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  • ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy
  • Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
  • Natalie Imbruglia announces new album ‘Algorithm’ and shares new single ‘Upside Down’
  • PICTURE THIS add extra Belfast and Dublin dates following huge demand
  • Editors return with ‘Call It In’ and reveal 2027 UK & EU tour dates
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Natalia Imbruglia
          News

          Natalie Imbruglia announces new album ‘Algorithm’ and shares new single ‘Upside Down’

          April 29, 2026

          Natalia Imbruglia is known to millions as the star behind the global hit ‘Torn’ which remains one of the defining songs of the nineties. It started a phenomenal run of success which has included two BRIT Awards, three Grammy nominations, a Silver […]

          Picture This
          News

          PICTURE THIS add extra Belfast and Dublin dates following huge demand

          April 28, 2026

          Picture This announce their most intimate shows ever for Winter 2026 including dates in The Telegraph Building and the Millennium Forum. “We spent last summer playing cities, towns and venues in Ireland that we had […]

          Editors 
          News

          Editors return with ‘Call It In’ and reveal 2027 UK & EU tour dates

          April 28, 2026

          Editors return with brand new single, ‘Call It In’, and news of 2027 tour dates across the UK & EU. Call It In marks the band’s first new music since 2022’s studio album EBM, and emerges from studio sessions […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters - Your Favourite Toy
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy

          April 30, 2026

          If But Here We Are was the funeral, Your Favorite Toy is the violent, jagged intake of breath that follows – a resurrection that is dangerously alive. On their twelfth studio outing, Dave Grohl and gang […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Stuck - Optimizer
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Stuck – Optimizer

          April 21, 2026

          The dormant gears of Chicago’s post-punk stalwarts have finally ground back into motion. Following a three-year break, Stuck return with Optimizer, a record that suggests the only way to navigate a collapsing world is to […]

        • 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

          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 […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Gorillaz bring 'The Mountain' to Belfast — no nostalgia at the SSE Arena debut Credit: Luke Dyson
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Gorillaz bring ‘The Mountain’ to Belfast — no nostalgia at the SSE Arena debut

          April 1, 2026

          Gorillaz finally made it to Belfast — and instead of rolling out a greatest hits set, they came in with something very different. Support came from Argentine rapper, singer and songwriter Trueno, and I’ve never […]

        • 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
        • Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
          Podcast

          Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282

          April 29, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Glen Hansard for a warm, honest and deeply reflective conversation about his new live/studio album, Don+t Settle – (Vol 1 Transmissions […]

          Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281
          Podcast

          Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281

          April 22, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Miles Hunt for a candid, funny and reflective conversation marking 40 years of The Wonder Stuff. You can watch the full […]

          Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280
          Podcast

          Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280

          April 14, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Carol Decker for a candid, funny and revealing conversation about T’Pau’s return with the new album Be Wonderful. You can watch […]

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  • Lee Campbell
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Articles by Lee Campbell

Xsnoize Author
Lee Campbell
Fair to say that Lee has an eclectic taste and appreciation in music, however, in the main he tends to veer towards post-punk, indie-pop & rock and folk.Top albums and bands include 'Out of Time' by REM, 'Live Rust' by Neil Young & Crazy Horse, 'Unknown Pleasures' by Joy Division, 'Rumours' by Fleetwood Mac, 'Rio' by Duran Duran, 'Ten' by Pearl Jam, 'Violator' by Depeche Mode
Website
ALBUM REVIEW: Raf Rundell - O.M. Days
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Raf Rundell – O.M. Days

April 7, 2021 Lee Campbell

Londoner Raf Rundell’s colourful, musical optimism cleverly fuses funk, indie-pop, soul and electronica in his latest project. Looking at the cover of his second solo LP – O.M. Days – it is unusual and intriguing. […]

INTERVIEW: Mike Peters of The Alarm - “I thought, if we're going to do this record, it's got to come out before the  lockdown ends.” 1
Featured Interview

INTERVIEW: Mike Peters of The Alarm – “I thought, if we’re going to do this record, it’s got to come out before the lockdown ends.”

March 31, 2021 Lee Campbell

The Alarm’s latest album ‘War’ was written, produced & released in an astounding 50 days, just in time for lead singer Mike Peters’ birthday. Lee Campbell spoke with Mike about this unique LP and some […]

INTERVIEW with Belfast pop-noir duo Dark Tropics 1
Featured Interview

INTERVIEW with Belfast pop-noir duo Dark Tropics

March 23, 2021 Lee Campbell

Dark Tropics are a new and exciting pop-noir duo from Belfast. They are on the cusp of releasing only their third single, yet their songs have a cinematic quality and a depth to them that […]

ALBUM REVIEW: New Pagans - The Seed, The Vessel, The Roots and All
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: New Pagans – The Seed, The Vessel, The Roots and All

March 14, 2021 Lee Campbell

Belfast’s New Pagans bombastic debut delivers a rich, gothic tapestry of intelligent, indie-rock energy. It’s been just over twelve months since the release of the Glacial Erratic EP by New Pagans. That project was unleashed […]

INTERVIEW: The Levellers' Mark Chadwick - "This is the worst time I've ever known in my life" 2
Featured Interview

INTERVIEW: The Levellers’ Mark Chadwick – “This is the worst time I’ve ever known in my life”

March 8, 2021 Lee Campbell

In such politically charged and challenging times, XS Noize chatted with Mark Chadwick, the lead singer from punk-folk rockers The Levellers. We discussed the reaction of their current album, ‘Peace’, playing with Neil Young, a […]

