Reviews

Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard have been quietly orbiting each other’s creative spheres for over a decade. Pritchard, a revered figure in the world of electronica with three standout albums and a rich back catalogue […]

Longevity in the music world isn’t something that is guaranteed. As Les McQueen of Crème Brulee fame says, “It’s a shit business”. It takes a lot of graft, luck, and talent to carve out a […]

What came first: the band Big Country or their song “In a Big Country”? It was the song. Audiences quickly embraced its rousing energy, just as they did the band’s rugged aesthetic — think Bruce […]

The Crystal Teardrop may have only been together for two years, but they’ve already carved out a significant following in the psychedelic and underground music scenes. Now, all their creative momentum has crystallised (pun intended) […]

Full album performances are usually reserved for artists celebrating the anniversaries of classic records. Corinne Bailey Rae, however, chose a bolder, rarer path: performing her 2024 fourth LP, Black Rainbows, in its entirety — and […]

The Roundhouse in Camden has long been celebrated for its outstanding programming and its flair for curating innovative, intimate festivals. XS Noize has previously covered its acclaimed In the Round series—an all-seated event that has […]

On her new album HOLLYWOOD FOREVER, alt-pop visionary DeathbyRomy (aka Romy Flores) dives deep into a volatile blend of goth, dark pop, industrial rock, electronica, and punk. The result is a soundscape that’s hauntingly cinematic, […]

It’s hard to believe that The Zutons’ history as a headline act began at this very venue back in October 2004. Over two decades later, they returned to a packed Shepherd’s Bush Empire — now as […]

Berlin-based Irish-Norwegian singer-songwriter Tara Nome Doyle returns with Ekko, her third full-length album and perhaps her most introspective work to date. Known for her ethereal blend of indie-pop and art-pop, Doyle delves deeper into emotional […]

When OK Go released their last album, Hungry Ghosts, David Cameron was UK Prime Minister, Conchita Wurst won the Eurovision Song Contest for Austria with ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’, and Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow […]

There’s a certain electricity that fills a venue when a full band takes the stage, often overshadowing solo support acts who must wrestle with the acoustics of a large room using only a guitar or […]

On April 3rd, one of the UK’s most electrifying and uncompromising bands, Skunk Anansie, delivered a thunderous, high-octane performance at the iconic Rock City in Nottingham. The sold-out crowd packed every inch of the venue, […]

There’s a difference between being billed as a support act and a special guest. Kula Shaker, with their established reputation and singular style, made it clear they were the latter. From the moment the stage […]

On the opening night celebrating 25 years of concerts in support of Teenage Cancer Trust, the Royal Albert Hall witnessed the powerful impact of this unique charity. Through its specialist care in tailored environments, young […]

Grammy-nominated artist Perfume Genius, the moniker of Mike Hadreas, has long been a critical favorite. Fearlessly exploring themes of identity, trauma, and resilience—particularly within the LGBTQ+ experience—he delivers another deeply introspective and emotionally charged offering […]

This year marks 25 years of spectacular shows in support of Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity at the forefront of providing specialist care in environments tailored for young cancer patients. Each teenager’s battle with cancer […]

Dom Harrison, better known as Yungblud, moved to London at just 16 and, much like Amy Winehouse, fell in love with Camden’s raw, electric energy. His genius lies not just in his genre-blurring approach—fusing rock, […]

XS Noize has had the privilege of covering benefit gigs that showcase artists in a mesmerising new light, raise awareness for important causes, and provide vital fundraising. One often overlooked aspect of benefit gigs is […]