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  • Dea Matrona on ‘Hate That I Care’ and Creative Independence | XS Noize Podcast #289
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XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • EELS
          News

          EELS Announce New Album ‘Cookie Happened’ And Share ‘Cap In Hand’

          June 16, 2026

          EELS have announced their 16th studio album, Cookie Happened, set for release on October 16 via E Works / Play It Again Sam. Alongside the announcement, the band have shared the album’s first single, “Cap […]

          Jesus Jones
          News

          Jesus Jones Announce New Album ‘Twilight’ And ‘Doubt’ 35th Anniversary UK Tour

          June 16, 2026

          Jesus Jones have announced their eighth album, Twilight, their first new full-length release in eight years. The band have also shared the album’s first single, “Shot In The Chevy,” which is available to stream now. […]

          Razorlight
          News

          Razorlight Announce Belfast Show For ‘Razorlight’ 20th Anniversary Tour

          June 12, 2026

          Razorlight will play The Telegraph Building, Belfast, on Sunday, December 13, 2026, as part of their Razorlight 20th anniversary tour. The UK and Ireland dates will celebrate 20 years since the release of the band’s […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace - Avalanche
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace – Avalanche

          June 10, 2026

          For three decades, West Yorkshire’s finest have been a steadfast pillar of the British music scene. Celebrating their 30-year milestone in 2026, Embrace return with their highly anticipated ninth studio album, Avalanche. It’s a record […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Abrasive Trees – Light Remaining
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Abrasive Trees – Light Remaining

          June 3, 2026

          Death, grief and frazzled nerves conspire on an epic odyssey to the dark side Totnes experimentalists Abrasive Trees have long sailed choppy liminal seas between the living world and whatever lurks beyond it. Their debut […]

        • 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: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival Credit: Pete Woodhead
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival

          June 16, 2026

          It has been a significant year for the Southbank Centre, which recently received a £10 million grant as part of its 75th birthday celebrations. Adding to that sense of occasion, Harry Styles was announced as […]

          The Proclaimers
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: The Proclaimers Bring Heart, Humour And Timeless Anthems To Live At Chelsea

          June 14, 2026

          Before Scottish twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid brought their unmistakable harmonies to Royal Hospital Chelsea with a 24-track set, support came from Edinburgh-born Hamish Hawk. Describing himself as more of a diarist than an […]

        • 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
        • Dea Matrona
          Podcast

          Dea Matrona on ‘Hate That I Care’ and Creative Independence | XS Noize Podcast #289

          June 16, 2026

          Belfast rock duo Dea Matrona join Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss their second album, Hate That I Care — a bold, more personal and self-assured new chapter for Mollie McGinn and […]

          Embrace
          Podcast

          Danny McNamara on Embrace’s New Album ‘Avalanche’ and Why Life Doesn’t Wait | XS Noize Podcast #288

          June 9, 2026

          Danny McNamara joins the XS Noize Podcast to discuss Embrace’s new album Avalanche, 30 years of the band, fatherhood, songwriting, The Good Will Out and why life doesn’t wait. […]

          The Hoosiers
          Podcast

          The Hoosiers on New Album ‘Compassion,’ Toxicity & Finding Joy Again | XS Noize Podcast #287

          June 2, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Irwin Sparkes and Alan Sharland from The Hoosiers. Irwin and Alan join Mark for a warm, funny and reflective conversation about […]

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Articles by Stewart Gibson

Avatar for Stewart Gibson
Stewart Gibson
Fav Band: U2 Fav Album: Achtung Baby First Gig – U2 War Tour Email: gibbo@xsnoize.com
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JAKE EVANS - Debut album 'Day one', Released 31st July, 2015
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: JAKE EVANS – DAY ONE

August 17, 2015 Stewart Gibson

This is Jake Evans first solo album and it’s a pretty solid one to start off with. I have seen and heard his contributions to Jimi Goodwin’s album and consequent live shows which he did some […]

TWO GALLANTS TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE 'INCIDENTAL'
Album Reviews

TWO GALLANTS – WE ARE UNDONE

March 13, 2015 Stewart Gibson

Two Gallants hale from San Francisco and have been recording since 2004, We Are Undone is their fifth studio album. They are yet another two person band (which seems to be flavour of the month) and yes […]

BLACK RIVERS - BLACK RIVERS
Album Reviews

BLACK RIVERS – BLACK RIVERS

February 13, 2015 Stewart Gibson

So since and I’ll mention the D word early on Doves went on ‘hiatus’ in 2010 to do their own things musically we had to wait nigh on four years for Jimi Goodwin to release […]

GAZ COOMBES - MATADOR
Album Reviews

GAZ COOMBES – MATADOR

February 2, 2015 Stewart Gibson

Supergrass were one of the leading lights of the 90’s Britpop scene but this second solo effort from Gaz Coombes is as far away from that as can be which is a good thing. The […]

THE WATERBOYS - MODERN BLUES
Album of the week

THE WATERBOYS – MODERN BLUES

January 21, 2015 Stewart Gibson

This is The Waterboys 11th album in a 30-ish year career, they have been through big music to irish jiggery pokery (and loads of fiddly diddlyness). For this album Mike Scott decamped to Nashville, the […]

THE CORAL - THE CURSE OF LOVE
Album Reviews

THE CORAL – THE CURSE OF LOVE

October 31, 2014 Stewart Gibson

The Coral have been on hiatus a while now since their last album from 2010 The Butterfly House. This ‘new’ album is a collection of lost songs from the period between The Invisible Invasion and […]

WAYNE HUSSEY -  SONGS OF CANDLELIGHT AND RAZORBLADES
Album Reviews

WAYNE HUSSEY – SONGS OF CANDLELIGHT AND RAZORBLADES

October 19, 2014 Stewart Gibson

The Mission reformed a couple of years ago with 3 of the original 4 members and released an album of new songs ‘The Brightest Light’, both album and the shows that followed were well received. […]

LATEST PODCASTS

  • Dea Matrona
    Dea Matrona on ‘Hate That I Care’ and Creative Independence | XS Noize Podcast #289
    June 16, 2026
  • Embrace
    Danny McNamara on Embrace’s New Album ‘Avalanche’ and Why Life Doesn’t Wait | XS Noize Podcast #288
    June 9, 2026
  • The Hoosiers
    The Hoosiers on New Album ‘Compassion,’ Toxicity & Finding Joy Again | XS Noize Podcast #287
    June 2, 2026
  • 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
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  • Broken Social Scene on 'Remember The Humans,' grief and why music still saves people | XS Noize Podcast #284
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