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  • Callum Beattie Unveils New Single “Pins and Needles” Ahead of Album “Indi” — Out January 23rd
  • Gipsy Kings Featuring Tonino Baliardo Announce New Album “Historia” — Out May 15th
  • Editors Frontman Tom Smith Brings His Solo Show to Belfast’s Mandela Hall – 6 May 2026
  • The Damned drop second single “See Emily Play” ahead of covers album “Not Like Everybody Else”
  • Oliver Murray on completing “The Beatles Anthology” and bringing Episode Nine to life | XS Noize Podcast #263
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  • News
        • Callum Beattie
          News

          Callum Beattie Unveils New Single “Pins and Needles” Ahead of Album “Indi” — Out January 23rd

          December 5, 2025

          It’s the best time to be Callum Beattie. After selling out a huge sold-out arena date at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro (a gig which saw The Scotsman describe him as “a Caledonian Sam Fender”), his 2026 live plans are upscaling too with a massive […]

          Gipsy Kings
          News

          Gipsy Kings Featuring Tonino Baliardo Announce New Album “Historia” — Out May 15th

          December 5, 2025

          The Grammy Award-winning Gipsy Kings and their leader/founder Tonino Baliardo broke the mould with their self-titled album back in 1987. It was a time when the US and UK charts were almost completely devoid of […]

          tom smith
          News

          Editors Frontman Tom Smith Brings His Solo Show to Belfast’s Mandela Hall – 6 May 2026

          December 4, 2025

          Tom Smith, the unmistakable voice of Editors, will play an intimate headline show at Mandela Hall, Belfast, on 6th May 2026. This rare solo appearance sees Smith performing a selection of brand-new material alongside reimagined […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          Sugar - Copper Blue
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Sugar – Copper Blue: The Singles Collection

          November 28, 2025

          For fans of Sugar – and for anyone who still feels the shockwave of Copper Blue more than three decades on – Copper Blue: The Singles Collection arrives as a dream artefact. Pressed across four […]

          debdepan "Lovers & Others" EP
          Album Reviews

          REVIEW: debdepan “Lovers & Others” EP

          November 27, 2025

          In recent years, the vibrant seaside town of Margate has evolved into a heady blend of coastal charm and DIY creativity — a place where visual artists, musicians and free-thinking makers thrive. It’s the perfect […]

        • 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: Gary Numan Electrifies Rock City with a Powerful, Emotional Performance Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Gary Numan Electrifies Rock City with a Powerful, Emotional Performance

          December 1, 2025

          Gary Numan, one of electronic music’s most enduring and influential pioneers, brought his epic live show to Nottingham’s Rock City on 25 November, and the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. Calling the venue “buzzing” […]

          Drowning Pool Ignite a Packed Rock City with a Heavy-Hitting Nottingham Show Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Drowning Pool Ignite a Packed Rock City with a Heavy-Hitting Nottingham Show

          November 25, 2025

          One of America’s most successful heavy rock exports, Drowning Pool descended on Nottingham’s Rock City on November 19th with a set that hit like a wrecking ball. It was one of the busiest nights the […]

        • 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// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square © Bernie McAllister
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square

          August 17, 2025

          Putting the Fast in Belfast 7 once again proved why it has become a staple of the city’s summer music calendar. A packed Custom House Square buzzed with anticipation as fans from across generations gathered […]

          IN FOCUS// Bryan Adams Brings Joy and Nostalgia to Leeds on ‘Roll With the Punches’ Tour Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Bryan Adams Brings Joy and Nostalgia to Leeds on ‘Roll With the Punches’ Tour

          May 20, 2025

          Legendary Canadian rocker Bryan Adams brought his unstoppable energy to Leeds on May 10th as part of his Roll With the Punches tour — and it was nothing short of a euphoric celebration of life, […]

  • 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
        • 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 […]

          Fabrizio Cammarata
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Fabrizio Cammarata on Solitude, Connection, and the Inner Worlds of His New Album “Insularities”

