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  • Placebo release re:created version of iconic single ‘Nancy Boy’
  • MUSE Channel French Disco on New Track ‘Nightshift Superstar’ Ahead of New Album ‘The Wow! Signal’
  • LIVE REVIEW: Midge Ure Delivers a Classy, Nostalgic Night at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall
  • DMA’S Announce Belfast Limelight Show for February 2027
  • Amanda Shires brings her ‘Streetlights and Stars’ European Tour to The Limelight, Belfast
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Placebo
          News

          Placebo release re:created version of iconic single ‘Nancy Boy’

          June 5, 2026

          Placebo release the newly reworked version of “Nancy Boy” alongside a new visualiser for the single. This is the final single to be shared ahead of their forthcoming new album Placebo RE:CREATED, set for release […]

          muse
          News

          MUSE Channel French Disco on New Track ‘Nightshift Superstar’ Ahead of New Album ‘The Wow! Signal’

          June 5, 2026

          GRAMMY® Award-winning rock titans MUSE unveil their new single, “Nightshift Superstar,” and its accompanying music video. The latest glimpse into the world of their forthcoming tenth album, The Wow! Signal (out June 26), arrives as […]

          DMA’S
          News

          DMA’S Announce Belfast Limelight Show for February 2027

          June 4, 2026

          Following on from the announcement that their self-titled album is set for release later this year, DMA’S have given fans another taste of what’s to come with new single and video ‘Hurracane’. Built on a […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Abrasive Trees – Light Remaining
          Album Reviews

          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 […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta - Cut A Silhouette
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta – Cut A Silhouette

          May 29, 2026

          Having spent two decades parsing the shifting sands of alternative rock, it takes something genuinely striking to cut through the noise. Enter Sparta’s latest offering, Cut A Silhouette. Spanning ten tracks across an urgent 33 […]

        • 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: Midge Ure Delivers a Classy, Nostalgic Night at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Midge Ure Delivers a Classy, Nostalgic Night at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall

          June 4, 2026

          On May 30th, legendary Scottish musician and songwriter Midge Ure brought a nostalgic, polished and deeply enjoyable show to Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall. The all-seated theatre was packed well before Ure and his band arrived […]

          Lone Assembly
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Lone Assembly bring dark synthpop and post-punk atmosphere to London’s MOTH Club

          May 27, 2026

          When a proposed property development threatened the future of the 300-capacity MOTH Club, the support to save it far exceeded the venue’s maximum attendance. Around 30,000 people signed a petition to protect the much-loved Hackney […]

        • 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
        • The Hoosiers
          Podcast

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

          June 2, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Irwin Sparkes and Alan Sharland from The Hoosiers. Irwin and Alan join Mark for a warm, funny and reflective conversation about […]

          robert arkins - the commitments
          Podcast

          Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286

          May 25, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Robert Arkins, best known to millions as Jimmy Rabbitte in Alan Parker’s classic 1991 film The Commitments. Robert joins Mark for […]

          Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music, "Fire Escape Symphonies" and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
          Podcast

          Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285

          May 19, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot. Nerina joins Mark for a warm, honest and reflective conversation about her new career-spanning […]

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Ben Howard

Ben Howard - Is It?
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Ben Howard – Is It?

June 15, 2023 Sam Williams

For fans of indie folk, Ben Howard needs no introduction. In his 15-year career, he’s released four successful studio albums and a handful of EPs, with The Burgh Island EP massively helping his upward trajectory […]

Ben Howard
News

BEN HOWARD shares new single ‘Walking Backwards’ from forthcoming new album ‘Is It?’

May 19, 2023 XS Noize

Ben Howard releases Walking Backwards, the second track to be lifted from his fifth studio album, ‘Is It?’ released on the 16th of June 2023 through Island Records. Smouldering in a maelstrom of cut-up samples […]

Ben Howard
News

BEN HOWARD announces his fifth studio album, ‘Is It?’ – Hear first single ‘Couldn’t Make It Up’

April 20, 2023 XS Noize

Ben Howard releases his fifth studio album, ‘Is It?’ on the 16th of June, 2023, through Island Records. In the Summer of 2022, Ben and his band recorded ‘Is It?’ over 10 days in the […]

Ben Howard
Gigs

BEN HOWARD Announces Huge UK, Irish + European Tour – His First European Run In Five Years

March 20, 2023 XS Noize

Ben Howard is pleased to announce a huge 26-date live run of the UK, Ireland and Europe for this year. The tour kicks off at La Riviera in Madrid on the 18th of May and […]

Ben Howard
Gigs

BEN HOWARD announces headline show at Fairview Park – his first Dublin show in four years

February 9, 2023 XS Noize

Ben Howard is excited to announce his return to Ireland with his first Dublin headline show in over four years, in the grounds of Dublin’s Fairview Park on 15 June 2023. Returning after the success […]

