Kingfishr Announce Belsonic Belfast Show And Major Outdoor Dates For 2027

June 18, 2026

Kingfishr have announced three major outdoor headline shows for 2027, including a Belfast Belsonic date. The Irish trio will play Belsonic in Belfast on June 11, 2027, before heading to Marlay Park in Dublin on […]

EELS Announce New Album ‘Cookie Happened’ And Share ‘Cap In Hand’

June 16, 2026

EELS have announced their 16th studio album, Cookie Happened, set for release on October 16 via E Works / Play It Again Sam. Alongside the announcement, the band have shared the album’s first single, “Cap […]

Jesus Jones Announce New Album ‘Twilight’ And ‘Doubt’ 35th Anniversary UK Tour

June 16, 2026

Jesus Jones have announced their eighth album, Twilight, their first new full-length release in eight years. The band have also shared the album’s first single, “Shot In The Chevy,” which is available to stream now. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace – Avalanche

June 10, 2026

For three decades, West Yorkshire’s finest have been a steadfast pillar of the British music scene. Celebrating their 30-year milestone in 2026, Embrace return with their highly anticipated ninth studio album, Avalanche. It’s a record […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Abrasive Trees – Light Remaining

June 3, 2026

Death, grief and frazzled nerves conspire on an epic odyssey to the dark side Totnes experimentalists Abrasive Trees have long sailed choppy liminal seas between the living world and whatever lurks beyond it. Their debut […]

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

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 […]

‘Pop’ at 25: Looking back at the orphan child in U2's discography 2

‘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

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 REVIEW: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival

June 16, 2026

It has been a significant year for the Southbank Centre, which recently received a £10 million grant as part of its 75th birthday celebrations. Adding to that sense of occasion, Harry Styles was announced as […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Proclaimers Bring Heart, Humour And Timeless Anthems To Live At Chelsea

June 14, 2026

Before Scottish twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid brought their unmistakable harmonies to Royal Hospital Chelsea with a 24-track set, support came from Edinburgh-born Hamish Hawk. Describing himself as more of a diarist than an […]

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

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: 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

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 […]

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 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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

Kingfishr Announce Belsonic Belfast Show And Major Outdoor Dates For 2027

EELS Announce New Album ‘Cookie Happened’ And Share ‘Cap In Hand’

Jesus Jones Announce New Album ‘Twilight’ And ‘Doubt’ 35th Anniversary UK Tour

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace – Avalanche

ALBUM REVIEW: Abrasive Trees – Light Remaining

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi

BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes

Classic Albums

‘Pop’ at 26: Looking back at the orphan child in U2’s discography

CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran

Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival

LIVE REVIEW: The Proclaimers Bring Heart, Humour And Timeless Anthems To Live At Chelsea

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

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

IN FOCUS// Ash ignite La Scala with career-spanning London show

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dea Matrona on ‘Hate That I Care’ and Creative Independence | XS Noize Podcast #289

Danny McNamara on Embrace’s New Album ‘Avalanche’ and Why Life Doesn’t Wait | XS Noize Podcast #288

The Hoosiers on New Album ‘Compassion,’ Toxicity & Finding Joy Again | XS Noize Podcast #287

Belsonic Belfast

Kingfishr Announce Belsonic Belfast Show And Major Outdoor Dates For 2027