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XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • The Milk
          News

          The Milk Return with ‘Borderlands’ — Their Most Ambitious Album to Date

          August 15, 2025

          On 19 September, WLS Records will release The Milk’s sophisticated new album Borderlands, which features outstanding songwriting, deftly served by extraordinary musicianship, mixed with ambitious arrangements and world-class production. A lovingly crafted sonic memoir, it […]

          Silent Running
          News

          Belfast’s Silent Running Return with Fifth Album ‘Northstar’

          August 15, 2025

          Belfast’s Silent Running folded for a full 30 years after releasing their third album in 1989. One of Ireland’s biggest musical exports in the 1980s was burned out. They had headlined numerous nights at London’s […]

          Ronboy
          News

          Ronboy Returns with Haunting New Single “Disaster” Featuring The National’s Matt Berninger

          August 15, 2025

          Ronboy, the exciting artist project of musician Julia Laws, returns with a haunting new single “Disaster” featuring The National’s frontman Matt Berninger. The track first made its debut on Matt Berninger’s North American US Tour, […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2

          August 13, 2025

          We are closing in on the 58th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s death; complications from Huntington’s Disease finally sealed his fate on October 3rd, 1967. Despite the lengthy time that has passed, his fingerprints are still […]

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

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

          August 6, 2025

          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 […]

        • 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: Wet Leg Turn Nottingham Into a Sing-Along Frenzy Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Wet Leg Turn Nottingham Into a Sing-Along Frenzy

          August 15, 2025

          Nottingham’s The Level was bursting at the seams on August 11th as Grammy-winning indie-rock darlings Wet Leg brought their Moisturizer tour to town — and they didn’t just play a gig, they turned it into […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Mangata Festival 2024: A Two-Day Triumph of Heavy Music Across Nottingham Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Mangata Festival 2025: A Two-Day Triumph of Heavy Music Across Nottingham

          July 17, 2025

          Mangata Festival returned to Nottingham on July 12th, bringing with it a thunderous celebration of heavy music spread across multiple venues in the city. But the festivities began even earlier with Solgata, the official pre-party […]

        • 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// 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, […]

          IN FOCUS// The Darkness Set Wembley Arena Alight with Glam Rock Glory Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// The Darkness Set Wembley Arena Alight with Glam Rock Glory

          April 3, 2025

          On April 29th, one of Britain’s most electrifying live acts, The Darkness, lit up a sold-out OVO Wembley Arena with an impossible show to ignore. Kicking off the night in fine style were Ash, the […]

  • Gigs
        • jason
          Gigs

          Jason Derulo’s 2026 tour: Dates, venues, tickets, and more

          August 10, 2025

          Jason Derulo will be touring the UK in 2026, performing at some of the UK’s grandest venues in major cities. His return promises to be unforgettable, with electrifying dance moves, chart-topping bangers, and a voice […]

          OneRepublic
          Gigs

          The ultimate guide to OneRepublic’s tour

          August 8, 2025

          Pop-rock sensation OneRepublic will bring their “Sweet Escape Tour” to Australia and New Zealand next year. With support from special guest Zara Larsson, Ryan Tedder and the crew will bring their hit songs “Counting Stars” […]

          Metallica
          Gigs

          Everything you need to know about Metallica’s 2026 tour

          August 2, 2025

          From anthems to soulful ballads, Metallica is gearing up to take you on a unique journey through their 40-year catalogue. With no-repeat setlists, colossal stages, and an array of hard-hitting support acts, “M72 World Tour” […]

  • 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
        • 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 […]

          Cam – Behind the Songs of 'All Things Light' and Life After a Grammy | XS Noize Podcast #238
          Podcasts

          Cam – “All Things Light”: Behind the Songs & Grammy Reflections | XS Noize Podcast #238

          July 30, 2025

          In Episode #238 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Cam to talk about her new album, All Things Light. From her multi-platinum hit “Burning House” to co-writing on Beyoncé’s […]

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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
Anarchy in the Albert Hall: The Sex Pistols Deliver a Historic Night for Teenage Cancer Trust
Live Reviews

Anarchy in the Albert Hall: The Sex Pistols Deliver a Historic Night for Teenage Cancer Trust

March 25, 2025 Michael Barron

This year marks 25 years of spectacular shows in support of Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity at the forefront of providing specialist care in environments tailored for young cancer patients. Each teenager’s battle with cancer […]

TYUNGBLUD at Scala: A Theatrical Showcase of New Beginnings Credit: Tom Pallant
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Yungblud at Scala: A Theatrical Showcase of New Beginnings

March 24, 2025 Michael Barron

Dom Harrison, better known as Yungblud, moved to London at just 16 and, much like Amy Winehouse, fell in love with Camden’s raw, electric energy. His genius lies not just in his genre-blurring approach—fusing rock, […]

The WAEVE – KOKO, London: A Spellbinding, Unpredictable Performance Brimming with Suspense and Emotion Credit: Denise Esposito
Live Reviews

The WAEVE – KOKO, London: A Spellbinding, Unpredictable Performance Brimming with Suspense and Emotion

March 21, 2025 Michael Barron

XS Noize has had the privilege of covering benefit gigs that showcase artists in a mesmerising new light, raise awareness for important causes, and provide vital fundraising. One often overlooked aspect of benefit gigs is […]

LIVE REVIEW: Doves at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Doves at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

March 14, 2025 Michael Barron

According to the band, Doves hadn’t played this London venue since November 2000. Reflecting on that night, they recalled nearly getting kicked out—though they left the details to the imagination—before apologising to the bouncers on […]

