain on his five-year mission “ to […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Dream Division – Beyond The Mirror’s Image
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Dream Division – Beyond The Mirror’s Image

September 29, 2020 David Ham

The last few years have been a very productive time for Tom McDowell and his musical project Dream Division. McDowell is an electronic music composer whose speciality is the heavy and decidedly dark synth sound […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Arthur Brothers – Nine
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Arthur Brothers – Nine

September 20, 2020 David Ham

The trio behind The Arthur Brothers is the real-life brother’s Matt and Danny Arthur and the producer and multi-instrumentalist J.C Wright. Their debut album, Nine is released by Clearlight Records/Declared Goods. There is a lack […]

ALBUM REVIEW: DMA’s - The Glow
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: DMA’s – The Glow

July 27, 2020 David Ham

Tommy O’Dell, Matt Mason and Johnny Took formed DMA’s in Sydney, Australia in 2012. The three-piece band exploded onto the scene in 2014 with their debut single “Delete” and self-titled EP which was heavily influenced […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Dogs Versus Shadows – This Crow Wears A Wire
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Dogs Versus Shadows – This Crow Wears A Wire

June 29, 2020 David Ham

Dogs Versus Shadows is the moniker of Lee Pylon. Probably best known as the host of the excellent radio show “Kites and Pylons.” A weekly show on Sine FM and Mixcloud, with the tag line […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Badly Drawn Boy - Banana Skin Shoes
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Badly Drawn Boy – Banana Skin Shoes

May 26, 2020 David Ham

It’s been twenty years since Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy, exploded onto the “Indie” music scene with his debut album The Hour Of The Bewilderbeast. In the late ’90s, Gough released various EPs, steadily […]

ALBUM REVIEW: I Break Horses – Warnings
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: I Break Horses – Warnings

April 27, 2020 David Ham

I Break Horses is the musical partnership of Maria Linden and Frederick Balck who are based in Stockholm, Sweden. Signed to Bella Union their debut album Hearts was released in 2011 and is an interesting […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Hunter Complex – Dead Calm and Zero Degrees
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Hunter Complex – Dead Calm and Zero Degrees

March 15, 2020 David Ham

Hunter Complex is the Dutch musician and composer, Lars Meijer. He’s well-known in the Netherlands underground electronica scene. He has been composing electronic, synth-based music for other 30 years. In the late 80’s he began […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Baxter Dury – The Night Chancers
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Baxter Dury – The Night Chancers

March 5, 2020 David Ham

“The Night Chancers” released by Heavenly Records, is Baxter Dury’s 6th album. It continues the long term collaboration with producer Craig Silvey. The pair are purveyors of sleazy, alternative pop music. Soaked in synth strings […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Porridge Radio – Every Bad
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Porridge Radio – Every Bad

March 1, 2020 David Ham

Formed in Brighton in 2015, Porridge Radio are a New Wave, Post Punk, Alternative Pop quartet, fronted by lead vocalist and guitarist Dana Margolin. The punk DIY ethos burns fiercely bright in Porridge Radio. A […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Gigi Masin – Calypso
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Gigi Masin – Calypso

February 17, 2020 David Ham

The Italian, Venetian born composer, Gigi Masin has probably moved into the veteran category in the world of electronic ambient music. “Wind” was his debut album, it was privately pressed in 1986. Unfortunately, Masin’s house […]

LATEST PODCASTS

  • Mark Shaw - Then Jerico | XS Noize Podcast #270
    Mark Shaw of Then Jerico on The Return, legacy, and bringing the full band show to Ireland | XS Noize Podcast #270
    February 10, 2026
  • Desertflowerboots_H - photo credit Sandrita Cardenas 1
    Crispian Mills of Kula Shaker on creativity, chaos, and Wormslayer | XS Noize Podcast #269
    February 8, 2026
  • Dani Larkin
    Dani Larkin on Next Of Kin: life, loss, and learning to stay open | XS Noize Podcast #268
    February 3, 2026
  • Paul Draper
    Paul Draper on Mansun Retold: revisiting old songs with new perspective | XS Noize Podcast #267
    January 27, 2026
  • Alexander Wolfe
    Alexander Wolfe on ‘Everythinglessness’ and confronting masculinity through music | XS Noize Podcast #266
    January 20, 2026
  • Callum Beattie
    Callum Beattie on new album INDI and trusting his instinct | XS Noize Podcast #265
    January 14, 2026

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  • Mark Shaw - Then Jerico | XS Noize Podcast #270Mark Shaw of Then Jerico on The Return, legacy, and bringing the full band show to Ireland | XS Noize Podcast #270 February 10, 2026
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