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  • From Indie Bands to Global Brands: How Artists Build Multi-Platform Identities
  • AVA Belfast reveals full 2026 festival programme including afterparties, talks, workshops and more
  • THE SCRIPT announce new album ‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’ and huge UK & European arena headline tour
  • ALBUM REVIEW: The Coral – 388
  • Dexys Midnight Runners announce new album ‘LOVE’ following Heavenly Recordings signing
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • kneecap
          News

          AVA Belfast reveals full 2026 festival programme including afterparties, talks, workshops and more

          May 22, 2026

          AVA Belfast returns to Titanic Slipways on 29–30 May 2026, as the city prepares for what promises to be its biggest music weekend of the year. Hailed as “Techno Christmas,” or “Belfast Coachella” AVA is […]

          The Script
          News

          THE SCRIPT announce new album ‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’ and huge UK & European arena headline tour

          May 22, 2026

          The Script’s phenomenal and long-lasting success has seen them achieve six UK #1 albums and eight back home in Ireland, in the process exceeding 14 billion streams, 5 million album sales, and countless international Platinum […]

          Dexys Midnight Runners
          News

          Dexys Midnight Runners announce new album ‘LOVE’ following Heavenly Recordings signing

          May 21, 2026

          Having recently announced their signing to Heavenly Recordings, Dexys Midnight Runners have today announced details of their new album, LOVE, out on Friday 4th September 2026. LOVE is a deeply personal and emotionally rich album […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          The Coral
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Coral – 388

          May 21, 2026

          The Coral have always thrived on instinct, but even by their standards, 388 feels like a beautifully unexpected detour. Arriving without teaser singles or algorithm-chasing fanfare, the Hoylake psych-pop veterans have delivered one of the […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Ed O’Brien - Blue Morpho
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Ed O’Brien – Blue Morpho

          May 20, 2026

          There has been a flurry of solo activity from the members of Radiohead in the ten years since A Moon Shaped Pool was released. In that same decade, the world has faced its share of […]

        • 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: 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 […]

          LIVE REVIEW: The Prodigy Bring Fire, Chaos and Emotion to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: The Prodigy Bring Fire, Chaos and Emotion to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena

          May 7, 2026

          After more than 30 years, The Prodigy remain one of the most powerful live electronic acts on the planet — and their sold-out show at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena proved exactly why. The night began with […]

        • 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
        • 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 […]

          da Googie
          Podcast

          Deb Googe & Cara Tivey on da Googie and bringing immersive sound to Belfast | XS Noize Podcast #283

          May 5, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Deb Googe and Cara Tivey for a thoughtful and exploratory conversation about their debut full-length album together, The Golden Thread. You […]

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Articles by Helen Russell

Avatar for Helen Russell
Helen Russell
Fav band - The Script Fav Album - Science & Faith
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INTERVIEW: Snow Patrol's Jonny Quinn - "There was a real fear amongst us that the band might be over." 3
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Snow Patrol – Reworked

November 10, 2019 Helen Russell

To celebrate their 25th Anniversary, Snow Patrol have reworked tracks from their back catalogue and added three new ones to show us their hits spanning the decades in a new style. Twenty-five years into a […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Script – Sunsets and Full Moons
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Script – Sunsets and Full Moons

November 10, 2019 Helen Russell

The Script are most definitely back with their sixth album Sunsets and Full Moons, which is being called the sequel to their self-titled debut album (released in 2008). It has been a hard year for […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Kaiser Chiefs - Duck
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Kaiser Chiefs – Duck

July 30, 2019 Helen Russell

Kaiser Chiefs are back with their 7th studio album Duck, a rather different album if you are used to their original works from Employment and Yours Truly Angry Mob. But if you have listened to […]

LIVE REVIEW: Snow Patrol at Bournemouth International Centre 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Snow Patrol at Bournemouth International Centre

January 29, 2019 Helen Russell

Snow Patrol came to Bournemouth on a winter Sunday night as part of the second leg of their Wildness European tour. The International Centre was packed out early to see support from Roe a talented […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Prodigy are Champions of Brighton 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: The Prodigy are Champions of Brighton

November 7, 2018 Helen Russell

The Prodigy brought their No Tourists tour to a SOLD-OUT Brighton Centre on Monday 5th November, bouncing on stage later than planned – Not that the crowd cared one bit. The band brought their own […]

LIVE REVIEW: A Welcome South Coast Return for Tom Grennan 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: A Welcome South Coast Return for Tom Grennan

October 20, 2018 Helen Russell

Bringing his Lighting Matches tour to the south coast of England on Monday night, Tom Grennan started and finished to a rapturous applause at the SOLD OUT O2 Guildhall Southampton. Its been two years since […]

LIVE REVIEW: Editors Welcomed Back to Southampton 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Editors Welcomed Back to Southampton

