Skip to main content
Trending
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Eve Adams – American Dust
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins – Parasites & Butterflies
  • Hothouse Flowers Announced as Headliners for Belfast Maritime Festival – Saturday 6th September
  • The National’s Matt Berninger on His New Solo Album ‘Get Sunk’ & European Tour | XS Noize Podcast #241
  • Grammy-Winning Star Cam Announces ‘The Slow Down Tour’ With Dates In Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham & London
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Hothouse Flowers
          News

          Hothouse Flowers Announced as Headliners for Belfast Maritime Festival – Saturday 6th September

          August 20, 2025

          Belfast Maritime Festival returns on the 6th-7th September with a brand-new addition to its programme- an evening music gig. In an exciting first for the festival, legendary Irish rock band Hothouse Flowers will headline the […]

          Cam
          News

          Grammy-Winning Star Cam Announces ‘The Slow Down Tour’ With Dates In Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham & London

          August 19, 2025

          Today, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Cam has announced a headline tour through the US, UK, and EU, dubbed The Slow Down Tour. The US dates kick off on October 20th at The Gramercy Theatre in NY, making stops in Chicago, Nashville, […]

          picture this
          News

          PICTURE THIS Announce Huge Christmas Shows at Dublin’s 3Arena & Belfast’s SSE Arena

          August 19, 2025

          PICTURE THIS have announced details of a major Belfast show this Christmas. The band will play the SSE Arena, Belfast, on 27th and the 3Arena, Dublin on 29th December 2025 as part of their special […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Eve Adams – American Dust
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Eve Adams – American Dust

          August 20, 2025

          On American Dust, Eve Adams draws inspiration from her years living in the high desert of California—a landscape where wind and sand coat everything in a veil of history. “The same swirling dust that clung […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins - Parasites & Butterflies
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins – Parasites & Butterflies

          August 20, 2025

          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 […]

        • 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

          Chase & Status
          Live Reviews

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

          August 18, 2025

          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 […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Ferocious Dog at The Fire Station, Sunderland Credit: Iam Burn
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Ferocious Dog at The Fire Station, Sunderland

          August 18, 2025

          The Fire Station in Sunderland has been running a season of outdoor performances called ‘Summer Parties’ throughout August. Think of it as a festival across a month instead of lots of performers in one day. […]

        • 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
        • 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 […]

          Tokio Hotel
          Gigs

          Everything you need to know about seeing Tokio Hotel perform in London

          August 16, 2025

          Get ready for an electrifying performance as the German rock band Tokio Hotel will begin their 2026 global run with a show at the iconic OVO Hydro Arena in London. Tokio Hotel is a German […]

          Lady Gaga
          Gigs

          Possible setlist for Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball Tour show in London

          August 13, 2025

          The enigmatic Lady Gaga is redefining the art of live performance with her highly anticipated Mayhem Ball Tour which began in July 2025. This is her first arena tour since 2018, bringing a theatrical, gothic-inspired […]

  • Interviews
        • Asha Maclean
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Asha Maclean on Her Single “Yoga,” Creative Roots, and Staying True to Herself

          June 25, 2025

          Asha Maclean grew up in a deeply creative household, so it’s little surprise that she emerged as a multitalented artist in her own right. Immersed in music and dance from a young age, she first […]

          DURAN DURAN
          Interviews

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

          June 19, 2025

          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 […]

          Stephen Moore
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Stephen Moore on Post Death Soundtrack’s New Album & HE IS ME

          June 12, 2025

          Post Death Soundtrack, the musical project of Stephen Moore, recently unveiled his fifth album, IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE, a 30-track collection of songs ranging across the stylistic spectrum, including rock, Gothic rock, […]

  • Podcast
        • Matt Berninger (The National) on His New Solo Album ‘Get Sunk’ | XS Noize Podcast #241
          Podcasts

          The National’s Matt Berninger on His New Solo Album ‘Get Sunk’ & European Tour | XS Noize Podcast #241

          August 20, 2025

          In Episode #241 of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar chats with Matt Berninger — frontman of The National and acclaimed solo artist — about his brand-new album Get Sunk. Best known for his […]

          The Subways
          Podcasts

          The Subways: 20 Years of ‘Young For Eternity’ & What’s Next | XS Noize Podcast #240

