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  • Midge Ure Announces New Album ‘A Man Of Two Worlds’ — Out May 8
  • INTERVIEW: Elles Bailey on the Story Behind ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’
  • Alison Moyet to Play Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on November 3rd 2026
  • Steve Lillywhite on Producing U2 — From Boy to Achtung Baby & Beyond | XS Noize Podcast #274
  • Nerina Pallot Announces Biggest Ever Headline Show at Royal Albert Hall to Celebrate 25 Years of Music
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  • News
        • Midge Ure
          News

          Midge Ure Announces New Album ‘A Man Of Two Worlds’ — Out May 8

          March 10, 2026

          Today (10 March), acclaimed musician, producer, and songwriter Midge Ure announces his new album A Man Of Two Worlds, due for release on 8 May. In recent years Midge Ure has spent his time playing live, and not […]

          Alison Moyet
          News

          Alison Moyet to Play Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on November 3rd 2026

          March 9, 2026

          After 2024’s ‘Key’ album prompted a rediscovery of her solo catalogue and her first Top 10 chart position in eleven years, Alison Moyet now announces details of a unique UK and European headline tour which […]

          Nerina Pallot
          News

          Nerina Pallot Announces Biggest Ever Headline Show at Royal Albert Hall to Celebrate 25 Years of Music

          March 6, 2026

          The BRIT and Ivor Novello nominee Nerina Pallot is in the midst of an organic resurgence. Building a powerful personal connection directly with fans led to her selling out the London Palladium in 2024 – […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Harry Styles - Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Harry Styles – Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally

          March 6, 2026

          The moment has arrived at last for Harry Styles fans. Cool haircuts, ballet pumps, marathons, Italian cookery and an impeccably trousered appearance at the Brit Awards can all be set aside as HS4 has finally […]

          The Enemy - Social Disguises
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Enemy – Social Disguises

          March 4, 2026

          The long-dormant gears of Coventry’s favourite sons have finally ground back into motion. After the sleek, perhaps overly-polished synth-pop detour of 2015’s It’s Automatic, a record that left the band questioning their relevance and drifting […]

        • 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: Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins Unite for War Child at London’s Emerald Theatre Credit Wiktoria Wolny
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins Unite for War Child at London’s Emerald Theatre

          February 26, 2026

          In the heart of London’s Embankment, the recently opened Emerald Theatre feels part The Great Gatsby, part Emerald City — lavish, theatrical and unapologetically opulent. The room glows in rich green tones and, with its […]

          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 […]

        • 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
        • 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. […]

          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 […]

  • Podcast
        • Steve Lillywhite on Producing U2 — From Boy to Achtung Baby & Beyond | XS Noize Podcast #274
          Podcast

          Steve Lillywhite on Producing U2 — From Boy to Achtung Baby & Beyond | XS Noize Podcast #274

          March 8, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with legendary U2 producer Steve Lillywhite to discuss his remarkable career working with the band and the creative process behind iconic albums including […]

          The Dream Machine
          Podcast

          “We’re Always Making Music for Ourselves” — The Dream Machine on ‘Fort Perch Rock’ | XS Noize Podcast #273

          March 4, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Zak and Matty from The Dream Machine to talk about Fort Perch Rock — the band’s third studio album and a record […]

          credit Yagub Allahverdiyev
          Podcast

          Archive’s Dave Pen on ‘Glass Minds’ and evolving after 30 years | XS Noize Podcast #272

          February 24, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Dave Pen of Archive to talk about Glass Minds — the band’s 13th studio album and a bold new chapter in a […]

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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: Hitsville UK By John Riordan and Dan Cox
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Hitsville UK By John Riordan and Dan Cox

February 13, 2020 Michael Barron

Originally released as comic segments annually as a seven-part series; these parts have now formed together to be released as a full-length graphic novel. As the title “Hitsville UK” indicates – this is a book […]

LIVE REVIEW: Howie Payne at Old Queens Head, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Howie Payne at Old Queens Head, London

February 6, 2020 Michael Barron

Howie Payne’s gigs of late have been one-man shows. So when Howie announced that he was doing his first full-band live show at the one hundred and eighty capacity venue, the Old Queens Head; this […]

LIVE REVIEW: Beverley Knight at Camden Roundhouse, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Beverley Knight at Camden Roundhouse, London

February 2, 2020 Michael Barron

Following Anaïs Mitchell’s outstanding performance at this years’  “In the Round” festival; Beverley Knight played out “In the Round” spectacularly. As part of a ten-piece band consisting of herself and a brass section and backing […]

LIVE REVIEW: Anaïs Mitchell at Camden Roundhouse, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Anaïs Mitchell at Camden Roundhouse, London

February 1, 2020 Michael Barron

To celebrate the fifth year of the “In the Round” festival at the Camden Roundhouse XS Noize was invited back to hear the best of what the 2020 line up had to offer. With previous […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Eminem - Music to Be Murdered By
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Eminem – Music to Be Murdered By

