Skip to main content
Trending
  • Kodaline Bring Their ‘Farewell Tour’ to Belfast’s Ulster Hall — June 17, 2026
  • Gene Announce Roundhouse Dates Following Sold-Out Comeback Shows
  • Sex Pistols feat Frank Carter announce Anarchy In The U.K. Tour
  • LIVE REVIEW: Of Monsters and Men Camden Roundhouse, London
  • LIVE REVIEW: Johannes Eckerström Commands Rock City as Avatar Unleash Theatrical Mayhem
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Kodaline
          News

          Kodaline Bring Their ‘Farewell Tour’ to Belfast’s Ulster Hall — June 17, 2026

          February 23, 2026

          One of the biggest Irish bands of the modern era, Kodaline have announced a very special warm up show at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on Wednesday 17th June 2026 ahead of their Farewell Tour live […]

          Gene
          News

          Gene Announce Roundhouse Dates Following Sold-Out Comeback Shows

          February 23, 2026

          Indie-rock stars Gene have announced they will play two dates at The Roundhouse in London in October 2026. After a 21-year hiatus, Gene returned last year to perform three comeback shows that all sold-out within […]

          Sex Pistols
          News

          Sex Pistols feat Frank Carter announce Anarchy In The U.K. Tour

          February 23, 2026

          A definitive sound in rock since 1976 and one of the most important bands in music history, celebrate 50 years of punk this winter. Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols once again join forces with Frank Carter for one […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Nothing - A Short History Of Decay
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Nothing – A Short History Of Decay

          February 20, 2026

          Philadelphia shoegaze standard-bearers Nothing return in 2026 with A Short History Of Decay, a record that feels less like a reinvention and more like a reaffirmation of everything they’ve quietly perfected over the past decade […]

          Paul Draper
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Draper – Mansun Retold

          February 20, 2026

          Three decades have passed since Mansun first injected a dose of grand, prog-inflected eccentricity into the waning days of Britpop. In 2026, ex-frontman Paul Draper returns with Mansun Retold, a project that resists the easy […]

        • 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: Of Monsters and Men Camden Roundhouse, London photos by Martin
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Of Monsters and Men Camden Roundhouse, London

          February 21, 2026

          Of Monsters and Men first broke through in 2010 after winning Músíktilraunir, Iceland’s annual Battle of the Bands. That early victory propelled the then-emerging collective onto the international stage, leading to a European Border Breakers […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Johannes Eckerström Commands Rock City as Avatar Unleash Theatrical Mayhem Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Johannes Eckerström Commands Rock City as Avatar Unleash Theatrical Mayhem

          February 21, 2026

          Swedish heavy metal visionaries Avatar transformed Nottingham’s Rock City into a dark theatrical spectacle on February 17th — delivering one of the most visually captivating and musically explosive shows the venue has seen in recent […]

        • 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
        • Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271
          Podcast

          Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271

          February 17, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to revisit Howl — the band’s third album and a bold creative left turn […]

          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. […]

  • About Us
  • Contribute
  • Home
  • Author
  • John K

Articles by John Kearns

Xsnoize Author
John Kearns
As an MTV Europe Presenter, radio DJ and music journalist for many years, John Kearns has interviewed everyone from David Bowie to Prince , from Madonna to Ed Sheeran, from Liam Gallagher to the Foo Fighters and everyone in between …He also regularly champions unsigned and up and coming artists. Completely immersed in music, (he’s a guitarist and bassist) he can always be found either listening to it or playing it.
Website
Valencia Grace
Features

STATE OF GRACE: Why Valencia Grace Is an Artist on the Brink

January 31, 2026 John Kearns

We caught up with Valencia Grace as she prepares for a run of live shows and the next phase of her rapidly growing project. Valencia Grace is a very exciting prospect indeed. The multi-instrumentalist and […]

