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  • DOVES Unearth Lost Track ‘Spirit Of Your Friend’ Ahead of Upcoming ‘Best Of’ Collection
  • JAMES Announce “Nothing But Love” – The Definitive Best Of and 2026 UK Arena Tour Dates
  • Richard Ashcroft announces 3Arena Dublin show for May 2026
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Ash – Ad Astra
  • Electro Icons Kraftwerk Return: First UK Tour in Nearly a Decade – Belfast Waterfront Hall, May 18 2026
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Doves
          News

          DOVES Unearth Lost Track ‘Spirit Of Your Friend’ Ahead of Upcoming ‘Best Of’ Collection

          October 6, 2025

          DOVES surprise fans and themselves by releasing a presumed lost track from their studio archive, bringing the soaring Spirit Of Your Friend out of the shadows of fan forum rumours and into the light. Added […]

          JAMES
          News

          JAMES Announce “Nothing But Love” – The Definitive Best Of and 2026 UK Arena Tour Dates

          October 6, 2025

          JAMES have announced Nothing But Love – The Definitive Best Of, due for release on 21 November. The release is a comprehensive and career-spanning collection, documenting the band’s journey from their early singles through to […]

          Richard Ashcroft
          News

          Richard Ashcroft announces 3Arena Dublin show for May 2026

          October 6, 2025

          2025 has already been a phenomenal year for Richard Ashcroft. He has earned rapturous, stadium-wide receptions throughout his run of huge shows as special guest to Oasis, while his recent singles have generated great anticipation […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Ash - Ad Astra
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Ash – Ad Astra

          October 3, 2025

          Perennial 90’s power-pop heroes Ash return this autumn with their ninth studio album, Ad Astra. Now well into their fourth decade together, Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray continue to show that their knack […]

          Idlewild
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Idlewild – ‘Idlewild’

          October 3, 2025

          The band’s tenth album is their first self-titled release, and it just so happens to be a collection of songs that reflects their majestic, melodic beauty. For a band to reach a tenth record is […]

        • 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: Baroness Pay Tribute with Emotional Red & Blue Sets in Los Angeles Credit: Triffin Constantine
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Baroness Pay Tribute with Emotional Red & Blue Sets in Los Angeles

          September 22, 2025

          Sludge, prog, and post-metal band Baroness played an emotional set at Lodge Room in the Highland Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Saturday, September 20th. The night was one of remembrance, playing their first two […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Pendulum Celebrate "Inertia" with High-Energy London Launch Show Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Pendulum Celebrate “Inertia” with High-Energy London Launch Show

          September 10, 2025

          To mark the release of their new album Inertia, Pendulum’s Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen brought an electrifying DJ set to HERE at Outernet in London on September 5th. The Australian outfit has long been […]

        • 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
        • 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
        • Rick McMurray on Ash’s 30-Year Journey and the Rocket-Fuel of "Ad Astra" | XS Noize Podcast #248
          Podcasts

          Rick McMurray on Ash’s 30-Year Journey and the Rocket-Fuel of “Ad Astra” | XS Noize Podcast #248

          October 1, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Rick McMurray looks back on 30 years of Ash and the rocket-fuel energy behind their new album Ad Astra. From teenage beginnings in Downpatrick to global stages, […]

          The Jacques
          Podcasts

          Finn O’Brien on The Jacques’ New Album “Make Repetition!” | XS Noize Podcast #247

          September 28, 2025

          Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | YouTube “Will would be proud of us, and he’d never have wanted his loss to stop us doing what we love.” — Finn O’Brien, […]

          Gary Numan
          Podcasts

          Gary Numan on “Telekon” at 45, Wembley Ghosts & His Glastonbury Debut | XS Noize Podcast #246

          September 24, 2025

          Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | YouTube In Episode #246 of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Gary Numan — one of electronic music’s true pioneers — for a powerful conversation marking the 45th […]

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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
ALBUM REVIEW: Idlewild - Interview Music
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Idlewild – Interview Music

March 25, 2019 Michael Barron

After a four-year hiatus, Idlewild returns with album number eight: Interview Music. The group started working on Interview Music straight off the back of their last record, Everything Ever Written, but didn’t start piecing it […]

BOOK REVIEW: How to Disappear Completely by Si Smith
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: How to Disappear Completely by Si Smith

March 22, 2019 Michael Barron

Can you guess the band who made the song How to Disappear Completely? If you know, do you know the album it comes from? The band is Radiohead. The song is taken from their fourth […]

BOOK REVIEW: ELVIS - Philippe Chanoinat and Fabrice Le Hénaff
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: ELVIS – Philippe Chanoinat and Fabrice Le Hénaff

March 14, 2019 Michael Barron

Forty-two years ago this year, “The King”, Elvis Presley died at just forty-two years old. Whilst his life was exceptionally short (to the point he left his father and his nine-year-old daughter Lisa Marie Presley […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Gratitude
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Gratitude

March 13, 2019 Michael Barron

Following the release of Benjamin Francis Leftwich’s’ 2018 EP, I Am with You, Leftwich returns with his third studio album, Gratitude. Gratitude promises to retain the raw emotion adorned on his first two LP’s: Last […]

INTERVIEW: James' bassist JIM GLENNIE discusses new album 'Living in Extraordinary Times.' 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: James at the Royal Albert Hall, London

