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  • 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.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Wrong Creatures
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Wrong Creatures

January 10, 2018 Michael Barron

Twenty years ago Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club (BRMC) formed. Taking their name from Marlon Brando’s motorcycle gang in the 1953 film, The Wild One; BRMC returns with their eighth album, Wrong Creatures (produced by […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Death of Guitar Pop - 69 Candy Street
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Death of Guitar Pop – 69 Candy Street

December 4, 2017 Michael Barron

Silky (Oliver Hookings) realised in 2016 that his former band, States of Emotion, which he had founded fifteen years earlier had “run its course”. Where does one go when their challenging adolescence is unable to […]

LIVE REVIEW: A Peaceful Noise @ ULU 25th November 2017
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: A Peaceful Noise @ ULU 25th November 2017

November 27, 2017 Michael Barron

The circumstances which resulted in A Peaceful Noise (now in its second year) are tragic. This concert was held to raise money for the Nick Alexander Trust in memory of Nick Alexander who was killed […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Lahayna - 'Lahayna'
Competitions

COMPETITION: WIN Strictly Limited Edition Signed LAHAYNA Album Artwork

November 22, 2017 Michael Barron

Lahayna made chart history in 2007 with their infectious anthem, In the City. Despite being unsigned and unconnected, through the band’s hard work and talent, In the City entered the official singles chart at No33. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Frank Turner - 'Songbook'
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Frank Turner – ‘Songbook’

November 17, 2017 Michael Barron

Frank Turner began his music career as vocalist in the post-hard-core, late John Peel endorsed band, Million Dead, has been on Celebrity Mastermind (Iron Maiden, not T. S. Eliot was his specialist subject), the Eton […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Lahayna - 'Lahayna'
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Lahayna – ‘Lahayna’

November 14, 2017 Michael Barron

In November 2007, unknown and unsigned four-piece east London band, Lahayna, entered the singles charts at number 33 with their compulsive indie tune, In the City. Considering Lahayna received no airplay, their fan base was […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Lonely the Brave - 'Things Will Matter' (Redux)
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Lonely the Brave – ‘Things Will Matter’ (Redux)

November 9, 2017 Michael Barron

Since their inception in 2008, Lonely the Brave has been raved about. Black Saucers, taken from their 2014 debut album, The Day’s War, premiered on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show as the ‘Hottest Record in […]

PLACEBO share poignant video for new single "Life's What You Make It" + announce UK tour dates
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Placebo – Brixton Academy, London

October 25, 2017 Michael Barron

There has been a lot of international excitement with Placebo’s “A Place for Us to Dream – 20 Years of Placebo” tour. There was dismay when Placebo cancelled and didn’t reschedule the Perth leg of […]

THE DEARS - 
Share Excerpt From ‘Times Infinity’ Short Film - Watch
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Murray Lightburn (The Dears) – Old Church St Pancras, London

October 24, 2017 Michael Barron

After an extensive and well-received UK tour earlier this month with The Dears, one would have thought that Murray Lightburn would want to put his feet up. Instead, he embarked upon a solo London show […]

THE DEARS - 
Share Excerpt From ‘Times Infinity’ Short Film - Watch
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: The Dears – Oslo, Hackney, London

October 9, 2017 Michael Barron

Frontman Murray Lightburn has been compared vocally to both Damon Albarn and Morrissey. Like Morrissey, Murray is not afraid to express himself. Even in the twenty-first century, “the music press won’t ever allow a black […]

CABBAGE - Announce London Headline Show
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Cabbage – Live at ULU – 05/10/2017

October 6, 2017 Michael Barron

“Indie rock’s lowest common denominator.” This is how Cabbage describes their sound. What inspired this five-piece band from Mossley, 8.9 miles east of Manchester to form in 2015? Answer: Coronation Street. Most notably “Peter Barlow […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Dhani Harrison - IN///PARALLEL
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Dhani Harrison – IN///PARALLEL

October 5, 2017 Michael Barron

There is no escaping that Dhani looks exactly like his late father, George Harrison. Furthermore, Dhani’s vocals are also identical. Footage of Dhani covering his father’s songs is haunting. This may explain why Dhani has […]

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Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Feeder – ‘The Best Of’

September 26, 2017 Michael Barron

Originally conceived as Reel in 1992; this brainchild of Grant Nicholas and John Lee would eventually become Feeder. With Taka Hirose, Feeder would release their first single in 1996 and go on to scoop 20 […]

A DUB LAZARUS PROJECT – THE RESURRECTION OF WAYNE PAUL
Features

A DUB LAZARUS PROJECT – THE RESURRECTION OF WAYNE PAUL

September 17, 2017 Michael Barron

The year is 1994 and everyone knows the name of East End crooner with Jamaican roots: Wayne Paul. Signed to London hip-hop label, Sound of Money Records, managed by Jeremy Tuson (known as Tuse); his […]

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