Dave McPhillips Archives | XS Noize

RICHARD ASHCROFT announces huge outdoor homecoming at Robin Park, Wigan

November 28, 2023

Today, Richard Ashcroft announces his long-awaited homecoming show at Robin Park, Wigan, on Saturday, 20th July. Tickets go on sale Friday 1st December at 9 am from www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk. This will be the first […]

CROWDED HOUSE announced for Eden Sessions 2024

November 28, 2023

Crowded House are the latest legendary act to be announced for next year’s Eden Sessions. The Australasian rock icons will be performing their decades-spanning hits on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Forming in Melbourne, Australia, in […]

ANNA’S NUMBER announce show at Belfast’s legendary Ulster Hall

November 28, 2023

After sell-out shows at Limelight and the new Mandela Hall, Anna’s Number now takes to the stage at Belfast’s legendary Ulster Hall, setting their sights on bigger and better things. The showband for the Instagram […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Vince Clarke – Songs of Silence

November 17, 2023

When you review an album, you usually get a bit of spiel from the PR company telling you a bit about the background of the artist and some details about their new release. The second […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Madness – Theatre of the Absurd presents C’est La Vie

November 16, 2023

I recall watching an interview with Madness frontman Suggs in 2009 as he discussed their 9th studio album (10th if you count The Madness), The Liberty of Norton Folgate. He remarked how if you had […]

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: Bob Mould at The Garage, London

November 26, 2023

The revered cult status of Bob Mould is, in many respects, an enigma. Mould is best known for his work in Hüsker Dü, which had modest commercial success. His biggest-selling LP, Copper Blue, was with […]

Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Brand New Heavies at Barbican Centre, London

November 13, 2023

The Brand New Heavies began life in 1985 as an instrumental acid jazz group called Brothers International and changed their name once they signed their first record contract. When any band is still going strong […]

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 Sisters of Mercy at Rock City, Nottingham

November 22, 2023

One of the most mysterious bands from the 80s with a huge underground following, The Sisters of Mercy, visited Nottingham on Sunday, November 19th, as a part of their Autumn 2023 tour. Andrew Eldritch, Ben […]

Gareth Dunlop at Ulster Hall, Belfast © Bernie McAllister

IN FOCUS// Gareth Dunlop at Ulster Hall, Belfast

November 15, 2023

Far From Saints were at The Ulster Hall, Belfast, as part of their extensive UK and Ireland tour with support from Belfast’s synth-pop artist, Gareth Dunlop, who played a fantastic set. Bernie McAllister was there […]

INTERVIEW: Donna Lewis on How A Challenging Period in Her Life Inspired New Album ‘Rooms With A View’

November 23, 2023

In 2021, “I Love You, Always, Forever”, the smash hit by Donna Lewis, turned 25. Lewis had BIG plans to mark the occasion, but a breast cancer diagnosis and gruelling treatment and recovery period (not […]

INTERVIEW: Australian pop-rocker G Flip on new single 'Good Enough'

November 13, 2023

Meet the Australian pop-rocker G Flip, who recently released their new single/music video, “Good Enough,” a track lifted from their latest album, DRUMMER. “Good Enough” is a brilliant example of the heat this nonbinary artist […]

INTERVIEW: Mark Hegan discusses his debut EP – 'Human Mind'

November 6, 2023

It’s been a busy few years for Bangor native Mark Hegan. Since 2019, he has released no fewer than nine singles and relentlessly performed on every stage he can get his two feet on. Having […]

INTERVIEW: Exploring the Creative Fusion of Paul Simonon and Galen Ayers in Galen & Paul

November 29, 2023

In episode #157 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Galen & Paul, a new project from Galen Ayers, the singer-songwriter whose artistic projects include the rightly acclaimed solo album ‘Monument’, and Paul Simonon, […]

INTERVIEW: Future Islands frontman Samuel T. Herring on new album 'People Who Aren't There Anymore'

November 22, 2023

In episode #156 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Future Islands frontman Samuel T. Herring to discuss their new album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore, released on 26 January 2024. The seventh album […]

INTERVIEW: Exploring Junodream's Debut Album 'Pools of Colour'

November 15, 2023

In episode #155 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Ed Vyvyan and Tom Rea from dream rock four-piece junodream about their debut album, Pools Of Colour. Lined ten tracks deep, the band’s debut […]

INTERVIEW: The Coronas' Danny O'Reilly - "Playing live is like a drug to me"

August 15, 2019 XS Noize

The Coronas return to Belfast with their Biggest NI headline show yet at Custom House Square (CHSQ) on Friday 23rd August 2019. They will be joined on the night by very special guest, Tom Odell […]

XS Noize | Latest Music News

RICHARD ASHCROFT announces huge outdoor homecoming at Robin Park, Wigan

CROWDED HOUSE announced for Eden Sessions 2024

ANNA’S NUMBER announce show at Belfast’s legendary Ulster Hall

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Vince Clarke – Songs of Silence

ALBUM REVIEW: Madness – Theatre of the Absurd presents C’est La Vie

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: Bob Mould at The Garage, London

LIVE REVIEW: Brand New Heavies at Barbican Centre, London

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

IN FOCUS// The Sisters of Mercy at Rock City, Nottingham

IN FOCUS// Gareth Dunlop at Ulster Hall, Belfast

RICHARD ASHCROFT announces huge outdoor homecoming at Robin Park, Wigan

CROWDED HOUSE announced for Eden Sessions 2024

ANNA’S NUMBER announce show at Belfast’s legendary Ulster Hall

INTERVIEW: Donna Lewis on How A Challenging Period in Her Life Inspired New Album ‘Rooms With A View’

INTERVIEW: Australian pop-rocker G Flip on new single 'Good Enough'

INTERVIEW: Mark Hegan discusses his debut EP – 'Human Mind'

INTERVIEW: Exploring the Creative Fusion of Paul Simonon and Galen Ayers in Galen & Paul

INTERVIEW: Future Islands frontman Samuel T. Herring on new album 'People Who Aren't There Anymore'

INTERVIEW: Exploring Junodream's Debut Album 'Pools of Colour'

Dave McPhillips

INTERVIEW: The Coronas' Danny O'Reilly - "Playing live is like a drug to me"