Aslan to play headline show at Limelight, Belfast this Saturday 12 October

October 9, 2024

After 40 years of playing with their frontman, Christy Dignam, Joe Jewell, Alan Downey, and Billy McGuiness, they know it’s not the same and never will be, but they have decided to continue playing their […]

Chalk announce headline show at Ulster Sports Club on Thursday 10th April 2025

October 9, 2024

Chalk is the three-piece project of award-winning musicians and filmmakers Ross Cullen, Benedict Goddard, and Luke Niblock. An informed mix of Dublin’s Guitar Band scene and the sweaty hardcore dance floors of their native Belfast, […]

Ricky Warwick announces the release of his new solo album ‘Blood Ties’

October 9, 2024

Ricky Warwick has announced the release of his new solo album Blood Ties, which will be out on 14th March via Earache Records. To coincide with the announcement, Ricky Warwick will release his new single, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Smile – Cutouts

October 7, 2024

The Smile’s third album, Cutouts, is their second release this year, continuing a prolific streak that began with A Light for Attracted Attention in 2022. The Smile, composed of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood alongside Sons […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Desperate Journalist – No Hero

September 26, 2024

Desperate Journalist’s fifth album, No Hero, marks a shift in their creative approach, led by guitarist Rob Hardy and vocalist Jo Bevan’s collaborative experimentation with a Behringer Poly D synth. Hardy wrote demos in isolation on […]

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: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Glen Matlock, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols at Rock City, Nottingham

September 24, 2024

The legendary punk rock pioneers, the Sex Pistols, launched their much-anticipated tour at Rock City, Nottingham, on September 20th, and the night was nothing short of iconic. The stage was set for a high-energy, unforgettable […]

LIVE REVIEW: Moby at The O2, London

September 24, 2024

On September 19th, iconic American producer, DJ, and animal rights activist Moby delivered a truly captivating performance at The O2 arena in London. The evening began with a sensational opening set by powerhouse vocalist Lady […]

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 […]

For more than a decade, L.A. phenoms Touché Amoré have been a driving force as vanguards of the contemporary hardcore scene. Over the years, and across their discography, the band has probed and navigated anxiety, […]

INTERVIEW: Hana Giraldo Talks ‘Reputation’, Artistic Influences & Social Media

September 20, 2024

They say talent often runs in the family, for Hana Giraldo, that has undoubtedly proven to be true. As the daughter of iconic musicians Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Hana has carved her path in […]

INTERVIEW: Sløtface Talks New Album ‘Film Buff’ and Gears Up for Irish Shows

September 19, 2024

Formed by outcast high school students with similar music tastes in the small Norwegian city of Stavanger in 2013, the pop-punk band Sløtface have been on a perpetual increase of notoriety since they began releasing […]

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 […]

Finding ‘Reason Enough’: Inside Crows’ New Album with James Cox and Steve Goddard

October 2, 2024

In Episode #195 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews James Cox and Steve Goddard from Crows about their third studio album, Reason Enough. On Reason Enough, Crows punk spirit remains intact. Sonically, they […]

Fairground Attraction Returns: Eddi Reader and Mark Nevin on the Magic Behind ‘Beautiful Happening’ After 35 Years

September 25, 2024

In Episode #194 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar sits down with Eddi Reader and Mark Nevin of Fairground Attraction to discuss Beautiful Happening, their first album in 35 years. Fairground Attraction is […]

Striking the Match: Mat Peters on IST IST’s New Album ‘Light a Bigger Fire’

September 18, 2024

In Episode #193 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Mat Peters from Manchester four-piece IST IST about their fourth studio album, Light a Bigger Fire. IST IST will release its eagerly anticipated […]

PET SHOP BOYS announce the release of a brand-new studio album ‘Nonetheless’

January 31, 2024 XS Noize

Pet Shop Boys start a busy 2024 by announcing the forthcoming release of a brand-new, 10-track studio album, ‘Nonetheless’, on Parlophone Records on April 26 and five special performances at London’s Royal Opera House in […]

Aslan to play headline show at Limelight, Belfast this Saturday 12 October

Chalk announce headline show at Ulster Sports Club on Thursday 10th April 2025

Ricky Warwick announces the release of his new solo album ‘Blood Ties’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Smile – Cutouts

ALBUM REVIEW: Desperate Journalist – No Hero

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: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Glen Matlock, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols at Rock City, Nottingham

LIVE REVIEW: Moby at The O2, London

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

Aslan to play headline show at Limelight, Belfast this Saturday 12 October

Chalk announce headline show at Ulster Sports Club on Thursday 10th April 2025

Touché Amoré announce Limelight, Belfast show on Wednesday 26th February 2025

INTERVIEW: Hana Giraldo Talks ‘Reputation’, Artistic Influences & Social Media

INTERVIEW: Sløtface Talks New Album ‘Film Buff’ and Gears Up for Irish Shows

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

Finding ‘Reason Enough’: Inside Crows’ New Album with James Cox and Steve Goddard

Fairground Attraction Returns: Eddi Reader and Mark Nevin on the Magic Behind ‘Beautiful Happening’ After 35 Years

Striking the Match: Mat Peters on IST IST’s New Album ‘Light a Bigger Fire’

Nonetheless

PET SHOP BOYS announce the release of a brand-new studio album ‘Nonetheless’