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  • Jordan Anthony on “Lost In LA”, Finding His Voice in LA & Dream Tour Plans
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  • ALBUM REVIEW: IST IST – Dagger
  • Crispian Mills of Kula Shaker on creativity, chaos, and Wormslayer | XS Noize Podcast #269
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  • News
        • Sananda Maitreya
          News

          Sananda Maitreya Releases Remastered Edition of Neither Fish Nor Flesh as Part of ‘Juvenilia: The Columbia Years’

          February 7, 2026

          Sananda Maitreya releases the newly remastered version of his visionary second album, 1989’s ‘Neither Fish Nor Flesh: A Soundtrack of Love, Faith, Hope & Destruction’. It is the latest instalment in ‘Juvenilia: The Columbia Years’, a remastered […]

          Steven Wilson
          News

          Steven Wilson launches Headphone Dust – a home for pristine high-res & immersive audio

          February 6, 2026

          Steven Wilson has announced details of a new online platform that will become the one-stop home for his renowned, Grammy-nominated spatial audio mixes, making “studio-quality immersive sound accessible to everyone”. The platform represents a major shift […]

          Deftones
          News

          Deftones announce major headline show at Irish Museum of Modern Art

          February 6, 2026

          Multi-platinum GRAMMY® Award-winning Sacramento band Deftones have announced a summer show at Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin on August 25th 2026, with special guests IDLES. This announcement comes ahead of the band’s sold-out […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          Helicon x Al Lover - Arise
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Helicon x Al Lover – Arise

          February 10, 2026

          Scottish band Helicon were formed in Glasgow’s East Kilbride by brothers John-Paul and Gary Hughes. They are a collective of musicians whose experimental sounds blend psychedelia, sitar, electronica and guitars to create a fuzzed-up wall […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: IST IST - Dagger
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: IST IST – Dagger

          February 9, 2026

          Manchester’s post-punk titans IST IST have never been a band to do things by halves. Rising from the city’s underground with a fiercely independent DIY ethic, they’ve spent years carving out a sonic identity as […]

        • 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// 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 […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Marmozets Bring Relentless Energy and Heart to Sold-Out Rescue Rooms Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Marmozets Bring Relentless Energy and Heart to Sold-Out Rescue Rooms

          February 4, 2026

          British rock band Marmozets delivered an electric, sweat-soaked performance at Rescue Rooms on 26 January, turning the packed venue into a wall of noise and movement. Demand was so intense that security were forced to […]

        • 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// 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 […]

          IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland Credit: Becca McCaffrey
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland

          January 11, 2026

          Biffy Clyro put on a brilliant show at the 3Arena on Saturday, 10 January, delivering a set that was as heavy and intense as it was open and emotional. The sold-out Dublin crowd were treated […]

  • 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
        • Jordan Anthony
          Interviews

          Jordan Anthony on “Lost In LA”, Finding His Voice in LA & Dream Tour Plans

          February 10, 2026

          He may only be 20, but Perth-born, LA-based artist Jordan Anthony already has more experience within the music industry than many might expect. He was writing songs and playing instruments before he hit double digits, […]

          TAVE
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: TAVE Talks ‘Fly Away,’ Self-Discovery, and the Art of Letting Go

          November 11, 2025

          Rising artist TAVE has had an extraordinary journey — from earning a scholarship at just 13 and performing with some of music’s biggest names to now stepping into the spotlight with his deeply personal debut […]

          :Panic :Over
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: :Panic :Over Are Turning Northern Irish Indie Into a Global Sound

          October 16, 2025

          Neal McClelland meets the Northern Irish band whose anthemic sound is turning heads from Belfast to Tokyo. There’s something electric about catching a band right before liftoff — that mix of confidence, humour, and disbelief […]

  • Podcast
        • Desertflowerboots_H - photo credit Sandrita Cardenas 1
          Podcast

          Crispian Mills of Kula Shaker on creativity, chaos, and Wormslayer | XS Noize Podcast #269

          February 8, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Kula Shaker frontman Crispian Mills to talk about Wormslayer — a record that captures the band feeling revitalised, confident, and creatively fearless. […]

          Dani Larkin
          Podcast

          Dani Larkin on Next Of Kin: life, loss, and learning to stay open | XS Noize Podcast #268

          February 3, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Dani Larkin to talk about Next Of Kin — a deeply emotive record shaped by time, patience, and a renewed sense of […]

          Paul Draper
          Podcast

          Paul Draper on Mansun Retold: revisiting old songs with new perspective | XS Noize Podcast #267

          January 27, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Paul Draper to talk about Mansun Retold — a project shaped by distance, perspective, and the strange experience of meeting your younger […]

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Articles by Pearse O'Kane

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Pearse O'Kane
Fav Band: The LibertinesFav Album: Up The Bracket
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ALBUM REVIEW: WORKING FOR A NUCLEAR FREE CITY - WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY?
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: WORKING FOR A NUCLEAR FREE CITY – WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY?

