Glen Hansard Announces ‘Don+t Settle – Transmissions West,’ Recorded Live at Berlin’s Funkhaus

June 2, 2026

Glen Hansard has announced that Don+t Settle – Transmissions West, the second volume of his new album Don+t Settle – Transmissions East & West, will be released on June 26th, 2026. Recorded over two nights […]

Belle and Sebastian release Scotland World Cup anthem ‘It Only Takes One Lion’

June 2, 2026

Belle & Sebastian dial up World Cup fever with ‘It Only Takes One Lion’, their bid for Scotland’s tournament anthem. Written following Scotland’s 4-2 qualifying win against Denmark and premiered at London’s Royal Albert Hall […]

Duran Duran announce Belfast show at the SSE Arena on 18th October

June 1, 2026

Global music icons Duran Duran have announced their first full UK arena tour in three years. Taking place in October, the shows land amongst another landmark year for Duran Duran, surrounded by the release of […]

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 […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Mull Historical Society – In My Mind There’s a Photograph

May 26, 2026

For Mull Historical Society’s last album, Colin MacIntyre — who is, in essence, Mull Historical Society — invited acclaimed authors to write lyrics for his musical compositions. The result was 2023’s In My Mind There’s […]

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: 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 […]

LIVE REVIEW: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance

May 14, 2026

Kiefer Sutherland may be known across the world as an actor and producer, but on stage at Union Chapel, that part of his life felt almost beside the point. With his fourth album, Grey, due […]

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. […]

Glen Hansard Announces ‘Don+t Settle – Transmissions West,’ Recorded Live at Berlin’s Funkhaus

Belle and Sebastian release Scotland World Cup anthem ‘It Only Takes One Lion’

Duran Duran announce Belfast show at the SSE Arena on 18th October

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Sparta – Cut A Silhouette

ALBUM REVIEW: Mull Historical Society – In My Mind There’s a Photograph

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

LIVE REVIEW: Kiefer Sutherland proves his country credentials with a heartfelt Union Chapel performance

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’

The Hoosiers on ‘Compassion’ and Finding Joy in Difficult Times | XS Noize Podcast #287

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

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

Compassion

The Hoosiers on ‘Compassion’ and Finding Joy in Difficult Times | XS Noize Podcast #287