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Trending
  • The Amazons Announce 2026 ‘Epilogue’ Tour With Belfast Limelight Show
  • Stella Lefty Releases New EP ‘Is This Heaven?’ Featuring Vincent Mason Collaboration “Something To Lose”
  • LIVE REVIEW: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance
  • The Strokes Return with New Single ‘Falling Out of Love’ from Upcoming Album ‘Reality Awaits’
  • Broken Social Scene on ‘Remember The Humans,’ grief and why music still saves us
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • The Amazons
          News

          The Amazons Announce 2026 ‘Epilogue’ Tour With Belfast Limelight Show

          May 15, 2026

          The Amazons are on the move. New single ‘Blood on the Bone’ is out now, and the Reading rock five-piece have announced a UK headline tour this September – with a new lineup which redefines […]

          Stella Lefty
          News

          Stella Lefty Releases New EP ‘Is This Heaven?’ Featuring Vincent Mason Collaboration “Something To Lose”

          May 15, 2026

          Continuing a monumental run, singer-songwriter Stella Lefty releases her new EP ‘Is This Heaven?’ featuring focus track “Something to Lose” with Vincent Mason, as well as singles “I Know I Know” and “Boston.”  ‘Is This […]

          The Strokes
          News

          The Strokes Return with New Single ‘Falling Out of Love’ from Upcoming Album ‘Reality Awaits’

          May 13, 2026

          The Strokes unveil the new single “Falling out of Love” from their upcoming album Reality Awaits today.  The band will premiere the song tomorrow night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, one of the […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Rozzi - Fig Tree
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Rozzi – Fig Tree

          May 7, 2026

          This is the time of year when music lovers are on the lookout for that perfect summer album — a record to effortlessly soundtrack beach bars, balmy evenings, road trips and sunny strolls. Look no […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters - Your Favourite Toy
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy

          April 30, 2026

          If But Here We Are was the funeral, Your Favorite Toy is the violent, jagged intake of breath that follows – a resurrection that is dangerously alive. On their twelfth studio outing, Dave Grohl and gang […]

        • 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: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance

          May 14, 2026

          Kiefer 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 REVIEW: The Prodigy Bring Fire, Chaos and Emotion to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: The Prodigy Bring Fire, Chaos and Emotion to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena

          May 7, 2026

          After 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
          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: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer) Credit: Marc Leach
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer)

          April 5, 2026

          As 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// 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 […]

  • Gigs
        • December 10
          Gigs

          December 10 announce Ulster Hall, Belfast show for July 20th 2026

          April 2, 2026

          Britain’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 […]

          White Denim
          Gigs

          White Denim set for Belfast return with Limelight 2 headline show on August 27th 2026

          March 30, 2026

          Formed 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 […]

          Tom Jones
          Gigs

          Tom Jones to Play Dublin & Belfast Headline Shows This August 2026

          March 30, 2026

          Legendary 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
        • Col Gerrard
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Col Gerrard on his self-titled debut, touring with Boyzlife and what comes next

          April 20, 2026

          London-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 […]

          Ganser
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Alicia Gaines on the Architecture of Ganser and Discomfort by Design

          April 12, 2026

          Chicago’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 […]

          Elles Bailey
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Elles Bailey on the Story Behind ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’

          March 9, 2026

          Singer-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
        • Broken Social Scene on 'Remember The Humans,' grief and why music still saves people | XS Noize Podcast #284
          Podcast

          Broken Social Scene on ‘Remember The Humans,’ grief and why music still saves us

          May 12, 2026

          In 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 […]

          da Googie
          Podcast

          Deb Googe & Cara Tivey on da Googie and bringing immersive sound to Belfast | XS Noize Podcast #283

          May 5, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Deb Googe and Cara Tivey for a thoughtful and exploratory conversation about their debut full-length album together, The Golden Thread. You […]

          Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
          Podcast

          Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282

          April 29, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Glen Hansard for a warm, honest and deeply reflective conversation about his new live/studio album, Don+t Settle – (Vol 1 Transmissions […]

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Book Reviews

The latest Xsnoize book reviews. Get reading!

BOOK REVIEW: Y/N - Esther Yi
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi

October 30, 2023 Michael Barron

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 Michael Barron

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 […]

Ziggy Marley - Music Is In Everything
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley – Music Is In Everything

January 16, 2023 Michael Barron

Back in 2020, Ziggy Marley teamed up with Lisa Loeb to release a catchy and infectious song that will get people of all ages to sing along called “Music Is in everything”. This song which […]

pop rock icons
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin

December 15, 2022 Michael Barron

Judging by the front cover, one might expect Pop Rock Icons to be festooned with infographics. It isn’t. Instead, it’s a collection of photographs depicting “London’s Swingin’ 60s & 70s”. Rather than homogenise and cluster […]

Sound within Sound by Kate Molleson
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Sound within Sound by Kate Molleson

September 24, 2022 Michael Barron

The number of biographies and autobiographies of artists is colossal, but what makes Sound within Sound unique is the largely unknown contributions of the ten twentieth-century artists Kate Molleson has featured. The one thing all […]

BOOK REVIEW: Radiohead: Life in a Glasshouse - John Aizlewood
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Radiohead: Life in a Glasshouse – John Aizlewood

May 18, 2022 Michael Barron

Consistency, work ethic, teamwork, innovation and the ability to evolve musically by defying trends have made Radiohead an international success story. After all, how many bands that found their footing in the early nineties still […]

BOOK REVIEW: Leonard Cohen: On A Wire - Philippe Girard 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Leonard Cohen: On A Wire – Philippe Girard

May 3, 2022 Michael Barron

There are several milestones including being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and winning copious awards (including a BRIT) which define the success of an artist. Leonard Cohen not only achieved these, […]