          August 13, 2025

          In Episode #240 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Billy Lunn and Charlotte Cooper,  from The Subways, to mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album Young For Eternity and the […]

          XS Noize Podcast #239 – Bob Stanley on Saint Etienne’s final album International
          Podcasts

          Bob Stanley on Saint Etienne’s Final Album “International” and 30 Years of Music | XS Noize Podcast #239

          August 6, 2025

          In Episode #239 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Bob Stanley from Saint Etienne to discuss the legendary band’s 13th and final album, International. For over 30 years, Saint Etienne have […]

  • About Us
  • Contribute
  • Home
  • Author
  • Michaelbarron
  • Page
  • 13

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
BOOK REVIEW: The Book of Drexciya: Volume One by Abdul Qadim Haqq and Dai Satō
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Book of Drexciya: Volume One by Abdul Qadim Haqq and Dai Satō

August 4, 2020 Michael Barron

One of the most notable techno and electro acts that came out of 1980s Detroit was James Stinson and Gerald Donald’s project Drexciya. Noted for being “more productive than many of their peers”, releasing scores […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Coronas - True Love Waits
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Coronas – True Love Waits

July 28, 2020 Michael Barron

Towards the end of 2019 guitarist, Dave McPhillips decided to quit the band after being with The Coronas for over a decade. Despite the melancholy reaction, this news received from the remaining band members and […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Fontaines D.C. - A Hero’s Death
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death

July 23, 2020 Michael Barron

In 2019 Fontaines D.C. released their acclaimed debut LP Dogrel earning the quintet the 2019 XS Noize Album of the year.  One year later A Hero’s Death is released promising to “kill some people’s ideas […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Asylums - Genetic Cabaret
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Asylums – Genetic Cabaret

July 9, 2020 Michael Barron

In 2018 after five years straight of touring and turbulence and releasing two LP’s; Southend-On-Sea based four-piece Asylums took six months off. Following a successful application for a grant from the PRS Foundation to make […]

BOOK REVIEW: Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell

July 6, 2020 Michael Barron

Utopia Avenue is the ninth novel by David Mitchell but is his first attempt at delving into the labyrinth of the late 1960’s music scene. From the opening line Mitchell festoons this novel with music […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Burning Condors - Live at Cowshed
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Burning Condors – Live at Cowshed

July 6, 2020 Michael Barron

When East London four-piece Lahayna split up in 2009 three quarters of Lahayna (Matthew Edun (guitar & backing vocals), Chris Church (bass & backing vocals) and Rory Littlebury (drums & percussion) joined forces with Marcus […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young - Homegrown
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young – Homegrown

June 22, 2020 Michael Barron

Initially scheduled for release in 1975 but shelved and replaced by Tonight’s the Night because Homegrown was “a little too personal” for Neil at the time is now being released. With legendary musicians, Levon Helm […]

BOOK REVIEW: Paul is Dead: When The Beatles Lost McCartney By Paolo Baron and Ernesto Carbonetti 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Paul is Dead: When The Beatles Lost McCartney By Paolo Baron and Ernesto Carbonetti

June 15, 2020 Michael Barron

If one is interested in finding out more about the Paul is Dead (P.I.D.) conspiracy theory Paul is Dead: When The Beatles Lost McCartney is not the best place to start looking. Paul is Dead […]

FEATURE: Pop Rocks vinyl figures 1
Features

FEATURE: Pop Rocks vinyl figures

June 9, 2020 Michael Barron

Andy Warhol brought us “Pop Art”, the BBC brought us “Top of the Pops”, Kellogg’s introduced us to “Snap, Crackle and Pop” and Simon Fuller brought us erm… “Pop Idol”. Now Funko has done something […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The 1975 - Notes on a Conditional Form
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The 1975 – Notes on a Conditional Form

May 18, 2020 Michael Barron

In an age where advertisers are told to keep their messages and sales pitches as concise as possible which has resulted in an increase in one-word titled LP’s and a surge of albums with seldom […]

BOOK REVIEW: Bob Marley in Comics by Sophie Blitman and Gaet's
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Bob Marley in Comics by Sophie Blitman and Gaet’s

May 11, 2020 Michael Barron

The word “Reggae” has different connotations for various people, but for Bob Marley, the word didn’t even have African or Caribbean connotations, let alone Jamaican; Marley traced this word to Spain which means “King’s music”. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Sparks - A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Sparks – A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip

