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  • Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, announces Belfast show
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta – Cut A Silhouette
  • Inspiral Carpets announce ‘Burn Like The Sun’ – their first studio album in 12 years
  • Faithless Announce Special Guests For CHSq Belfast Show With Phil Hartnoll, Justin Robertson & Marion Hawkes
  • American hard rock band Clutch announce Belfast show at Telegraph Building
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Julian Marley
          News

          Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, announces Belfast show

          May 29, 2026

          Born in London, England on June 4, 1975, Julian Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Barbados-born Lucy Pounder. Growing up as a youth in a musical atmosphere, the Grammy Award Nominated […]

          Inspiral Carpets
          News

          Inspiral Carpets announce ‘Burn Like The Sun’ – their first studio album in 12 years

          May 29, 2026

          Inspiral Carpets announce Burn Like The Sun – their first studio album in 12 years, out January 29th, 2027 via Scruff of the Neck Records. The band have unveiled a special announcement video, narrated by […]

          Faithless
          News

          Faithless Announce Special Guests For CHSq Belfast Show With Phil Hartnoll, Justin Robertson & Marion Hawkes

          May 28, 2026

          Dance pioneers Faithless are back with their biggest Belfast headline show to date at Custom House Square on Thursday 20th August 2026, alongside very special guests, Phil Hartnoll (Orbital), Justin Robertson and Marion Hawkes. Few […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta - Cut A Silhouette
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta – Cut A Silhouette

          May 29, 2026

          Having spent two decades parsing the shifting sands of alternative rock, it takes something genuinely striking to cut through the noise. Enter Sparta’s latest offering, Cut A Silhouette. Spanning ten tracks across an urgent 33 […]

          Mull Historical Society
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Mull Historical Society – In My Mind There’s a Photograph

          May 26, 2026

          For Mull Historical Society’s last album, Colin MacIntyre — who is, in essence, Mull Historical Society — invited acclaimed authors to write lyrics for his musical compositions. The result was 2023’s In My Mind There’s […]

        • 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

          Lone Assembly
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Lone Assembly bring dark synthpop and post-punk atmosphere to London’s MOTH Club

          May 27, 2026

          When a proposed property development threatened the future of the 300-capacity MOTH Club, the support to save it far exceeded the venue’s maximum attendance. Around 30,000 people signed a petition to protect the much-loved Hackney […]

          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 […]

        • 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
        • robert arkins - the commitments
          Podcast

          Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286

          May 25, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Robert Arkins, best known to millions as Jimmy Rabbitte in Alan Parker’s classic 1991 film The Commitments. Robert joins Mark for […]

          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 […]

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Articles by Marcus Millar

LIVE REVIEW: Built to Spill - Workman’s Club, Dublin
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Built to Spill – Workman’s Club, Dublin

May 1, 2019 Marcus Millar

Along with the likes of Pavement and Modest Mouse; Built to Spill are one of Indie’s most revered bands that never made as big of a mark as they should have. Coming to the Workman’s […]

LIVE REVIEW: IDLES play to an ecstatic crowd in awe at their presence at Belfast Empire
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: IDLES play to an ecstatic crowd in awe at their presence at Belfast Empire

April 3, 2019 Marcus Millar

Hot off the heels of their massively acclaimed sophomore album, Joy As An Act of Resistance, IDLES played to a sold out crowd at The Empire and didn’t disappoint one bit! The band opened with […]

LIVE REVIEW: Yo La Tengo - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 28/4/18
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Yo La Tengo – Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 28/4/18

May 1, 2018 Marcus Millar

Yo La Tengo brings the sounds of their new album There’s A Riot Goin’ On as well as a slew of their greatest hits to Dublin’s Olympia Theatre and make for the most compelling live […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Guided By Voices - 'Space Gun'
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Guided By Voices – ‘Space Gun’