LIVE REVIEW: Frank Turner at 93 Feet East for BRITs Week 25 in aid of War Child
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Frank Turner at 93 Feet East for BRITs Week 25 in aid of War Child

February 24, 2025 Michael Barron

Have you ever wondered how artists pick their support acts? Frank Turner’s choice of Ben Brown comes with a hilarious backstory. Picture the scene: Turner is at a barbecue, drinks are flowing, and the vibe […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Doves – Constellations for the Lonely
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Doves – Constellations for the Lonely

February 20, 2025 Michael Barron

Doves have been crafting anthems for the disenchanted for over 25 years, but their story stretches back even further—to the neon-soaked, sweat-drenched floors of Manchester’s legendary Haçienda. Before they became indie royalty, they were Sub […]

Cat Burns
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Cat Burns at Moth Club for BRITs Week 25 in aid of War Child

February 18, 2025 Michael Barron

The February chill did little to deter eager fans from queuing outside Hackney’s Moth Club to witness Cat Burns kick off BRITs Week 25 in aid of War Child. Their patience in the freezing cold […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Kooks’ Intimate Indie Club Night at Notting Hill Arts Centre Credit Dave Hogan
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: The Kooks’ Intimate Indie Club Night at Notting Hill Arts Centre

January 31, 2025 Michael Barron

The first quarter of 2025 is set to be a landmark period for The Kooks. With their seventh album, Never/Know, arriving on May 9th and a packed tour schedule spanning 20 Australian dates followed by […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Larkin Poe - Bloom
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Larkin Poe – Bloom

January 28, 2025 Michael Barron

2025 marks fifteen years since sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell formed Larkin Poe following the dissolution of the Lovell Sisters, their previous band with elder sister Jessica. Over the years, the duo’s electrifying blend of […]

LIVE REVIEW: Bastille Present “&” live at Shepherds Bush
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Bastille Present “&” live at Shepherds Bush

November 19, 2024 Michael Barron

The O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, with its intimate 2,000-seat capacity, became a battleground for over 50,000 fans clamouring for tickets to see Bastille—a band more commonly associated with arena-sized venues like the O2 Arena. Given […]

Bob Dylan
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Bob Dylan live at the Royal Albert Hall: A Night of Reinvention

November 13, 2024 Michael Barron

Bob Dylan’s storied relationship with the Royal Albert Hall dates back to 1965. A year later, he returned to play what has since been immortalized as his “most famous concert ever,” a show now etched […]

LIVE REVIEW: Dhani Harrison at EartH, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Dhani Harrison at EartH, London

October 24, 2024 Michael Barron

Anticipation was high when Dhani Harrison released his debut album IN///PARALLEL in 2017. Prior to that, he had already established himself as a thoughtful and accomplished musician through his work with bands like The New […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Bastille “&” (Ampersand)
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Bastille – “&”

October 23, 2024 Michael Barron

Bastille’s fifth LP, &, is an ambitious concept album that revolves around the theme of a “collection of story songs” inspired by extraordinary historical and fictional figures. The lineup includes renowned personalities such as the […]

Crowded House
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Crowded House at O2 Arena, London

October 12, 2024 Michael Barron

Crowded House has been remarkably prolific in recent years, with a quarter of their albums released in the 2020s—a striking feat for a band that first formed in 1985. This makes sense, given the band’s […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Desperate Journalist - No Hero
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Desperate Journalist – No Hero

September 26, 2024 Michael Barron

Desperate Journalist’s fifth album, No Hero, marks a shift in their creative approach, led by guitarist Rob Hardy and vocalist Jo Bevan’s collaborative experimentation with a Behringer Poly D synth. Hardy wrote demos in isolation on […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Maxïmo Park - Stream of Life
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Maxïmo Park – Stream of Life

September 23, 2024 Michael Barron

Maxïmo Park’s eighth studio album, Stream of Life, follows their 2021 release Nature Always Wins, which proved that, after two decades together, the Newcastle-upon-Tyne band could still captivate audiences. Stream of Life draws inspiration from […]

Snow Patrol
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Snow Patrol at Koko, London

September 12, 2024 Michael Barron

Snow Patrol, a band more accustomed to filling 20,000-capacity venues like London’s O2 Arena, treated fans to an intimate performance at the 1,500-capacity Koko—a refurbished gem in Camden, London, that reopened in 2022. The venue’s […]

Snow Patrol - The Forest Is the Path
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Snow Patrol – The Forest Is the Path

September 9, 2024 Michael Barron

In 2006, Snow Patrol’s fourth LP, Eyes Open, became the UK’s best-selling album of the year. Their enduring success lies in their ability to evolve from a raw indie sound into a more polished, commercially […]

LIVE REVIEW: Death Cab for Cutie & The Postal Service at All Points East
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Death Cab for Cutie & The Postal Service at All Points East

August 27, 2024 Michael Barron

This year’s All Points East delivered a series of spectacular moments, starting with producer Kaytranada, who captivated the audience with his hits, including Victoria Monet’s “Alright.” The festival hit a triple high with three standout […]

LIVE REVIEW: LCD Soundsystem at All Points East, London
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: LCD Soundsystem at All Points East, London

August 26, 2024 Michael Barron

All Points East has consistently brought top-tier music to the East End of London, with past headliners like Nick Cave and The Strokes. In 2024, the festival kicked off with an electrifying performance by producer […]

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