January 29, 2016 Pearse O'Kane

Manchester based Working for a Nuclear Free City return from a five year silence with What Do People Do All Day, a fourteen track barrage of experimental indie pop tracks and nu-gaze musings that more […]

SAUROPOD - share new track 'HEADPHONES' + announce debut album 'ROARING AT THE STORM' due 22nd
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: SAUROPOD – ROARING AT THE STORM

January 19, 2016 Pearse O'Kane

Norwegian alt-rockers SAUROPOD combine elements of a variety of punk sub-genres on their debut album. Channeling Pixies and Sonic Youth, the album is an attempt to update and modernize grunge and post-punk music, employing smooth […]

RARE MONK release Self-Titled EP
Album Reviews

REVIEW: RARE MONK – RARE MONK EP

December 8, 2015 Pearse O'Kane

The self-titled EP from Portland based quintet Rare Monk is only the band’s third outing, following their own self released Death by Proxy EP in 2012 and 2014’s Splice/Sleep Attack 7-inch the band return with […]

ALBUM REVIEW: GUY GARVEY - COURTING THE SQUALL
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: GUY GARVEY – COURTING THE SQUALL

November 7, 2015 Pearse O'Kane

Courting The Squall, the debut solo album by Guy Garvey is an album full of variety, the song’s ‘don’t fit the Elbow template’, instead bringing the singer to new ground, with its quietly experimental approach. […]

The ENEMY - announce 4th Album 'It's Automatic' and UK Tour Dates
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: THE ENEMY – ‘It’s Automatic’

October 15, 2015 Pearse O'Kane

Back from a three year break, ‘The Enemy’ return with their fourth studio album, ‘It’s Automatic’, an eleven track affair with influences from the late 90’s and early 2000’s indie and Britpop scenes. Despite lasting […]

ALBUM REVIEW: SWIM DEEP - MOTHERS
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: SWIM DEEP – MOTHERS

October 2, 2015 Pearse O'Kane

Following on from 2013’s ‘Where the Heaven Are We’, indie-pop five piece Swim Deep from Birmingham are back with their most electronic and frenzied material yet. With the addition of percussionist and keyboard player James […]

ALBUM REVIEW: STEREOPHONICS - KEEP THE VILLAGE ALIVE
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: STEREOPHONICS – KEEP THE VILLAGE ALIVE

September 17, 2015 Pearse O'Kane

In August 1997, Stereophonics released their debut studio album, Word Gets Around, which bore five singles and peaked at number six in the UK music charts. Now, eighteen years on they have released their eighth […]

ALBUM REVIEW: CHRIS CORNELL - EUPHORIA MOURNING
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: CHRIS CORNELL – EUPHORIA MOURNING

September 6, 2015 Pearse O'Kane

For the past two decades Chris Cornell has been one of alternative rocks most revered artists, often considered one of the most prominent figures of the 90’s grunge movement as the singer, songwriter and rhythm […]

LATEST PODCASTS

  • Desertflowerboots_H - photo credit Sandrita Cardenas 1
    Crispian Mills of Kula Shaker on creativity, chaos, and Wormslayer | XS Noize Podcast #269
    February 8, 2026
  • Dani Larkin
    Dani Larkin on Next Of Kin: life, loss, and learning to stay open | XS Noize Podcast #268
    February 3, 2026
  • Paul Draper
    Paul Draper on Mansun Retold: revisiting old songs with new perspective | XS Noize Podcast #267
    January 27, 2026
  • Alexander Wolfe
    Alexander Wolfe on ‘Everythinglessness’ and confronting masculinity through music | XS Noize Podcast #266
    January 20, 2026
  • Callum Beattie
    Callum Beattie on new album INDI and trusting his instinct | XS Noize Podcast #265
    January 14, 2026
  • Sleaford Mods
    Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson on Planet X, cultural decay, and the evolution of the band | XS Noize Podcast #264
    December 6, 2025

TOP UK MUSIC BLOG 2026

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