January 20, 2020 Michael Barron

Opening with “Premonition – Intro” – Eminem cuts to the chase concerning his bitterness over his previous LP, his tenth, Kamikaze not getting the reviews he expected. We see Slim Shady looking back over his […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Sam Lee - Old Wow
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Sam Lee – Old Wow

January 13, 2020 Michael Barron

Defining Sam Lee is a very onerous task as he is much more than just a folk musician. Lee has studied fine art, worked as a forager and wilderness expert and been a part-time burlesque […]

BOOK REVIEW: BOWIE: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams By Michael Allred, Steve Horton and Laura Allred 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: BOWIE: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams By Michael Allred, Steve Horton and Laura Allred

January 2, 2020 Michael Barron

The legacy of David Bowie’s death has been honoured with countless books, being chosen as the first solo artist to feature on an entire Royal Mail stamp set, having his own Trump card game and […]

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

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

December 17, 2019 Michael Barron

In part one of “The Golden Sheep” we were introduced to Tsugu, a girl who loves her electric guitar so much, that, along with her amp, it was the first thing she unpacked when she […]

THE ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE return with their 5th album ‘Stages’ - released on January 8th 2020
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Electric Soft Parade – Stages

December 17, 2019 Michael Barron

As The Electric Soft Parade has aged, the wait between albums has increased with almost seven years separating Stages and their previous fourth LP, IDIOTS. As extensive as this wait has been; The Electric Soft […]

BOOK REVIEW: Hardcore Anxiety: A Graphic Guide to Punk Rock and Mental Health By Reid Chancellor
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Hardcore Anxiety: A Graphic Guide to Punk Rock and Mental Health By Reid Chancellor

December 13, 2019 Michael Barron

Musician, hard-core and metal enthusiast Reid Chancellor initially conceived Hardcore Anxiety as a book about the venues and artists that changed his life. Reid then found he could do so much more with this book […]

LIVE REVIEW: Fontaines D.C. @ Rough Trade East, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Fontaines D.C. @ Rough Trade East, London

December 4, 2019 Michael Barron

Back in April, Dublin post-punk band Fontaines D.C. released their debut LP, Dogrel. What made (and still makes) Dogrel such a mesmerising album, wasn’t Dogrel’s innovation; but its authenticity, passion and ability to excite listeners […]

ALBUM REVIEW: IDLES - A Beautiful Thing: Live at Le Bataclan
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: IDLES – A Beautiful Thing: Live at Le Bataclan

December 2, 2019 Michael Barron

2019 has undoubtedly been a fantastic year for this Bristolian five-piece post-punk band. For virtually every music award in existence; there was at least one Idles nomination. Idles were nominated a record five times at […]

ELECTRIC SIX announce headline show at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire London on 30th November
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Electric Six – Live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London

December 1, 2019 Michael Barron

In 2003, Detroit six-piece, Electric Six, became a household name in the UK with hits from their debut LP, Fire, including “Danger! High Voltage”, “Dance Commander” and lest we forget “Gay Bar”. Whilst their commercial […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Who - WHO
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Who – WHO

December 1, 2019 Michael Barron

Who is the first LP The Who has released in thirteen years. Sounds like a long time? However, waiting is nothing new for The Who fans. Fans had to wait twenty-four years between their 1982 […]

BOOK REVIEW: Mozart in Paris by Frantz Duchazeua
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Mozart in Paris by Frantz Duchazeua

November 27, 2019 Michael Barron

Mozart was not Parisian, let alone French; he was German. Mozart’s time in Paris was brief (lasting just over six months in 1778) and for the most part was miserable. His most reputable works including […]

LIVE REVIEW: Kodaline with Patrick Martin @ Camden Roundhouse, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Kodaline with Patrick Martin @ Camden Roundhouse, London

November 19, 2019 Michael Barron

Adorned in black with bright ruby-red shoes, and despite this being his first European tour; American solo artist, Patrick Martin, received a tremendous round of applause from the sardine-packed, yet ecstatic, Roundhouse. Despite Martin’s youth […]

GAME REVIEW: Music Night Board Game 1
Book Reviews

GAME REVIEW: Music Night Board Game

November 13, 2019 Michael Barron

XS Noize has shown that there is so much more to music than live music and physical music releases. We have introduced to graphic novels and card games, and now we proudly review our first […]

BOOK REVIEW: The Song of the Machine By David Blot and Mathias Cousin
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Song of the Machine By David Blot and Mathias Cousin

November 5, 2019 Michael Barron

The history and development of The Song of the Machine is almost as fascinating as the book itself. Mathias Cousin thought of the idea of producing a graphic novel back in 1995 before there were […]

LIVE REVIEW: SYML @ Kings Cross Scala, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: SYML @ Kings Cross Scala, London

October 30, 2019 Michael Barron

SYML means “Simple” in Welsh, however, whilst this solo project of Brian Fennel (Barcelona) is pure and honest; the electronic and haunting mystical innovations (alongside organic instruments such as the acoustic guitar) make this outfit […]

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

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

October 20, 2019 Michael Barron

The manga graphic novel is nothing new, it originated in Japan many decades ago. Unfortunately few manga graphic novels (especially not music related manga novels) get translated into English so an audience outside Japan can’t […]

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