April 25, 2018 Marcus Millar

As some might say, “another day, another Guided By Voices record,” and it’s something I don’t fault them for. Since the early ’80s, Robert Pollard along with a constantly changing line-up has been releasing some […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Frankie Cosmos - 'Vessel'
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Frankie Cosmos – ‘Vessel’

April 5, 2018 Marcus Millar

“Vessel” is the new album from established New York Twee outfit Frankie Cosmos and their first on famed Indie label Sub Pop. While “Vessel” might just be the band’s most instrumentally refined album yet, it doesn’t […]

AMERICAN FOOTBALL - Share video for 'Home is Where the Haunt is'
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: American Football – Sept 4th | Dublin, IE @ Button Factory

September 7, 2017 Marcus Millar

Coming right off of their 2014 reunion tour and the release of their eagerly anticipated sophomore record, Midwest Emo legends American Football play their first ever Irish show and they did not disappoint at all. […]

Album Review: Xiu Xiu - Forget
Album Reviews

Album Review: Xiu Xiu – Forget

March 9, 2017 Marcus Millar

Forget is the 13th album from Jamie Stewart’s long running Art / Experimental Rock project, Xiu Xiu, and serves as a glaring reminder to the sounds that made me fall in love with the project […]

Album Review: Owen - The King of Whys
Album Reviews

Album Review: Owen – The King of Whys

August 5, 2016 Marcus Millar

Two years after the heavily acclaimed reunion tour of his original and most popular project, American Football, Mike Kinsella is back with his ninth solo offering under the Owen moniker and it might just be […]

ALBUM REVIEW: WEEZER - WEEZER (The White Album)
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: WEEZER – WEEZER (The White Album)

April 24, 2016 Marcus Millar

It’s absolutely impossible to talk about Weezer without making mention of the massive impact they had with their first two albums; the first of these two had some of the brightest and catchiest songs of […]

ALBUM REVIEW: DIIV - IS THE IS ARE
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: DIIV – IS THE IS ARE

February 15, 2016 Marcus Millar

Is The Is Are is the highly anticipated and long awaited sophomore album from the New York Jangle Pop pioneers, DIIV. It comes four years after their critically acclaimed debut Oshin, an album that drew […]

ALBUM REVIEW: ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER - Garden of Delete
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER – Garden of Delete

November 10, 2015 Marcus Millar

Oneohtrix Point Never is one of the many pseudonyms of electronic music producer Daniel Lopatin. Garden of Delete is his 8th full length release under the Oneohtrix Point Never name. Following a series of fantastic […]

ALBUM REVIEW: CAR SEAT HEADREST - TEENS OF STYLE
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: CAR SEAT HEADREST – TEENS OF STYLE

November 9, 2015 Marcus Millar

I was introduced to Car Seat Headrest by a friend around this time last year, mainly the Twin Fantasy album; he kept going on about how it was one of the best things he had […]

ALBUM REVIEW: YO LA TENGO – "Stuff Like That There"
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: YO LA TENGO at the National Concert Hall, Dublin

October 22, 2015 Marcus Millar

  Yo La Tengo brought the material from their new covers album, ‘Stuff Like That There,’ to Dublin with great success as well as playing a range of other covers and stripped back versions tracks […]

ALBUM REVIEW: WAVVES - V
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: WAVVES – V

October 11, 2015 Marcus Millar

Wavves are a band I have followed since I heard their brilliant third album, King of the Beach, it was released to widespread critical acclaim in 2010. The album was a very fun and summery […]

LIVE REVIEW: SWANS - MANDELA HALL, BELFAST
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: SWANS – MANDELA HALL, BELFAST

June 18, 2015 Marcus Millar

Swans are notorious for being one of the loudest and most brutal live acts ever and while they have greatly differentiated and softened up over the past thirty years, they show absolutely no sign of […]

LATEST PODCASTS

  • robert arkins - the commitments
    Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286
    May 25, 2026
  • 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
    May 5, 2026
  • Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
    Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
    April 29, 2026
  • 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
    April 22, 2026

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