Black Needle Noise Archives | XS Noize

Derry four piece THE WOOD BURNING SAVAGES to play Limelight, Belfast show

March 25, 2023

The Derry four-piece recently released their new single ‘Hand to Mouth’, their first since their Northern Ireland Music Prize-winning album ‘Stability’. The track is a bruising blast of pent-up vitriol, driven by jagged guitars and […]

PETE TOWNSHEND releases ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’ - his first solo single in 29 years

March 24, 2023

Pete Townshend has today released ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’, his first solo single in 29 years. The track was composed and produced by Rachel Fuller under her nom de plume Charlie Pepper, and all proceeds […]

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS unveil new track ‘Dead To The World’

March 23, 2023

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds today release ‘Dead To The World’, a remarkable new track taken from the eagerly anticipated fourth studio album ‘Council Skies’, due for release on 2nd June 2023 (via Sour Mash […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Depeche Mode - Memento Mori

March 24, 2023

A thing that is overlooked about Depeche Mode is their constant need to keep moving, keep innovating and keep recording new material, something their contemporaries rarely do if they do it at all. Look at […]

ALBUM REVIEW: King Cedar - Everything More & Other Stories

March 22, 2023

Bangor native Stephen Macartney, or as we will learn to know him – King Cedar is set to release his debut album, Everything More & Other Stories. Previously known for his part in the alt-folk […]

BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley - Music Is In Everything

January 16, 2023

Back in 2020, Ziggy Marley teamed up with Lisa Loeb to release a catchy and infectious song that will get people of all ages to sing along called “Music Is in everything”. This song which […]

BOOK REVIEW: Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin

December 15, 2022

Judging by the front cover, one might expect Pop Rock Icons to be festooned with infographics. It isn’t. Instead, it’s a collection of photographs depicting “London’s Swingin’ 60s & 70s”. Rather than homogenise and cluster […]

‘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: The Pixies at Camden Roundhouse Credit: Denise Esposito

LIVE REVIEW: The Pixies at Camden Roundhouse, London

March 23, 2023

It is hard to believe that The Pixies formed almost 40 years ago. Despite releasing four albums and enjoying huge success, it looked as if the band would not last a decade when frontman Black […]

LIVE REVIEW: Underworld at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

March 21, 2023

The point when normality returned following COVID-19 is debatable but it’s impossible to deny that after an unwanted three-year hiatus, much normality returned when the Teenage Cancer Trust festival was revived in 2022 and saw […]

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// The Answer at Limelight 2, Belfast

March 24, 2023

Irish rockers The Answer made a spectacular and long-awaited return to Limelight 2, Belfast last night in support of ‘Sundowners’ – their first studio album in almost seven years. Bernie McAllister was there to take […]

IN FOCUS// Lamb of God at OVO Arena, Wembley, London

March 22, 2023

After postponements and venue moves, American heavy metal giants Lamb of God finally made it to London and gave a spectacular show. Support came from Sylosis and Kreator – two intense and heavy bands. Lamb […]

Derry four piece THE WOOD BURNING SAVAGES to play Limelight, Belfast show

March 25, 2023

Sophie Ellis-Bextor shares new track 'Everything is Sweet'

March 23, 2023

Following her recent single ‘Breaking The Circle’, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has shared a new track ‘Everything Is Sweet’, which is taken from her seventh studio album ‘HANA’ released on 2nd June via Cooking Vinyl. A glorious […]

JAMES announce details of their new double album 'Be Opened By The Wonderful'

March 23, 2023

JAMES have announced details of their new album in celebration of their 40th Anniversary. BE OPENED BY THE WONDERFUL is a 20-track – 19 vinyl – a double album of some of their most loved […]

INTERVIEW: Natalia Damini & Tito Jackson Talk 'Attitude'

March 22, 2023

“I think she is a very gifted performer.” While any female artist would love to hear or read, and perhaps has heard or read, such a statement from others over the course of their career, […]

INTERVIEW: Indie pop-funk outfit Thumpasaurus on new single 'Lipstick Makeup'

March 20, 2023

Los Angeles-based indie pop-funk outfit Thumpasaurus recently released their latest single/music video, “Lipstick Makeup.” According to Thumpasaurus, “‘Lipstick Makeup’ is about saying f*ck it. I’m letting my freak out tonight and getting real nice with […]

Derry four piece THE WOOD BURNING SAVAGES to play Limelight, Belfast show

PETE TOWNSHEND releases ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’ - his first solo single in 29 years

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS unveil new track ‘Dead To The World’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Depeche Mode - Memento Mori

ALBUM REVIEW: King Cedar - Everything More & Other Stories

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley - Music Is In Everything

BOOK REVIEW: Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin

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: The Pixies at Camden Roundhouse, London

LIVE REVIEW: Underworld at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

IN FOCUS// The Answer at Limelight 2, Belfast

IN FOCUS// Lamb of God at OVO Arena, Wembley, London

Derry four piece THE WOOD BURNING SAVAGES to play Limelight, Belfast show

Sophie Ellis-Bextor shares new track 'Everything is Sweet'

JAMES announce details of their new double album 'Be Opened By The Wonderful'

INTERVIEW: Natalia Damini & Tito Jackson Talk 'Attitude'

INTERVIEW: Indie pop-funk outfit Thumpasaurus on new single 'Lipstick Makeup'

INTERVIEW: Billy Lockett talks ‘Abington Grove’, mental health & the future

INTERVIEW: The Answer's Cormac Neeson on new album 'Sundowners'

INTERVIEW: Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson on new album UK GRIM

INTERVIEW: Tide Lines frontman Robert Robertson on new album ‘An Ocean Full of Islands’

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