Stephen Wilson Jr. announces headline show at SSE Arena Belfast on 15 October 2026

March 17, 2026

Stephen Wilson Jr. has recently exploded from critical darling to rising star, earning a CMA Award nomination for New Artist of the Year and performing on the broadcast twice. Following his critically-acclaimed debut double album […]

Josh Groban reveals new album CINEMATIC, set for release May 8

March 17, 2026

Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban has announced his new album, CINEMATIC, arriving May 8th via Reprise Records. A tribute to the grand and gorgeous world of the […]

Ed O’Brien announces new album ‘Blue Morpho’ out 22 May 2026, and shares title track

March 17, 2026

Ed O’Brien announces Blue Morpho, his absorbing, second solo album and first under his own name, out 22 May 2026 via his new label home, Transgressive, and releases the title track. O’Brien likes to quote the Kentucky poet and farmer […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Prostitute – Attempted Martyr

March 11, 2026

After teasing listeners with a partial release last year, Michigan-based industrial/noise rock outfit Prostitute now formally unveil their debut album Attempted Martyr via Mute Records. Formed around frontman Moe and drummer Andrew, Prostitute also features […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Harry Styles – Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally

March 6, 2026

The moment has arrived at last for Harry Styles fans. Cool haircuts, ballet pumps, marathons, Italian cookery and an impeccably trousered appearance at the Brit Awards can all be set aside as HS4 has finally […]

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: Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins Unite for War Child at London’s Emerald Theatre

February 26, 2026

In the heart of London’s Embankment, the recently opened Emerald Theatre feels part The Great Gatsby, part Emerald City — lavish, theatrical and unapologetically opulent. The room glows in rich green tones and, with its […]

LIVE REVIEW: Of Monsters and Men Camden Roundhouse, London

February 21, 2026

Of Monsters and Men first broke through in 2010 after winning Músíktilraunir, Iceland’s annual Battle of the Bands. That early victory propelled the then-emerging collective onto the international stage, leading to a European Border Breakers […]

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// 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 […]

IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland

January 11, 2026

Biffy Clyro put on a brilliant show at the 3Arena on Saturday, 10 January, delivering a set that was as heavy and intense as it was open and emotional. The sold-out Dublin crowd were treated […]

Hans Zimmer: The ultimate fan’s guide

August 27, 2025

Hans Zimmer, the genius behind Hollywood’s most unforgettable scores, is back on tour with an electrifying live experience to share with his fans. From “Inception” to “Dune”, Zimmer is preparing to transform his soundscapes into […]

The ultimate fans guide to seeing Andrea Bocelli in Amsterdam

August 21, 2025

The Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, will be at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on March 29 and 30, 2026. The show will feature a mix of operatic tracks, pop songs, and classical repertoire. Bocelli is […]

Eros Ramazzotti: Dates, venues, tickets and more

August 18, 2025

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his breakout single, “Una Storia Importante”, Eros Ramazzotti will be performing live on some of the grandest stages across Europe, Latin America, and North America. Ramazzotti is a world-renowned […]

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. […]

Stephen Wilson Jr. announces headline show at SSE Arena Belfast on 15 October 2026

Josh Groban reveals new album CINEMATIC, set for release May 8

Ed O’Brien announces new album ‘Blue Morpho’ out 22 May 2026, and shares title track

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Prostitute – Attempted Martyr

ALBUM REVIEW: Harry Styles – Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally

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: Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins Unite for War Child at London’s Emerald Theatre

LIVE REVIEW: Of Monsters and Men Camden Roundhouse, London

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

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

IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland

Hans Zimmer: The ultimate fan’s guide

The ultimate fans guide to seeing Andrea Bocelli in Amsterdam

Eros Ramazzotti: Dates, venues, tickets and more

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

Jordan Anthony on “Lost In LA”, Finding His Voice in LA & Dream Tour Plans

INTERVIEW: TAVE Talks ‘Fly Away,’ Self-Discovery, and the Art of Letting Go

Damon Minchella on Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller and ‘You’d Look Good on a Donkey’ | XS Noize Podcast #275

Steve Lillywhite on Producing U2 — From Boy to Achtung Baby & Beyond | XS Noize Podcast #274

“We’re Always Making Music for Ourselves” — The Dream Machine on ‘Fort Perch Rock’ | XS Noize Podcast #273

Carnival

Irish duo DARK TROPICS release music video for new single ‘Carnival’