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  • Ireland’s rising stars Florence Road to headline Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre on December 7
  • Franz Ferdinand announce Dublin and Belfast dates for February 2026
  • Belfast Maritime Festival Music Trail – Over 60 musicians set to light up the Maritime Mile this weekend
  • EP REVIEW: Stephen Thomas – The Universal Me
  • Parov Stelar Announces New Album ‘Artifact’ Out November 14th
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Florence Road
          News

          Ireland’s rising stars Florence Road to headline Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre on December 7

          September 9, 2025

          Fresh off a red-hot summer that’s seen them sell out shows and share the stage with global icons, Wicklow four-piece, Florence Road — one of Ireland’s most exciting new acts — have just announced a […]

          Franz Ferdinand
          News

          Franz Ferdinand announce Dublin and Belfast dates for February 2026

          September 9, 2025

          Franz Ferdinand announced Dublin and Belfast dates for February 2026. Having released their much-acclaimed seventh album, The Human Fear, on Domino in January of this year. The past few months have seen the band out […]

          Belfast Maritime Festival Music Trail – Over 60 musicians set to light up the Maritime Mile this weekend
          News

          Belfast Maritime Festival Music Trail – Over 60 musicians set to light up the Maritime Mile this weekend

          September 5, 2025

          Belfast City Council will be showcasing a fabulous programme of live music during the Belfast Maritime Festival, celebrating Belfast’s status as a UNESCO City of Music. Over 60 of Northern Ireland’s leading musicians will be performing in […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          EP REVIEW: Stephen Thomas - The Universal Me
          Album Reviews

          EP REVIEW: Stephen Thomas – The Universal Me

          September 5, 2025

          On his latest EP The Universal Me, West Virginia–born singer-songwriter Stephen Thomas refuses to be boxed in. Blending R&B, pop, country, hip-hop, and alt-rock, he crafts a sound he calls the Universal genre — fluid, […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Saint Etienne – International
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Saint Etienne – International

          September 3, 2025

          Named after a French football team, Saint Etienne have been the darlings of indie-pop, dance, and kitchen-sink storytelling since the 1990s. Few bands have captured everyday life with such charm, always anchoring their songs in […]

        • 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: The Hives Light Up Nottingham with Explosive Album Launch Show Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: The Hives Light Up Nottingham with Explosive Album Launch Show

          September 2, 2025

          On August 29th, The Hives unleashed their new album The Hives The Hives Forever Forever The Hives — and to mark the occasion, they stormed into Nottingham with a short but blisteringly energetic set. Mixing […]

          LIVE REVIEW: The Sword at The Bellwether Credit: Triffin Constantine
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: The Sword at The Bellwether

          September 1, 2025

          Texas stoner doom legends The Sword celebrated the 15th anniversary of their sci-fi concept album Warp Riders with a full playthrough Saturday at The Bellwether in Downtown Los Angeles. Lead singer and guitarist JD Cronise […]

        • 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// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square © Bernie McAllister
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square

          August 17, 2025

          Putting the Fast in Belfast 7 once again proved why it has become a staple of the city’s summer music calendar. A packed Custom House Square buzzed with anticipation as fans from across generations gathered […]

          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, […]

  • 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
        • 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 Milk
          Podcasts

          The Milk’s Rick Nunn on new album ‘Borderlands’: Love, Loss & Cinematic Soul | XS Noize Podcast #243

          September 2, 2025

          Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | YouTube “We wanted Borderlands to sound as big as the emotions inside it — choirs, strings, brass, the whole lot.” – Rick Nunn, The Milk Episode Overview  In Episode #243 of the […]

          John Robb: From The Stone Roses to Oasis — Writing Rock’s Biggest Stories | XS Noize Podcast #242
          Podcasts

          John Robb: From The Stone Roses to Oasis — Writing Rock’s Biggest Stories | XS Noize Podcast #242