          October 10, 2025

          Sicilian singer-songwriter Fabrizio Cammarata has returned with Insularities — a quietly profound exploration of connection, isolation, transformation, and memory. The record invites listeners into a space between light and shadow, where grief and love share […]

  • Podcast
        • Oliver Murray
          Podcast

          Oliver Murray on completing “The Beatles Anthology” and bringing Episode Nine to life | XS Noize Podcast #263

          December 4, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Murray — the British writer–director redefining modern music documentary through his bold, cinematic approach. Following his 2023 short film […]

          Steve Lillywhite on the Making of “Fairytale of New York” | XS Noize Podcast #262
          Podcast

          Steve Lillywhite on Making “Fairytale of New York” with Kirsty MacColl & The Pogues | XS Noize Podcast #262

          November 30, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by legendary producer Steve Lillywhite — the Grammy-winning studio mastermind behind iconic records by U2, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, The Smiths, The […]

          The Altered Hours
          Podcast

          The Altered Hours: Cathal Mac Gabhann on Their Stunning New Self-Titled Album | XS Noize Podcast #261

          November 27, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by guitarist and songwriter Cathal Mac Gabhann from Cork alt-rock and shoegaze outfit The Altered Hours — one of Ireland’s most vital underground […]

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  • Michaelbarron

Articles by Michael Barron

Xsnoize Author
Michael Barron
Michael first began writing whilst studying at university; reviewing the latest releases and live gigs. He has since contributed to the Fortean Times as well as other publications. Michael’s musical tastes vary from Indie to psychedelic, folk and dubstep.
Website
Bastille
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Bastille – Songs from The First 15 Years at The O2, London

November 19, 2025 Michael Barron

With three UK number-one albums, a string of major hits, and—impressively—their original core line-up still intact since forming in 2010, now seems the perfect moment for Bastille to take stock of everything they’ve built.  Their […]

ALBUM REVIEW: James – Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: James – Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of

November 19, 2025 Michael Barron

For a band often frozen in the public imagination as ’90s indie heroes, James have spent over four decades proving they are far more than that label suggests. Formed in 1982, the Manchester group have […]

Levellers
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Levellers — Shepherds Bush Empire Zeitgeist 30th Anniversary Tour

November 18, 2025 Michael Barron

When it comes to Levellers albums that fans rally behind, Levelling the Land often steals the spotlight. Its influence is unquestionable. But it’s far from the only record in their catalogue deserving anniversary treatment. This […]

The Dears – Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Dears – Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!

November 4, 2025 Michael Barron

The title of Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! wasn’t born from looking ahead but from looking back. During The Dears’ 20th anniversary tour of No Cities Left, frontman Murray Lightburn was […]

Bob Dylan
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Bob Dylan – Through The Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 (1956–1963)

October 30, 2025 Michael Barron

There are countless artists rightly celebrated as prolific contributors to music who haven’t released anywhere near eighteen albums — let alone eighteen compilations of rarities, B-sides, and outtakes. With Through The Open Window, Bob Dylan […]

LIVE REVIEW: Graham Nash Brings Timeless Harmony and Heart to the London Palladium
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Graham Nash Brings Timeless Harmony and Heart to the London Palladium

October 21, 2025 Michael Barron

Many artists proudly boast of having special guests on their tours, but few can introduce one with the grace and humility of Graham Nash. Best known for his pivotal roles in The Hollies and Crosby, […]

Idlewild
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Idlewild at KOKO: Thirty Years On, Still Fierce, Poetic, and Brilliantly Alive

October 20, 2025 Michael Barron

Just three years ago, Idlewild celebrated the 20th anniversary of their most successful album, The Remote Part. Hearing that LP performed in full brought a wave of halcyon nostalgia to fans who have followed the […]

Divine comedy
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: The Divine Comedy Illuminate the Barbican with ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ and Timeless Wit

October 13, 2025 Michael Barron

For some, thirteen is an unlucky number. But for The Divine Comedy, their thirteenth studio album Rainy Sunday Afternoon — recorded in Abbey Road’s Studio 3 — proves anything but cursed. As the band took […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Robert Plant with Suzi Dian – Saving Grace
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Robert Plant with Suzi Dian – Saving Grace