Arcadia
Features

FEATURE: Arcadia – So Red the Rose at 40

November 18, 2025 John Kearns

Duraniversary — A Celebration of Arcadia’s So Red the Rose 40 Years On by John Kearns The thing about side projects is this: if they don’t work, there’s no real harm done (“Hey, it was […]

Swim School
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Swim School – Swim School

November 4, 2025 John Kearns

Swim School have delivered a super cool debut album that manages to combine a classic indie feel with a modern edge. Filled with powerful riffs, enchanting melodies and runaway choruses, “This Is The Debut Album” […]

Alec Meza
News

Alec Meza Releases Haunting New Single “Can’t Let You Go” — A Soul-Searching Piano Ballad That Captivates Instantly

October 20, 2025 John Kearns

Alec Meza has just released his stunning new single “Can’t Let You Go.“ The haunting track is a stripped back soul searching piano/vocal piece that is instantly addictive. The song’s sparse but highly effective production […]

DURAN DURAN
Interviews

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

June 19, 2025 John Kearns

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 […]

DURAN DURAN
Interviews

INTERVIEW: Duran Duran Hit the Road: John Taylor on the Band’s Deepest European Tour in Decades

June 3, 2025 John Kearns

DURAN DURAN are out on the tar plains once again, kicking off a series of European dates from June 3rd. From Finland to Sardinia, this latest tour sees the band playing sixteen shows, including two […]

Biig Piig
Interviews

INTERVIEW: Biig Piig Talks Debut Album ’11:11′ and Headline Show at The Limelight, Belfast

February 13, 2025 John Kearns

The highly anticipated new album from Biig Piig has arrived and has exceeded expectations with its perfect alt-pop soundscapes, addictive melodies and relatable lyrics. 11:11 is the follow-up to 2023’s Bubblegum mixtape, which effectively lit […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Alec Meza - Ah! Real Lovers!
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Alec Meza – Ah! Real Lovers!

June 7, 2024 John Kearns

Alec Meza has delivered an album that captivates and elevates in equal measure. Ah! Real Lovers! is packed with both substance and style and takes you on an intriguing journey full of twists and turns. […]

The Libertines - All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Libertines – All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade  

April 9, 2024 John Kearns

The very notion that The Libertines would release a stunning fourth album in 2024 is something that would have seemed ridiculously over-optimistic, if not utterly preposterous, twenty years ago… writes John Kearns. However, here we […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Duran Duran - Danse Macabre
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Duran Duran – Danse Macabre

October 25, 2023 John Kearns

Duran Duran has never been a band even momentarily to rest on their considerable laurels. Hot on the heels of the hugely successful Future Past tour comes Danse Macabre, a special Halloween interim project, and […]

LATEST PODCASTS

  • Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271
    Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271
    February 17, 2026
  • 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

TOP UK MUSIC BLOG 2026

Trending Articles

  • LANA DEL REY RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘WHITE FEATHER HAWK TAIL DEER HUNTER’Lana Del Rey Releases New Single ‘White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter’ February 17, 2026
  • U2U2 Return with ‘Days Of Ash’, a Brand New Standalone EP February 18, 2026
  • Paul DraperALBUM REVIEW: Paul Draper – Mansun Retold February 20, 2026
  • Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271 February 17, 2026
  • Peaky Blinders‘Puppet’ by Grian Chatten Leads Official Soundtrack for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man February 19, 2026
  • Bad Bunny6 of Bad Bunny’s biggest selling hits August 5, 2025
  • LevellersLevellers announce headline tour celebrating 35 years of ‘Levelling The Land’ February 16, 2026
  • Steven Wilson Royal Albert HallSteven Wilson to Play His Only 2026 Live Shows at the Royal Albert Hall February 16, 2026
  • Bad BunnyBad Bunny’s 2026 World Tour: Dates, venues, tickets, and more July 25, 2025
  • Glen HansardGlen Hansard Announces New Album ‘Don’t Settle – Transmissions East & West’ and European Tour February 17, 2026

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • Youtube
  • instagram
  • Spotify
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2024 | XS Noize. Website by Skyhaven Media