October 9, 2018 Helen Russell

Editors Violence Tour kicked off last night in Southampton for the first night of their tour. With a crowd that did not get going till three-quarters of the way through the set. Overall the gig […]

LIVE REVIEW: Travis Sing Sing Sing in Belfast 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Travis Sing Sing Sing in Belfast

August 24, 2018 Helen Russell

Travis brought The Man Who LIVE 2018 Tour to Belfast Customs House Square on Wednesday night. Playing their 2nd Album The Man Who (released in 1999) in its entirety plus some of their other favourite […]

LIVE REVIEW: Kasabian on FIRE in Belfast 3
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Kasabian on FIRE in Belfast

August 22, 2018 Helen Russell

Kasabian came back to Belfast with a bang on Monday night at Customs House Square, after their last-minute cancellation the year before. With rain clouds looming we were all hoping it would not be a […]

IN FOCUS// George Ezra @ Brixton Academy 8
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// George Ezra @ Brixton Academy

April 8, 2018 Helen Russell

Check out Helen Russell’s photos from George Ezra’s SOLD OUT gig at Brixton Academy on Tuesday, April 3rd. The crowd rocked Brixton and hung to George’s every word. Setlist: Intro (Soul Bossa Nova) Cassy O’ […]

LIVE REVIEW: Royal Blood at Alexandra Palace 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Royal Blood at Alexandra Palace

November 23, 2017 Helen Russell

“London how the devil are you?” Royal Blood frontman Mike Kerr asked the 10,000 strong Alexandra Palace crowd on Monday night. He openly admitted that the duo made up of himself and drummer Ben Thatcher […]

LIVE REVIEW: JP Cooper – The Roundhouse London 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: JP Cooper – The Roundhouse London

October 26, 2017 Helen Russell

Having seen JP Cooper support The Script on their Freedom Child Tour, I knew I was in for something special last night at Camden Roundhouse in London. With his debut album Raised Under Grey Skies […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Script - "Freedom Child"
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Script – “Freedom Child”

September 1, 2017 Helen Russell

After nearly three years since the release of their last studio album No Sound Without Silence, The Script are back with their 5th album Freedom Child. Bursting on to the music scene in 2008 with […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Script -  Millennium Forum, Derry, N.Ireland 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: The Script – Millennium Forum, Derry, N.Ireland

August 24, 2017 Helen Russell

The Script Are Back!! The Script are back and they performed at Derry’s Millennium Forum last night (Tuesday 22nd August). Entering the stage with an entirely new song called Rock the World from their brand […]

Album Review: GORILLAZ – Humanz
Album Reviews

Album Review: GORILLAZ – Humanz

May 4, 2017 Helen Russell

It is safe to say that Gorillaz are back. After 7 years since their previous album The Fall, it is safe to say that Humanz provides us with the same sound that was produced back […]

Live Review: BLOSSOMS LIVE at The Roundhouse 1
Live Reviews

Live Review: BLOSSOMS LIVE at The Roundhouse

March 24, 2017 Helen Russell

The VO5 NME Awards Tour 2017 landed in London last night and Blossoms were worthy headliners. The guys from Stockport filled the Roundhouse from floor to ceiling with devoted fans that would be worthy of […]

Live Review: THE PIGEON DETECTIVES - The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth 2
Live Reviews

Live Review: THE PIGEON DETECTIVES – The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

March 19, 2017 Helen Russell

The Pigeon Detectives are BACK After performing Southsea Feast last year it was no surprise that they were back in Portsmouth this time at The Wedgewood Rooms, within 5 months of their last gig. Lead […]

Live Review: Broken Keyboard Doesn’t Stop KAISER CHIEFS Rocking Brighton 2
Live Reviews

Live Review: Broken Keyboard Doesn’t Stop KAISER CHIEFS Rocking Brighton

March 4, 2017 Helen Russell

It was a windy and cold Brighton on Tuesday night. Kaiser Chiefs soon made you forget the tails ends of Storm Ewan outside. With support from Howl and Spring King. Ricky Wilson and co. brought […]

Live Review: THE SHERLOCKS - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms 1
Live Reviews

Live Review: THE SHERLOCKS – Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms

February 28, 2017 Helen Russell

The Sherlocks Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms A whistle stop tour of the UK did not stop The Sherlocks from pulling out a worthy show at Portsmouth’s Wedgewood Rooms on Thursday night. The indie rock band from […]

Live Review: Kate Nash Goes MENTAL at Portsmouth Gig 2
Live Reviews

Live Review: Kate Nash Goes MENTAL at Portsmouth Gig

February 19, 2017 Helen Russell

Despite the title the reference is not to do with Kate shouting at the crowd, it is what her tour was called. Mental. To highlight people’s mental health state and to go and get help […]

Posts pagination

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LATEST PODCASTS

  • 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
    May 12, 2026
  • da Googie
    Deb Googe & Cara Tivey on da Googie and bringing immersive sound to Belfast | XS Noize Podcast #283
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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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    Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280
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