May 7, 2020 Michael Barron

With a career spanning over five decades and with Ron and Russell both being brothers, their ability to still be amicable to each other (let alone collaborate and make music together whilst trying to “Lighten […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Dears - Lovers Rock
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Dears – Lovers Rock

May 5, 2020 Michael Barron

There’s a direct line between the sort of doominess of No Cities Left and this album (Lovers Rock),” says frontman Murray. A. Lightburn. “You could go straight from Lovers Rock to No Cities Left and […]

BOOK REVIEW: J&K By John Pham
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: J&K By John Pham

May 4, 2020 Michael Barron

One expects many things from a graphic novel: deftly drawn original artwork; exciting plots and garrulous text abridged for comic speech and thought bubbles and an original theme. “J&K” goes even further and introduces readers […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Thundercat - It Is What It Is
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Thundercat – It Is What It Is

April 23, 2020 Michael Barron

Stephen Lee Bruner aka Thundercat is best known for producing Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly earning Lee a Grammy. However there so much more to this jazz enthusiast than this.  Despite being […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Enter Shikari - Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Enter Shikari – Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible

April 1, 2020 Michael Barron

Beyond having a tenacious work ethic evidenced by Enter Shikari’s gruelling 2019 tour schedule (including their War Child show at The Dome) and releasing the standalone single “Stop the Clocks”; Enter Shikari’s strongest characteristic is […]

BOOK REVIEW: The Golden Sheep (part three) By Kaori Ozaki
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Golden Sheep (part three) By Kaori Ozaki

March 15, 2020 Michael Barron

After three months the wait to find out what happened to Tsugu, Sora, Yuushin and Sally (Asari) is now finally over. Music lovers were hooked line and sinker from the opening scene in part one […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Morrissey - I Am Not A Dog On A Chain
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Morrissey – I Am Not A Dog On A Chain

March 15, 2020 Michael Barron

When Morrissey released his last album, California Son, there was much hype around this release. The hype did not centre on the collaborators who joined Morrissey on this cover album such as Billie Joe Armstrong (Green […]

LIVE REVIEW: Morrissey Live at Wembley Arena
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Morrissey Live at Wembley Arena

March 15, 2020 Michael Barron

Amidst the packed Wembley arena, it is hard to believe that we living in a coronavirus pandemic or that the ongoing boycotts against Morrissey were taking place. There was no support act, instead, fans watched […]

EDITORS unveil stunning video for 'Upside Down' - Watch Now
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Editors at Wembley Arena, London

March 1, 2020 Michael Barron

You know a band has made it when following the release of six LP’s and a greatest hits album they can embark upon a series of arena dates. Like their debut album The Back Room, […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 12 13 14 … 20 »

LATEST REVIEWS

  • ALBUM REVIEW: Eve Adams – American Dust
    ALBUM REVIEW: Eve Adams – American Dust
    August 20, 2025
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins - Parasites & Butterflies
    ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins – Parasites & Butterflies
    August 20, 2025
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2
    ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2
    August 13, 2025
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley - Coles Corner (20th Anniversary)
    ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – Coles Corner (20th Anniversary)
    August 6, 2025
  • REVIEW: Blusher EP – RACER
    REVIEW: Blusher – RACER EP
    July 29, 2025
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time
    ALBUM REVIEW: Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time
    July 23, 2025

TOP UK MUSIC BLOG 2025

Vuelio Top 10 Blog 2025 - XS Noize

Trending

  • Oasis
    How much could Oasis earn from their 2025 tour? 
  • CLANNAD announces The Dublin Farewell Show live at 3Arena Dublin
    CLANNAD announces The Dublin Farewell Show live at 3Arena Dublin
  • Coldplay
    6 of Coldplay’s best-selling songs of all time
  • Tom Smith
    Tom Smith of Editors announces debut solo album ‘There Is Nothing in the Dark Which Isn’t There in the Light’
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2
    ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2
  • Oasis
    Future of Oasis: Where does the band go after the 2025 tour?
  • Oasis
    Oasis’ top 9 best-selling songs
  • CLANNAD announce Irish tour dates as part of their 50th Anniversary Farewell Tour
    CLANNAD announce Irish tour dates as part of their 50th Anniversary Farewell Tour
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • Youtube
  • instagram
  • Spotify
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2024 | XS Noize. Website by Skyhaven Media