INTERVIEW: Junodream - “Our video is like Christopher Nolan on a fifty quid budget” 1
Interviews

INTERVIEW: Junodream – “Our video is like Christopher Nolan on a fifty quid budget”

February 24, 2021 Lee Campbell

Over the course of three independently released EPs, junodream have earned airplay at Radio 1 and Radio X (John Kennedy, Felix White, Maz Tappuni) plus a BBC Introducing Hot List for their previous single ‘easy […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Smith & Burrows - Only Smith & Burrows Is Good Enough
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Smith & Burrows – Only Smith & Burrows Is Good Enough

February 15, 2021 Lee Campbell

Smith & Burrows deliver beautiful, unpretentious pop perfection that is so much more than just “good enough”. They return as their self-named moniker, a decade after their festive 2011 debut Funny Looking Angels. The acoustic […]

INTERVIEW with PASSENGER - “I was on lockdown on my own with my cats and feeling fairly weird & sad about things” 2
Featured Interview

INTERVIEW with PASSENGER – “I was on lockdown on my own with my cats and feeling fairly weird & sad about things”

January 7, 2021 Lee Campbell

Mike Rosenberg, better known as Passenger, releases his new studio album Songs for the Drunk and Broken Hearted on January 8, 2021. Hailing from Brighton, England, Passenger is a multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter. Although still […]

INTERVIEW with UK psychedelic indie rock quintet SUNSTACK JONES 4
Interviews

INTERVIEW with UK psychedelic indie rock quintet SUNSTACK JONES

November 25, 2020 Lee Campbell

UK psychedelic indie rock quintet Sunstack Jones have recently released their fourth LP, ‘Golden Repair’ – recorded and engineered by The Verve’s Simon Jones. Lee Campbell had a chat with Chrisy (vocals), Jules (bass) & […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The War On Drugs - LIVE DRUGS
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The War On Drugs – LIVE DRUGS

November 15, 2020 Lee Campbell

Neo-psychedelic rockers, The War on Drugs, led by Philly native Adam Granduciel, return with a collection of live performances, spanning their last six years on the road. LIVE DRUGS encapsulates the evolution of the most […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Amy Macdonald - The Human Demands
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Amy Macdonald – The Human Demands

October 28, 2020 Lee Campbell

The Scottish siren’s fifth LP, The Human Demands finds her confronting the everyday challenges of love, longing, nostalgia, anger, loneliness and self-discovery. Macdonald tells a deeply personal story of relational experiences which has a distinctly […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Bob Mould - Blue Hearts
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Bob Mould – Blue Hearts

September 22, 2020 Lee Campbell

Bob Mould roars back with a blistering volley of protest anthems and introspection. Less than 18 months after the release of his upbeat LP, Sunshine Rock, Mould lets fly with Blue Hearts – a searing, […]

INTERVIEW: Mildlife on new album 'Automatic' - "Its like a gang-bang of different flavours and genres" 6
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Mildlife – Automatic

September 11, 2020 Lee Campbell

Cosmic Aussie quartet Mildlife return with a fine brew of spaced-out, astral grooves. Mildlife are unashamedly driven to completely do their own thing, yet with a very relatable and danceable feel to their musical message. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Humanist - Humanist
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Humanist – Humanist

February 1, 2020 Lee Campbell

‘Humanist’, inspired and created by musician Rob Marshall, brilliantly explores the deep and dark recesses of the human race, supported by an array of ground-breaking artists. As morality, spiralling suicide rates, the fragility of the […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Pet Shop Boys - Hotspot
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot

January 30, 2020 Lee Campbell

Hotspot from the Pet Shop Boys is their open, roller-coaster love-letter to Germany and more specifically, Berlin – a city that has spawned their last three releases, all produced by Stuart Price. Tennant and Lowe […]

LIVE REVIEW: Turin Brakes at the Empire Music Hall, Belfast 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Turin Brakes at the Empire Music Hall, Belfast

January 27, 2020 Lee Campbell

Part of the Out to Lunch winter music festival, Turin Brakes played a superb, stripped-down acoustic gig at the Empire to kick-start Belfast’s weekend. No big surprises in terms of the set-list, but a solid […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Killing Eve Seasons 1 & 2 - Original Series Soundtrack
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Killing Eve Seasons 1 & 2 – Original Series Soundtrack

December 5, 2019 Lee Campbell

David Holmes spearheads this collective effort to brilliantly capture the essence of the award-winning ‘Killing Eve’ series in these dual-release soundtracks. The menace and playful brutality of the female lead character is just pouring out […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lanegan - Somebody's Knocking
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lanegan – Somebody’s Knocking

October 24, 2019 Lee Campbell

My only previous exposure to Mark Lanegan’s music was through his Screaming Trees band as the grunge movement was coming to the fore in the early 90s. For this, his eleventh solo album, I was […]

SIMPLE MINDS announce release of LIVE IN THE CITY OF ANGELS, concert capturing their most successful US tour ever
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Simple Minds – Live in the City of Angels

October 4, 2019 Lee Campbell

Rock veterans Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill are on top form in this live double-album release from Simple Minds. Live albums and decent live albums at that can be challenging to pull off. ‘Live in […]

IN FOCUS// Peter Hook & The Light @ The Limelight, Belfast Saturday 14th September 2019 7
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Peter Hook & The Light @ The Limelight, Belfast Saturday 14th September 2019

September 15, 2019 Lee Campbell

Peter Hook & The Light brought their “Technique & Republic Tour to Belfast on Saturday 14th September 2019. Having toured the albums from Hooky’s previous bands Joy Division and New Order for almost eight years […]

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