News Nothing But Thieves announce fifth album ‘Stray Dogs’ share ‘Evolution’ and reveal biggest tour to date May 26, 2026Marking a decade of Nothing But Thieves last year, with four albums, billions of streams, thousands of worldwide live shows and a global dedicated fanbase, the Southend five-piece made their musical return last week with […]
News AVA Belfast reveals full 2026 festival programme including afterparties, talks, workshops and more May 22, 2026AVA Belfast returns to Titanic Slipways on 29–30 May 2026, as the city prepares for what promises to be its biggest music weekend of the year. Hailed as “Techno Christmas,” or “Belfast Coachella” AVA is […]
News THE SCRIPT announce new album ‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’ and huge UK & European arena headline tour May 22, 2026The Script’s phenomenal and long-lasting success has seen them achieve six UK #1 albums and eight back home in Ireland, in the process exceeding 14 billion streams, 5 million album sales, and countless international Platinum […]
Album Reviews ALBUM REVIEW: Mull Historical Society – In My Mind There’s a Photograph May 26, 2026For Mull Historical Society’s last album, Colin MacIntyre — who is, in essence, Mull Historical Society — invited acclaimed authors to write lyrics for his musical compositions. The result was 2023’s In My Mind There’s […]
Album Reviews ALBUM REVIEW: The Coral – 388 May 21, 2026The Coral have always thrived on instinct, but even by their standards, 388 feels like a beautifully unexpected detour. Arriving without teaser singles or algorithm-chasing fanfare, the Hoylake psych-pop veterans have delivered one of the […]
Book Reviews BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi October 30, 2023K-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 Reviews BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes August 29, 2023How 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 26: Looking back at the orphan child in U2’s discography March 3, 2022In 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 […]
Album Reviews CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran June 17, 2021This 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: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance May 14, 2026Kiefer Sutherland may be known across the world as an actor and producer, but on stage at Union Chapel, that part of his life felt almost beside the point. With his fourth album, Grey, due […]
Live Reviews LIVE REVIEW: The Prodigy Bring Fire, Chaos and Emotion to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena May 7, 2026After more than 30 years, The Prodigy remain one of the most powerful live electronic acts on the planet — and their sold-out show at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena proved exactly why. The night began with […]
Round Up XS Noize Best Albums of 2018 December 22, 20182018 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 […]
Round Up The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP October 29, 2018Welcome 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: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer) April 5, 2026As Storm Dave closed in on Northern Ireland, another storm was already gathering. Inside Limelight 2, Belfast, local metal titans Survivalist unleashed thunder of their own — a fitting backdrop for the release of their […]
IN FOCUS IN FOCUS// Ash ignite La Scala with career-spanning London show February 6, 2026On 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 […]
Gigs December 10 announce Ulster Hall, Belfast show for July 20th 2026 April 2, 2026Britain’s brand-new boyband December 10 today announce December 10: The Next Step– kicking off in Edinburgh on Friday 10 July and wrapping in Dublin on Tuesday 21 July. “We loved our Introducing! run of shows […]
Gigs White Denim set for Belfast return with Limelight 2 headline show on August 27th 2026 March 30, 2026Formed in 2006, for approaching 20 years White Denim has been celebrated for their fearless blend of garage rock, soul, jazz fusion, psychedelia, and experimental improvisation. Based for much of that time in Austin, though […]
Gigs Tom Jones to Play Dublin & Belfast Headline Shows This August 2026 March 30, 2026Legendary Welsh singer and performer Tom Jones has announced a return to Ireland with a headline show within the idyllic grounds of Palmerstown House Estate, just 20 minutes from Dublin City Centre on Sunday 09th […]
Interviews INTERVIEW: Col Gerrard on his self-titled debut, touring with Boyzlife and what comes next April 20, 2026London-born singer-songwriter Col Gerrard has loved music from an early age, and that passion shines throughout his self-titled debut album. Drawing on a range of influences, the record takes listeners on an emotional journey, with […]
Interviews INTERVIEW: Alicia Gaines on the Architecture of Ganser and Discomfort by Design April 12, 2026Chicago’s underground has always thrived in the margins, and few bands embody that restless, art-driven spirit quite like Ganser. Formed in the city’s DIY circuit, the group have carved out a reputation for wiry, confrontational […]
Interviews INTERVIEW: Elles Bailey on the Story Behind ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’ March 9, 2026Singer-songwriter Elles Bailey released her latest album, Can’t Take My Story Away, at the beginning of this year. Produced by Luke Potashnick, the album is deeply personal and quietly powerful—rooted in resilience, reflection, and self-ownership. […]
Podcast Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286 May 25, 2026In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Robert Arkins, best known to millions as Jimmy Rabbitte in Alan Parker’s classic 1991 film The Commitments. Robert joins Mark for […]
Podcast Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285 May 19, 2026In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot. Nerina joins Mark for a warm, honest and reflective conversation about her new career-spanning […]
Podcast Broken Social Scene on ‘Remember The Humans,’ grief and why music still saves us May 12, 2026In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin of Broken Social Scene. Kevin and Charles join Mark for a warm, reflective and deeply human […]