Skip to main content
Trending
  • Placebo Share Reworked ‘Lady of the Flowers’ From Forthcoming Album Placebo Re:Created
  • Peter Gabriel Shares New Track ‘Won’t Stand Down’ From Forthcoming Album o\i
  • 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’
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Placebo
          News

          Placebo Share Reworked ‘Lady of the Flowers’ From Forthcoming Album Placebo Re:Created

          May 1, 2026

          Today, Placebo release the newly reworked version of Lady of the Flowers, the second track to be shared from their forthcoming new album Placebo Re:Created, set for release 19th June 2026 via Elevator Lady Ltd through AWAL. Listen to Lady of the Flowers […]

          Peter Gabriel
          News

          Peter Gabriel Shares New Track ‘Won’t Stand Down’ From Forthcoming Album o\i

          May 1, 2026

          The flower moon of 1 May, 2026 is the first of two full moons in the month, and with it comes the release of the fifth song from Peter Gabriel’s forthcoming album o\i. Won’t Stand […]

          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 […]

  • 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 […]

  • About Us
  • Contribute
  • Home
  • Author
  • Michaelbarron
  • Page
  • 15

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
LIVE REVIEW: Bastille at London Palladium, War Child UK
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Bastille at London Palladium, War Child UK

February 23, 2020 Michael Barron

Last year XS Noize had great pleasure in reviewing BRITs Week who together with O2 has brought some of the renowned acts including Ed Sheeran, alt-J and Enter Shikari who blew away the 500 capacity […]

LIVE REVIEW: Dropkick Murphys at Alexandra Palace, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Dropkick Murphys at Alexandra Palace, London

February 22, 2020 Michael Barron

Being on the cusp of becoming a quarter of a century old and three years and counting since they released an LP; people would naturally question if the Boston boys would be coming back. However […]

SAM LEE releases the official video for ‘The Garden Of England’ - Watch Now 2
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Sam Lee at EartH, Hackney, London

February 18, 2020 Michael Barron

As the crowd entered the seven hundred and fifty capacity Evolutionary Arts Hackney venue one could not miss a slogan deliberately laid down on the stage: “No Music On A Dead Planet”. It was clear […]

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 […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 14 15 16 … 21 »

LATEST PODCASTS

  • 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
  • Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280
    Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280
    April 14, 2026
  • The Boxer Rebellion
    The Boxer Rebellion on ‘The Second I’m Asleep’ and the reset that brought them back | XS Noize Podcast #279
    April 7, 2026
  • The Dandy Warhols
    Courtney Taylor-Taylor on Pin Ups, Dig! and taking back The Dandy Warhols narrative | XS Noize Podcast #278
    April 1, 2026
  • Scouting For Girls
    Scouting For Girls’ Roy Stride on ‘These Are The Good Days’ and finding joy in the present | XS Noize Podcast #277
    March 24, 2026

TOP UK MUSIC BLOG 2026

Trending Articles

  • Editors Editors return with ‘Call It In’ and reveal 2027 UK & EU tour dates April 28, 2026
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters - Your Favourite ToyALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy April 30, 2026
  • Billie Eilish12 interesting facts about Billie Eilish January 11, 2025
  • WestlifeWESTLIFE set to ring in 2023 at New Year’s Festival Dublin November 10, 2022
  • Imagine Dragons11 of Imagine Dragons’ biggest selling hits April 10, 2025
  • Natalia ImbrugliaNatalie Imbruglia announces new album ‘Algorithm’ and shares new single ‘Upside Down’ April 29, 2026
  • YungbludFive of Yungblud’s biggest hits August 24, 2025
  • Bad Bunny6 of Bad Bunny’s biggest selling hits August 5, 2025
  • Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282 April 29, 2026
  • Global superstar ADELE returns with the release of her brand new single and video 'Easy On Me' 17 of Adele’s most successful hits August 11, 2024

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • Youtube
  • instagram
  • Spotify
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2024 | XS Noize. Website by Skyhaven Media