Ben Howard
Gigs

BEN HOWARD headlines London’s Alexandra Palace Park next Summer

December 13, 2022 XS Noize

Ben Howard headlines London’s Alexandra Palace Park next Summer. It will be Howard’s first show in the capital since his trio of sell-out shows in Autumn 2021 (two nights at Royal Festival Hall + O2 […]

BEN HOWARD announces three new UK headline dates for Manchester, London & The Eden Sessions
Gigs

BEN HOWARD announces three new UK headline dates for Manchester, London & The Eden Sessions

April 26, 2021 XS Noize

Ben Howard follows the recent release of his fourth album with three new headline dates in the UK this September. The acclaimed British musician debuted at number one in the UK last month with Collections […]

BEN HOWARD Announces Royal Festival Hall Shows & Releases 'Far Out' and 'Follies'
New Music

BEN HOWARD shares new track ‘Sorry Kid’ from his forthcoming album ‘Collections From The Whiteout’

March 22, 2021 XS Noize

Ben Howard is pleased to share a new track, “Sorry Kid,” from his forthcoming album, Collections From The Whiteout. The record, his fourth, will be released this Friday, March 26 through Republic Records. Sorry Kid […]

BEN HOWARD announces global transmission from Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station on 8th April 1
Gigs

BEN HOWARD announces global transmission from Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station on 8th April

March 16, 2021 XS Noize

Ben Howard is pleased to share details of an exclusive one-off global live stream event to celebrate the release of his new album, Collections From The Whiteout, out on 26th March via Island Records. Filmed […]

BEN HOWARD Announces Royal Festival Hall Shows & Releases 'Far Out' and 'Follies'
Gigs

BEN HOWARD Announces Royal Festival Hall Shows & Releases ‘Far Out’ and ‘Follies’

February 26, 2021 XS Noize

Ben Howard is pleased to announce two shows at London’s Royal Festival Hall for the Autumn. The British musician, who releases his fourth album, Collections From The Whiteout, on 26th March, will return to the […]

BEN HOWARD shares 'Crowhurst's Meme' from his forthcoming new album, 'Collections From The Whiteout' Out 26th March 1
New Music

BEN HOWARD shares ‘Crowhurst’s Meme’ from his forthcoming new album, ‘Collections From The Whiteout’ Out 26th March

February 2, 2021 XS Noize

Ben Howard shares a second track, Crowhurst’s Meme, from his forthcoming new album, Collections From The Whiteout. It is released on the 26th March 2021 through Island Records. Crowhurst’s Meme follows the first returning single, […]

BEN HOWARD announces fourth album 'Collections From The Whiteout' - Out March 26th 2
New Music

BEN HOWARD announces fourth album ‘Collections From The Whiteout’ – Out March 26th

January 26, 2021 XS Noize

Ben Howard will return with his fourth album, Collections From The Whiteout, to be released March 26 via Republic Records. Produced alongside Aaron Dessner (The National, Sharon Van Etten, Taylor Swift), Collections From The Whiteout […]

BEN HOWARD shares new single 'A Boat To An Island On The Wall' - Listen
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Ben Howard – Noonday Dream

May 30, 2018 Fionn Crossan

After a four year silence after the release of his critically acclaimed album, ‘I Forget Where We Were’ there was a part of me that we’d maybe never heard hear another full length from Ben. […]

BEN HOWARD shares new single 'A Boat To An Island On The Wall' - Listen
Gigs

BEN HOWARD shares new single ‘A Boat To An Island On The Wall’ – Listen

April 5, 2018 XS Noize

A Boat To An Island On The Wall is the first new music that Ben and his band have shared since the release of his number 1 charting second album, I Forget Where We Were, […]

BEN HOWARD / UK Arena Tour Begins This Month
Gigs

BEN HOWARD / UK Arena Tour Begins This Month

April 1, 2015 XS Noize

Ben Howard kicks off his UK arena tour this month, including three sold-out shows at London’s Alexandra Palace. Ben released his critically acclaimed second album ‘I Forget Where We Were’ last year which debuted at […]

BEN HOWARD - I FORGET WHERE WE WERE
Album Reviews

BEN HOWARD – I FORGET WHERE WE WERE

November 9, 2014 Tillie Elvrum

BRIT and Mercury Award nominee Ben Howard released his 2nd full length album, I Forget Where We Were, in October.  The album quickly found a place on the UK album charts.  I Forget Where We […]

LATEST PODCASTS

  • The Hoosiers
    The Hoosiers on New Album ‘Compassion,’ Toxicity & Finding Joy Again | XS Noize Podcast #287
    June 2, 2026
  • robert arkins - the commitments
    Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286
    May 25, 2026
  • Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music, "Fire Escape Symphonies" and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
    Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
    May 19, 2026
  • 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

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