News Natalie Imbruglia announces new album ‘Algorithm’ and shares new single ‘Upside Down’ April 29, 2026Natalia Imbruglia is known to millions as the star behind the global hit ‘Torn’ which remains one of the defining songs of the nineties. It started a phenomenal run of success which has included two BRIT Awards, three Grammy nominations, a Silver […]
News PICTURE THIS add extra Belfast and Dublin dates following huge demand April 28, 2026Picture This announce their most intimate shows ever for Winter 2026 including dates in The Telegraph Building and the Millennium Forum. “We spent last summer playing cities, towns and venues in Ireland that we had […]
News Editors return with ‘Call It In’ and reveal 2027 UK & EU tour dates April 28, 2026Editors return with brand new single, ‘Call It In’, and news of 2027 tour dates across the UK & EU. Call It In marks the band’s first new music since 2022’s studio album EBM, and emerges from studio sessions […]
Album Reviews ALBUM REVIEW: Stuck – Optimizer April 21, 2026The dormant gears of Chicago’s post-punk stalwarts have finally ground back into motion. Following a three-year break, Stuck return with Optimizer, a record that suggests the only way to navigate a collapsing world is to […]
Album Reviews ALBUM REVIEW: The Dandy Warhols – Pin Ups March 25, 2026There’s long been a subtle rebellious streak at the core of The Dandy Warhols. Since emerging from Portland in 1994, they’ve approached genres as something fluid rather than fixed, and Pin Ups – their 2026 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Live Reviews LIVE REVIEW: Gorillaz bring ‘The Mountain’ to Belfast — no nostalgia at the SSE Arena debut April 1, 2026Gorillaz finally made it to Belfast — and instead of rolling out a greatest hits set, they came in with something very different. Support came from Argentine rapper, singer and songwriter Trueno, and I’ve never […]
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 Glen Hansard on ‘Transmissions East’, Bob Dylan and a Record That Isn’t Looking Back | XS Noize Podcast #282 April 29, 2026In 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 […]
Podcast Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281 April 22, 2026In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Miles Hunt for a candid, funny and reflective conversation marking 40 years of The Wonder Stuff. You can watch the full […]
Podcast Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280 April 14, 2026In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Carol Decker for a candid, funny and revealing conversation about T’Pau’s return with the new album Be Wonderful. You can watch […]