BOOK REVIEW: George Orwell’s 1984 - Adapted by Matyáš Namai 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: George Orwell’s 1984 – Adapted by Matyáš Namai

April 7, 2022 Michael Barron

Whilst it’s been over 70 years since George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) died, his legacy appears to be eternal. We are barely in the first quarter of 2022, and Orwell has already been referenced copious […]

BOOK REVIEW: DJANGO, Hand on Fire - The Great Django Reinhardt by Efa & Rubio
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: DJANGO, Hand on Fire – The Great Django Reinhardt by Efa & Rubio

February 6, 2022 Michael Barron

DJANGO, Hand on Fire, kills two birds with one stone by having a separate mini-biography and a graphic novel. Other comic biographies by nbm have had biographies in between the chapters of the graphic novels, […]

BOOK REVIEW: Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavla
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavla

January 11, 2022 Michael Barron

The year is 1997, the setting is France in the small French village of Cressy-la-Valoise, and a young lady seeks out an elderly gentleman living in what she describes as a “museum-like mansion”. What does […]

BOOK REVIEW: The Beatles - Get Back 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Beatles – Get Back

December 1, 2021 Michael Barron

In January 1969, Michael Lindsay-Hogg and his crew filmed The Beatles whilst they recorded in Twickenham Film Studios, Apple Studios on Saville Row in the West End of London and their live performance on top […]

BOOK REVIEW: Decades: Joy Division + New Order By John Aizlewood
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Decades: Joy Division + New Order By John Aizlewood

October 31, 2021 Michael Barron

The beginning of Decades: Joy Division + New Order started 45 years ago on 4th June 1976. The venue is the Lesser Free Trade Hall, and the bands playing are the Buzzcocks and the Sex […]

BOOK REVIEW: Billie Holiday: The Graphic Novel: Women in Jazz By Ebony Gilbert and David Calcano
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Billie Holiday: The Graphic Novel: Women in Jazz By Ebony Gilbert and David Calcano

August 2, 2021 Michael Barron

In a creative foreword, Keith Knight shows a teacher educating her pupils about Billie Holiday and how her life is an opportunity to value “the contributions of blacks, Jews, women….” Her biggest hit, “Strange Fruit, […]

BOOK REVIEW: Love Me Please: The Story of Janis Joplin  By Nicolas Finet, Christopher and Degreff
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Love Me Please: The Story of Janis Joplin By Nicolas Finet, Christopher and Degreff

July 14, 2021 Michael Barron

Affectionately known as Pearl, this outsider who was bullied and abused for being different was able to rise above the cultural barriers of her hometown and period she lived in to become an international star […]

BOOK REVIEW: TOPP: Promotor Gary Topp Brought Us the World
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: TOPP: Promotor Gary Topp Brought Us the World

July 5, 2021 Michael Barron

You will have almost definitely heard of the artists that Gary Topp first brought to Canada, including The Police and The Ramones. Author David Collier who worked with Gary believes Gary’s cultural impact in opening […]

BOOK REVIEW: Gods, Gangsters & Honor: A rock ‘n’ roll odyssey by Steven Machat
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Gods, Gangsters & Honor: A rock ‘n’ roll odyssey by Steven Machat

June 8, 2021 Randall Radic

Sans any pretentiousness about his profession or any claim to being a choirboy himself, lawyer Steven Machat has written a captivating tell-all of his life in the entertainment industry, entitled Gods, Gangsters & Honor: A […]

BOOK REVIEW: Orwell - by Pierre Christin & Sébastien Verdier
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Orwell – by Pierre Christin & Sébastien Verdier

June 7, 2021 Michael Barron

With this graphic novel being divided into three parts, just like George Orwell’s most resound novel 1984; one may expect that Verdier’s effort may disproportionately focus on 1984 and Orwell’s previous offering Animal Farm; the […]

BOOK REVIEW: Wuvable Oaf: Blood & Metal By Ed Luce
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Wuvable Oaf: Blood & Metal By Ed Luce

May 21, 2021 Michael Barron

Who is Wuvable Oaf? He goes by the name of Goteblud, is extremely hairy and a wrestler. Goteblud is no ordinary wrestler; he dresses up as the devil and uncontrollably shoots blood at his opponents […]

BOOK REVIEW: Zebedee And The Valentines by Abs Bailey
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Zebedee And The Valentines by Abs Bailey

April 27, 2021 Michael Barron

The year is 1982, and the setting is a small suburban town in the South West of England. The specific town name itself was irrelevant, as was the name of the pub this four-piece punk-ish […]

BOOK REVIEW: Bob Dylan - No Direction Home (Revised illustrated edition) By Robert Shelton 1
Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Bob Dylan – No Direction Home (Revised illustrated edition) By Robert Shelton

April 9, 2021 Michael Barron

Initially proposed by the author in 1965 and finally released in 1986, an expanded edition followed in 2011 for Dylan’s 70th birthday.  An expanded hardback illustrated edition with 150 images “aimed at a younger audience” […]

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LATEST PODCASTS

  • Broken Social Scene on 'Remember The Humans,' grief and why music still saves people | XS Noize Podcast #284
    Broken Social Scene on ‘Remember The Humans,’ grief and why music still saves us
    May 12, 2026
  • da Googie
    Deb Googe & Cara Tivey on da Googie and bringing immersive sound to Belfast | XS Noize Podcast #283
    May 5, 2026
  • Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
    Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282
    April 29, 2026
  • Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281
    Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281
    April 22, 2026
  • Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280
    Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280
    April 14, 2026
  • The Boxer Rebellion
    The Boxer Rebellion on ‘The Second I’m Asleep’ and the reset that brought them back | XS Noize Podcast #279
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