September 26, 2025 Michael Barron

Robert Plant’s latest project, Saving Grace, takes its name from the band he assembled in 2019 to play Americana covers in small venues across Britain. Though it has been eight years since his last solo […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Maccabees – All Points East
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: The Maccabees – All Points East

August 26, 2025 Michael Barron

As All Points East drew to its final weekend, so too did the clouds of dust kicked up by Victoria Park’s well-trodden fields—so much so that a weather warning was issued, sending many festivalgoers scrambling […]

LIVE REVIEW: RAYE – All Points East, Victoria Park, Mile End
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: RAYE – All Points East, Victoria Park, Mile End

August 25, 2025 Michael Barron

RAYE may have narrowly missed out on the 2023 Mercury Prize for her debut My 21st Century Blues, but her sweep of six BRIT Awards the following year more than confirmed her as one of […]

LIVE REVIEW: Barry Can’t Swim – All Points East, Victoria Park, Mile End
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Barry Can’t Swim – All Points East, Victoria Park, Mile End

August 25, 2025 Michael Barron

All Points East has always prided itself on curating a forward-thinking electronic bill, and this year was no exception. Chase & Status set Victoria Park alight with their trademark mix of drum ’n’ bass and […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins - Parasites & Butterflies
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins – Parasites & Butterflies

August 20, 2025 Michael Barron

Following the breakout success of their aptly named sophomore album Supernova (2022), Nova Twins — Amy Love and Georgia South — found themselves facing a new kind of pressure. “We had to figure out a […]

Chase & Status
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Chase & Status – All Points East, Victoria Park

August 18, 2025 Michael Barron

Dance and electronic music have steadily carved out their place at Victoria Park, and All Points East 2025 proved no exception. Following on from LCD Soundsystem’s 2024 showcase, which paired them with acts like Joy […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley - Coles Corner (20th Anniversary)
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – Coles Corner (20th Anniversary)

August 6, 2025 Michael Barron

When Coles Corner arrived in 2005, Richard Hawley had recently moved from Setanta to Mute Records, but musically, he was still rooted in the same soil — Sheffield. On paper, it could have been dismissed […]

LIVE REVIEW: Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts BST Hyde Park, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts BST Hyde Park, London

July 14, 2025 Michael Barron

The first four headliners of this year’s BST Hyde Park festival were all under thirty, celebrating the energy and optimism of youth. But with Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts joined by Cat Stevens (Yusuf […]

LIVE REVIEW: Stevie Wonder BST Hyde Park, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Stevie Wonder BST Hyde Park, London

July 14, 2025 Michael Barron

Having been awarded every major honour from the Polar Music Prize to the Wolf Prize, Stevie Wonder needs no introduction. Less known, however, is his warm relationship with main support act Ezra Collective. Back in […]

Sabrina Carpenter
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Sabrina Carpenter lights up Hyde Park with a playful, fearless pop spectacle

July 7, 2025 Michael Barron

Sabrina Carpenter’s recent controversies — including the provocative cover art for her upcoming 2025 album Man’s Best Friend — have sparked countless opinion pieces accusing her of being too sexual, attention-seeking, or even superficial. But […]

NoahKahan
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: From 77 to 65,000: Noah Kahan’s Emotional Triumph at Hyde Park

July 7, 2025 Michael Barron

When Noah Kahan first came to the UK in 2017, he played to just 77 people. Fast forward eight years, and he’s standing in front of 65,000 fans at London’s Hyde Park — a mind-blowing […]

LIVE REVIEW: Zach Bryan Ignites Hyde Park: A Night of Heartfelt Anthems and Raw Connection
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Zach Bryan Ignites Hyde Park: A Night of Heartfelt Anthems and Raw Connection

June 30, 2025 Michael Barron

Zach Bryan went the extra mile to connect with his British fans at BST Hyde Park, setting the tone from the very start by choosing Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” as his walk-on music. Rather […]

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