          August 27, 2025

          In Episode #242 of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar chats with John Robb — musician, journalist, author, broadcaster, and founder of Louder Than War — about his brand-new book Live Forever: The Rise, […]

          Matt Berninger (The National) on His New Solo Album ‘Get Sunk’ | XS Noize Podcast #241
          Podcasts

          The National’s Matt Berninger on His New Solo Album ‘Get Sunk’ & European Tour | XS Noize Podcast #241

          August 20, 2025

          In Episode #241 of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar chats with Matt Berninger — frontman of The National and acclaimed solo artist — about his brand-new album Get Sunk. Best known for his […]

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IN FOCUS

The best shots of the latest gigs from our super snappers.

IN FOCUS// The Sisters of Mercy at Rock City, Nottingham Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// The Sisters of Mercy at Rock City, Nottingham

November 22, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

One of the most mysterious bands from the 80s with a huge underground following, The Sisters of Mercy, visited Nottingham on Sunday, November 19th, as a part of their Autumn 2023 tour. Andrew Eldritch, Ben […]

Gareth Dunlop at Ulster Hall, Belfast © Bernie McAllister
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Gareth Dunlop at Ulster Hall, Belfast

November 15, 2023 Bernie McAllister

Far From Saints were at The Ulster Hall, Belfast, as part of their extensive UK and Ireland tour with support from Belfast’s synth-pop artist, Gareth Dunlop, who played a fantastic set. Bernie McAllister was there […]

IN FOCUS// Death Cult at Rock City, Nottingham
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Death Cult at Rock City, Nottingham

November 15, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

Ian Astbury and Death Cult came to Nottingham for their 8323 tour. The 40th-anniversary celebration tour gathered the life-long fans of the band and those who love The Cult. The post-punk legends were welcomed with […]

IN FOCUS// Nothing But Thieves at OVO Arena, Wembley, London Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Nothing But Thieves at OVO Arena, Wembley, London

November 13, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

On the 10th and 11th of November, one of the most exciting indie rock bands from Essex, Nothing But Thieves, had their completely sold-out gigs at the OVO Wembley Arena. The two support bands on […]

IN FOCUS// Europe at The London Palladium Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Europe at The London Palladium

October 30, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

This year, Swedish rock band Europe celebrate their 40th anniversary. As a part of the celebration, the band brought their special 2-act long show to the UK. The gig was filled with the band’s memories, […]

IN FOCUS// Haircut 100 at The Limelight, Belfast © Bernie McAllister
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Haircut One Hundred at The Limelight, Belfast

October 10, 2023 Bernie McAllister

Fresh from sold-out shows in London and Oxford in May, ’80s new wave pop band Haircut One Hundred kicked off their Haircut 100% Live Tour in Belfast with a brilliant performance at the iconic Limelight, […]

IN FOCUS// New Order at First Direct Arena, Leeds Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// New Order at First Direct Arena, Leeds

October 9, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

One of the biggest post-punk genre legends, New Order, performed at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. The gig was filled with nostalgia, Joy Division and Ian Curtis tributes, and new material. Fun rock band […]

IN FOCUS// Field Day 2023 with Aphex Twin, Bonobo, Arca and others at Victoria Park, London Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Field Day 2023 with Aphex Twin, Bonobo, Arca and others at Victoria Park, London

August 22, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

Victoria Park is a place of yearly festivities and grand summer concerts. On the 19th of August, one of the most creative and mysterious electronic music producers – Aphex Twin – had a hugely awaited […]

IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at Custom House Square, Belfast © Bernie McAllister
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at Custom House Square, Belfast

August 21, 2023 Bernie McAllister

Following their SOLD OUT Custom House Square show in 2022, Legendary NI Punks STIFF LITTLE FINGERS returned to Custom House Square for another special night in Belfast on Saturday, 19th August 2023, alongside an all-star line-up […]

IN FOCUS// Mac DeMarco at Hackney Empire, London Credit: Denise Esposito
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Mac DeMarco at Hackney Empire, London