March 10, 2019 Michael Barron

Last year Manchester indie legends James released their fifteenth LP, Living in Extraordinary Times. XS Noize found Living in Extraordinary Times was an essential and sacrosanct addition to the James back catalogue giving it a […]

BOOK REVIEW: Swan Song By the Cloudscape Comics Society 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Swan Song By the Cloudscape Comics Society

March 3, 2019 Michael Barron

At XS Noize we have taken you on musical journeys one didn’t think was possible through books, particularly graphic novels. We have taken you on magical mystery tours via Yellow Submarine, explored the stories behind […]

LIVE REVIEW: Palace - Village Underground, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Palace – Village Underground, London

February 27, 2019 Michael Barron

Normally when a van gets stolen there is seldom interest, however when Palaces’ tour van got stolen around a week before the Village Underground gig; there was a media storm. Upsetting as this was; it […]

LIVE REVIEW: Fairport Convention - Union Chapel, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Fairport Convention – Union Chapel, London

February 24, 2019 Michael Barron

Fairport Convention have had much disruption and turbulence since they began in 1967. Despite only having released one single (which didn’t even make the top 20) and only one top 10 album; Fairport Convention have […]

BOOK REVIEW: Kiss: Greatest Hits, Volume 5
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Kiss: Greatest Hits, Volume 5

February 21, 2019 Michael Barron

Kiss has released five volumes of their greatest hits, not of music, but graphic novels. Kiss has appeared in comics and graphic novels for over forty years. Their first comic book appearance was in issue […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Murray A. Lightburn - Hear Me Out
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Murray A. Lightburn – Hear Me Out

February 17, 2019 Michael Barron

Following the release of two albums in 2017: Times Infinity, Volume One and Times Infinity Volume Two; Murray A. Lightburn gave his first UK solo show at Old Church St Pancras, London. Whilst Lightburn performed […]

BOOK REVIEW: Sci-Fu by Yehudi Mercado
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Sci-Fu by Yehudi Mercado

February 16, 2019 Michael Barron

What makes a Superstar DJ? Whatever you think makes a Superstar DJ, the star of Sci-Fu, DJ Wax definitely sets the standard to new high. When your hometown of Brooklyn is at stake if you […]

WHITE LIES announce new album, 'Five', due 1st February 2019 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: White Lies – Kentish Town Forum, London

February 15, 2019 Michael Barron

To coincide with the release of their new album, Five on February 1st, 2019 via [PIAS] Recordings and a decade of their existence; White Lies have embarked on an international tour. XS Noize caught up […]

LIVE REVIEW: Enter Shikari at The Dome, London 1
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Enter Shikari at The Dome, London

February 14, 2019 Michael Barron

Since 2009, at around the same time as The Brit Awards, large and acclaimed artists including, Ed Sheeran, alt-J and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man have played in small, intimate venues raising vital funds and awareness […]

UNLOVED Announce details of their second album, ‘Heartbreak’ and December show at the Hoxton Hall, London.
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Unloved – ‘Heartbreak’

February 12, 2019 Michael Barron

LA/Belfast based trio, Unloved (vocalist and songwriter Jade Vincent, her partner, producer/composer Keefus Ciancia, and DJ, producer and composer David Holmes) return with Heartbreak, the follow-up to their 2016 debut, Guilty of Love. Heartbreak is […]

BOOK REVIEW: All Summer Long by Hope Larson 2
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: All Summer Long by Hope Larson

January 29, 2019 Michael Barron

In All Summer Long, music and summer are the main themes, but neither Woodstock or Bryan Adams or “69” find a home here. The latter may well be omitted because this graphic novel is aimed […]

LIVE REVIEW: Gryff Rhys In the Round, Camden Roundhouse, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Gryff Rhys In the Round, Camden Roundhouse, London

January 26, 2019 Michael Barron

Last year XS Noizereviewed the best of In the Round which saw The Levellers triumph, performing an elated acoustic rendition of their hits spanning across a career which is now over thirty years old. In […]

BOOK REVIEW: Love in Vain: Robert Johnson, 1911 – 1938  By Mezzo and J.M. Dupont 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Love in Vain: Robert Johnson, 1911 – 1938 By Mezzo and J.M. Dupont

January 24, 2019 Michael Barron

Described as “the most famous bluesman of all time”, Robert Johnson was not only the first and founding member of the “27 club” (where other famous musicians including but not limited to Kurt Cobain, Amy […]

ALBUM REVIEW: McDermott's 2 Hours vs Levellers - Besieged
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: McDermott’s 2 Hours vs Levellers – Besieged

January 21, 2019 Michael Barron

In 1986, McDermott’s 2 Hours was founded by Nick Burbridge. Two years later, The Levellers, who cite McDermott’s 2 Hours as a “major formative influence”, formed. The Levellers would cover McDermott’s 2 Hours “Dirty Davey” […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Beirut - Gallipoli
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Beirut – Gallipoli

January 17, 2019 Michael Barron

There is definitely something special about Beirut and the way frontman Zach Condon holds his band together. At just twenty years old “bloggers and industry types” had hyped his first New York show at the […]

FEATURE: The card games every music fan wants to play 1
Features

FEATURE: The card games every music fan wants to play

January 14, 2019 Michael Barron

Most of us love card games and Trump cards games. Those of us fortunate enough will have happy memories or stories from old relatives reminiscing over the halcyon days playing Happy Families and Go Fish. […]

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