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 […]
The first four headliners of this year’s BST Hyde Park festival were all under thirty, celebrating the energy and optimism of youth. But with Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts joined by Cat Stevens (Yusuf […]
Having been awarded every major honour from the Polar Music Prize to the Wolf Prize, Stevie Wonder needs no introduction. Less known, however, is his warm relationship with main support act Ezra Collective. Back in […]
Sabrina Carpenter’s recent controversies — including the provocative cover art for her upcoming 2025 album Man’s Best Friend — have sparked countless opinion pieces accusing her of being too sexual, attention-seeking, or even superficial. But […]
When Noah Kahan first came to the UK in 2017, he played to just 77 people. Fast forward eight years, and he’s standing in front of 65,000 fans at London’s Hyde Park — a mind-blowing […]
Zach Bryan went the extra mile to connect with his British fans at BST Hyde Park, setting the tone from the very start by choosing Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” as his walk-on music. Rather […]
Following in the footsteps of legendary Meltdown curators like Nile Rodgers and Chaka Khan, Little Simz—aka Simbi Ajikawo—faced a daunting legacy. But with a lineup that balanced heavyweight names like The Streets and rising stars […]
BC Camplight, the musical moniker of virtuoso songwriter and pianist Brian Christinzio, returns with A Sober Conversation—his first release since breaking into the Top 40 with The Last Rotation of Earth. This album is a […]
The 30th edition of Meltdown Festival opened with a bang, headlined by established legends The Streets. But while their set held nostalgic weight, the night truly belonged to a newer, electrifying voice: Lola Young — […]
Meltdown set the blueprint for artist-curated festivals 30 years ago. In 2024, Charli XCX took that torch and ran with it—outdoors, no less—bringing her Lido edition to Mile End’s Victoria Park, also home to All […]
Now in its 30th edition, Meltdown has long stood as a bastion of artist-led curation — a space where visionary musicians shape their own festivals. With past curators including Chaka Khan and Nile Rodgers, this […]
Sports Team may have grabbed headlines after being robbed at gunpoint during their 2024 U.S. tour, but the incident is just one chaotic chapter in the story of a band that thrives on disruption. The […]
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment Turin Brakes realised their next record would be their tenth. But when they did, it surely hit with significance. In a 2000 interview, frontman Olly Knights predicted the […]
What came first: the band Big Country or their song “In a Big Country”? It was the song. Audiences quickly embraced its rousing energy, just as they did the band’s rugged aesthetic — think Bruce […]
Full album performances are usually reserved for artists celebrating the anniversaries of classic records. Corinne Bailey Rae, however, chose a bolder, rarer path: performing her 2024 fourth LP, Black Rainbows, in its entirety — and […]
The Roundhouse in Camden has long been celebrated for its outstanding programming and its flair for curating innovative, intimate festivals. XS Noize has previously covered its acclaimed In the Round series—an all-seated event that has […]
It’s hard to believe that The Zutons’ history as a headline act began at this very venue back in October 2004. Over two decades later, they returned to a packed Shepherd’s Bush Empire — now as […]
There’s a certain electricity that fills a venue when a full band takes the stage, often overshadowing solo support acts who must wrestle with the acoustics of a large room using only a guitar or […]
There’s a difference between being billed as a support act and a special guest. Kula Shaker, with their established reputation and singular style, made it clear they were the latter. From the moment the stage […]
On the opening night celebrating 25 years of concerts in support of Teenage Cancer Trust, the Royal Albert Hall witnessed the powerful impact of this unique charity. Through its specialist care in tailored environments, young […]