July 31, 2023 Denise Esposito

Mac DeMarco and his band performed the album ‘Five Easy Hot Dogs’ in its entirety at Hackney Empire, London, followed by many fan favourites from his catalogue in a new stripped-back arrangement. The Canadian songwriter […]

IN FOCUS// Pulp at the Eventim Apollo, London Credit: Denise Esposito
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Pulp at the Eventim Apollo, London

July 31, 2023 Denise Esposito

Pulp returned to London for two sold-out nights at the Eventim Apollo on Friday 28th, and Saturday 29th of July, bringing their brilliant reunion tour to a close.               […]

IN FOCUS// Interpol at Somerset House, London Credit: Denise Esposito
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Interpol at Somerset House, London

July 11, 2023 Denise Esposito

Interpol played a sold-out headline show at Somerset House in London on Monday, 10th July, 2023. The band has recently launched ‘Interpolations’: a new collaborative project which sees songs from their seventh album, The Other […]

IN FOCUS// The Prodigy at Belsonic, Ormeau Park © Bernie McAllister
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// The Prodigy at Belsonic, Ormeau Park

July 1, 2023 Bernie McAllister

The Prodigy played an exceptional outdoor performance at Ormeau Park, Belfast, on Friday, 30th June 2023. Following the band’s incendiary and emotionally charged sellout tour of the UK last July, their first since Keith Flint […]

IN FOCUS// Florence & the Machine at Belsonic, Ormeau Park © Bernie McAllister
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Florence & the Machine at Belsonic, Ormeau Park

June 29, 2023 Bernie McAllister

Florence & the Machine returned to Belfast to play their largest-ever Irish show at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, on Wednesday, June 28th 2023. Bernie McAllister was there to take these fantastic images.          […]

IN FOCUS// Placebo at O2 Academy Glasgow, Scotland Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Placebo at O2 Academy, Glasgow, Scotland

June 26, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal, aka Placebo, performed in Glasgow at the O2 Academy on the 24th of June. The show was sold out, and the venue was packed with passionate fans. There was an […]

IN FOCUS// The Hives @ The Garage, London Credit: Denise Esposito
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// The Hives @ The Garage, London

June 18, 2023 Denise Esposito

The Hives made a glorious return to The Garage on 13th June 2023, the same venue where they played their first London show 22 years ago. The Swedish rock’n’roll quintet, led by the charismatic frontman […]

Lorna Shore @ The Academy, Dublin, Ireland Credit: Alina Salihbekova
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Lorna Shore @ The Academy, Dublin, Ireland

June 18, 2023 Alina Salihbekova

One of the most exciting deathcore bands today – Lorna Shore – visited Dublin and brought a highly anticipated headlining sold-out show. The venue was filled with metalheads dressed in all black. Support came from […]

IN FOCUS// The Pretenders at Limelight 1, Belfast © Bernie McAllister
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// The Pretenders at Limelight 1, Belfast

May 24, 2023 Bernie McAllister

English-American rock band Pretenders played an amazing show last night at Limelight 1, Belfast, as part of their UK and Irish tour. Bernie McAllister was there to take these fantastic images.          […]

IN FOCUS// Tom Meighan at Limelight, Belfast © Bernie McAllister
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Tom Meighan at Limelight, Belfast

May 15, 2023 Bernie McAllister

Former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan played an amazing show on Saturday night at Limelight, Belfast, supporting his fantastic debut album ‘The Reckoning.’ A born frontman, Tom had the crowd jumping from the first song to […]

IN FOCUS// Gary Numan at the Electric Ballroom, London Credit: Denise Esposito
IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS// Gary Numan SHOW 999 at the Electric Ballroom, London

April 16, 2023 Denise Esposito

Gary Numan celebrated the 998, 999 and 1000th concerts of his career at the Electric Ballroom in London on April 13th, 14th and 15th. This significant milestone was particularly special as the three sold-out nights […]

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