SHACK to release their classic ‘HMS Fable’ for the first time on vinyl

September 16, 2024

One of the most iconic albums to hail from Merseyside. HMS Fable was the third LP released from Shack following 1988’s Zilch and 1995’s Waterpistol. A collection of majestic storytelling in guitar form, written by […]

DAVID GRAY announces new album, world tour & shares new single ‘Plus & Minus’

September 13, 2024

David Gray’s story is unlike any other. He spent almost a decade striving to make a breakthrough, and when it happened, it did so in the biggest way imaginable as White Ladder became one of […]

DURAN DURAN announce ‘Danse Macabre – De Luxe’ & share new track ‘New Moon (Dark Phase)’

September 13, 2024

With the first anniversary of their celebrated album DANSE MACABRE approaching, Duran Duran announces DANSE MACABRE—DE LUXE, a revamped version of the original, set for digital release on 11 October and CD and box set […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Hello Mary – Emita Ox

September 11, 2024

I have always had a very keen and slightly morbid interest in the nuclear apocalypse. Growing up in the 1980s Cold War era, when Reagan, Brezhnev, and Thatcher all seemed ready to set the world on […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Dale Crover – Glossolalia

September 11, 2024

Dale Crover was already well assured of a place in musical history long before he embarked on a solo career. Having initially been recruited from an Iron Maiden cover band, Crover has served as the […]

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: Snow Patrol at Koko, London

September 12, 2024

Snow Patrol, a band more accustomed to filling 20,000-capacity venues like London’s O2 Arena, treated fans to an intimate performance at the 1,500-capacity Koko—a refurbished gem in Camden, London, that reopened in 2022. The venue’s […]

LIVE REVIEW: Death Cab for Cutie & The Postal Service at All Points East

August 27, 2024

This year’s All Points East delivered a series of spectacular moments, starting with producer Kaytranada, who captivated the audience with his hits, including Victoria Monet’s “Alright.” The festival hit a triple high with three standout […]

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// Jungle at Utilita Arena, Birmingham

September 2, 2024

Jungle, the electronic duo who clinched the 2024 BRIT Awards’ Group of the Year title, delivered a remarkable performance at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Originally slated as the headlining act for The Centenary Square […]

IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at Custom House Square, Belfast © Bernie McAllister

IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS & Special Guests at Custom House Square, Belfast

August 19, 2024

Legendary NI Punks STIFF LITTLE FINGERS returned to Custom House Square for another memorable night in Belfast on Saturday, 17th August 2024, alongside an all-star line-up of very special guests & friends, including THE DAMNED, THE […]

DAVID GRAY announces new album, world tour & shares new single ‘Plus & Minus’

September 13, 2024

David Gray’s story is unlike any other. He spent almost a decade striving to make a breakthrough, and when it happened, it did so in the biggest way imaginable as White Ladder became one of […]

COURTEENERS Unveil Title Track ‘Pink Cactus Café’ from Upcoming Album Ahead of November UK Arena Tour

September 12, 2024

Courteeners have released the title track from their forthcoming seventh album, Pink Cactus Café. A melancholy daydream of a song that arrives just in time to soundtrack these last disappearing days of summer, Pink Cactus […]

JAMES BLUNT announces 3Arena, Dublin show as part of his ‘Back To Bedlam’ 20th anniversary tour

September 11, 2024

James Blunt brings his ‘Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary Tour’ live to 3Arena Dublin on 6th March 2025. This follows the news of his SOLD-OUT Dublin show at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, […]

INTERVIEW: Myles Rodenhouse of Earthquake Lights Discusses Their Latest Album ‘Signs of Life’

September 12, 2024

Brooklyn-based alt-rock outfit Earthquake Lights recently released their latest album, Signs of Life. The album explores the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies, coming to terms with past mistakes, and assessing where one has been and where […]

INTERVIEW: Talking with EV0 and Jon Kristian of Makes My Blood Dance

August 28, 2024

Brooklyn-based electro-goth-punk, disco-metal group Makes My Blood Dance, whose sound incorporates cyberpunk, synth-wave, metal, and pop elements, recently released their new single/music video, “Heavy Metal Amour.” Founded by frontman EVO and Jon Kristian (guitar, programming), […]

SHACK to release their classic ‘HMS Fable’ for the first time on vinyl

DAVID GRAY announces new album, world tour & shares new single ‘Plus & Minus’

DURAN DURAN announce ‘Danse Macabre – De Luxe’ & share new track ‘New Moon (Dark Phase)’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Hello Mary – Emita Ox

ALBUM REVIEW: Dale Crover – Glossolalia

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: Snow Patrol at Koko, London

LIVE REVIEW: Death Cab for Cutie & The Postal Service at All Points East

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

IN FOCUS// Jungle at Utilita Arena, Birmingham

IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS & Special Guests at Custom House Square, Belfast

DAVID GRAY announces new album, world tour & shares new single ‘Plus & Minus’

COURTEENERS Unveil Title Track ‘Pink Cactus Café’ from Upcoming Album Ahead of November UK Arena Tour

JAMES BLUNT announces 3Arena, Dublin show as part of his ‘Back To Bedlam’ 20th anniversary tour

INTERVIEW: Myles Rodenhouse of Earthquake Lights Discusses Their Latest Album ‘Signs of Life’

INTERVIEW: Talking with EV0 and Jon Kristian of Makes My Blood Dance

INTERVIEW: ASHRR’s Josh Charles Discusses Their New Single “Sway”

Betty Boo on Defying Expectations with new album “Rip Up The Rulebook”

Exploring Northern Gentleman with Kav Sandhu of Blitz Vega on Their Debut Album

Shining a Light: Legendary Bassist Peter Hook on Joy Division, New Order, and The Light

Hey Charlie

WATCH: Hey Charlie reveal new video for ‘Young + Lonesome’