The XS Noize team review the latest live shows from bands/artists on tour.
Charity gigs can showcase well-established acts in intimate venues, typically too small to meet the fervent demands of fans. XS Noize has chronicled the outstanding live performances emanating from such events. Alongside the musical brilliance, […]
Amid numerous peculiar predictions for 2024, this year also commemorates two decades since the mid-noughties era. Specifically, it marks the twenty-year milestone since the formation of Brighton-based band The Go! Team, and the release of […]
With six LPs under his belt and having proved himself a master of rearrangements, Wolf, aka Patrick Denis Apps, had more than enough material to make his electro-pop folk and Baroque chamber music sound new […]
For too long now, a trend has emerged where people pay no interest to the support act or acts opening the leading performer. Venues are often barely a third packed within the first half an […]
Having performed at Glastonbury and opened for Blur, Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye, being Guildhall School of Music graduates, were ready to take on the two-night Barbican Centre residency. Jockstrap, nominated for the Mercury Prize, […]
Despite initially splitting up after just five years in 1998, with several extended hiatus’, Black Grape turned 30 this year. While there was no mention of this anniversary, new material debuted from their forthcoming fourth […]
Established artists and their managers over the last five years or so have agonised about how they will introduce new material live and build up enough nerve to avoid playing essential classic tracks. Van Morrison […]
The revered cult status of Bob Mould is, in many respects, an enigma. Mould is best known for his work in Hüsker Dü, which had modest commercial success. His biggest-selling LP, Copper Blue, was with […]
The Brand New Heavies began life in 1985 as an instrumental acid jazz group called Brothers International and changed their name once they signed their first record contract. When any band is still going strong […]
Hot Mulligan has had a busy, busy year. After completing a European tour, the group kicked off their North American tour on the 8th of November to a sold-out crowd. The entry queue stretched down […]
Since the video “In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company” was released, it has amassed over 380 million views. Whilst it may not be in the “Billion Views Club”, no one can say this isn’t […]
In 2022, following an eight-year live hiatus, Hard-Fi advised that they would play a handful of dates, including a gig at the Kentish Town Forum in London. Whether it was the length of time since […]
In 1991, Polly Jean Harvey formed PJ Harvey as a three-piece with Rob Ellis and Ian Oliver. Based on their first performance at a skittle alley in Charmouth Village Hall in 1991, when they cleared […]
With an eight-year hiatus, since PiL released their last LP, PiL’s devoted fan base was elated that not only a new album, End Of World, has finally been released but an impressive 38-date tour, including […]
Twenty years following the departure of their original organist in 1999, Kula Shaker released their sixth LP, First Congregational Church of Eternal Love and Free Hugs, which can best be described as their most vital […]
As well as 2023 ending the four-year hiatus since The Strokes headlined All Points East, this festival day saw terrific performances by The Walkmen, Amyl and the Sniffers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. After taking […]
The last ABBA UK live performance took place on 11th December 1982. The Swedish quartet played ‘Thank You for the Music’ on The Late Breakfast Show hosted by Noel Edmonds almost five years before MTV […]
Much media coverage has been about large music venues and outside music events being pivotal to boosting the economy. Thankfully, some small music venues, including the 1,410-capacity Koko, received significant investment too. Following £ 70 […]
Over two years ago, Belle and Sebastian announced they would perform two dates at the Camden Roundhouse. These February 2022 gigs were postponed for another nine months. A “health issue” pushed them back further to […]
Playing out a festival is always an honour. It is even more notable when the venue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the most part, the sun shined. The seldom drops of rain that […]