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  • INTERVIEW: Chimers’ Padraic Skehan on Lockdown Origins, Wollongong & Playing Loud
  • The Proclaimers Share New Single ‘You May Offend’ From Forthcoming Album
  • Kasabian Share New Single ‘SUPERPOWERS’ From Forthcoming Album ‘Act III’
  • Enter Shikari Announce Belfast Show At The Telegraph Building
  • Rosa Walton on ‘Tell Me It’s A Dream’, Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077 | XS Noize Podcast #290
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  • News
        • The Proclaimers
          News

          The Proclaimers Share New Single ‘You May Offend’ From Forthcoming Album

          June 26, 2026

          The Proclaimers have shared “You May Offend,” the title track from their forthcoming new album, out September 11 via Cooking Vinyl. The album is Craig and Charlie Reid’s first since 2022’s Dentures Out and marks […]

          Kasabian
          News

          Kasabian Share New Single ‘SUPERPOWERS’ From Forthcoming Album ‘Act III’

          June 26, 2026

          Kasabian have shared their new single “SUPERPOWERS,” the third track to be taken from their forthcoming ninth studio album, Act III, out September 4. The new single follows the announcement of Act III and the […]

          Enter Shikari
          News

          Enter Shikari Announce Belfast Show At The Telegraph Building

          June 24, 2026

          Enter Shikari will bring their Lose Your Self Tour to The Telegraph Building, Belfast, on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. The St Albans band will be joined on the night by Girlfriend. Tickets go on sale […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          MOMO - Tum Tum Tum
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: MOMO – Tum Tum Tum

          June 19, 2026

          London-based Brazilian multi-instrumentalist MOMO returns with Tum Tum Tum, an eight-track collection recorded live in South London. Twenty years and eight albums into his career, the record reflects an artist still in motion, refining his […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace - Avalanche
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace – Avalanche

          June 10, 2026

          For three decades, West Yorkshire’s finest have been a steadfast pillar of the British music scene. Celebrating their 30-year milestone in 2026, Embrace return with their highly anticipated ninth studio album, Avalanche. It’s a record […]

        • Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N - Esther Yi
          Book Reviews

          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
          Book Reviews

          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 […]

        • Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 25: Looking back at the orphan child in U2's discography 2
          Classic Albums

          ‘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 2
          Album Reviews

          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 Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Mulatu Astatke Brings Ethio-Jazz Mastery To Meltdown Festival Credit: Pete Woodhead
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Mulatu Astatke Brings Ethio-Jazz Mastery To Meltdown Festival

          June 19, 2026

          It is often said that engineers become inventors because they possess the technical knowledge, discipline and imagination needed to turn ideas into functional realities. Mulatu Astatke’s story makes that connection feel especially apt. Born in […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival Credit: Pete Woodhead
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival

          June 16, 2026

          It has been a significant year for the Southbank Centre, which recently received a £10 million grant as part of its 75th birthday celebrations. Adding to that sense of occasion, Harry Styles was announced as […]

        • Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018
          Round Up

          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
          Round Up

          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

          IN FOCUS: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer) Credit: Marc Leach
          IN FOCUS

          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 Credit: Denise Esposito
          IN FOCUS

          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 […]

  • Gigs
        • December 10
          Gigs

          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
          Gigs

          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
          Gigs

          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 […]

  • Interviews
        • Chimers
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Chimers’ Padraic Skehan on Lockdown Origins, Wollongong & Playing Loud

          June 26, 2026

          Based in the vibrant coastal hub of Wollongong, Australia, Chimers have rapidly evolved from a lockdown project into one of the most vital post-punk forces in the Southern Hemisphere. Formed in 2020 by life partners […]

          Col Gerrard
          Interviews

          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 […]

          Ganser
          Interviews

          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 […]

  • Podcast
        • ROSA WALTON
          Podcast

          Rosa Walton on ‘Tell Me It’s A Dream’, Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077 | XS Noize Podcast #290

          June 23, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Rosa Walton. Best known as one half of Let’s Eat Grandma alongside Jenny Hollingworth, Rosa joins Mark to discuss her debut […]

          Dea Matrona
          Podcast

          Dea Matrona on ‘Hate That I Care’ and Creative Independence | XS Noize Podcast #289

          June 16, 2026

          Belfast rock duo Dea Matrona join Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss their second album, Hate That I Care — a bold, more personal and self-assured new chapter for Mollie McGinn and […]

          Embrace
          Podcast

          Danny McNamara on Embrace’s New Album ‘Avalanche’ and Why Life Doesn’t Wait | XS Noize Podcast #288

          June 9, 2026

          Danny McNamara joins the XS Noize Podcast to discuss Embrace’s new album Avalanche, 30 years of the band, fatherhood, songwriting, The Good Will Out and why life doesn’t wait. […]

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  • Simon Mason

Simon Mason

HIGHTOWN PIRATES release incredible new single ‘The Boy In The Doorway’
New Music

HIGHTOWN PIRATES release incredible new single ‘The Boy In The Doorway’

February 4, 2021 XS Noize

‘The Boy In The Doorway’ is the latest single from Margate via London, via Brighton, via Liverpool revolving group of musicians that goes under the guise of Hightown Pirates, led by Simon Mason. The band’s […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Hightown Pirates - All of the Above
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Hightown Pirates – All of the Above

April 28, 2020 Sandra Blemster

The Hightown Pirates was formed by Simon Mason. He penned the critically acclaimed rock n roll memoir Too High Too Far Too Soon: Tales from a Dubious Past in 2013. Back in the 90s, Mason […]

HIGHTOWN PIRATES release 'Girl from the Library' the first single from their forthcoming new album 'All of the Above'
News

HIGHTOWN PIRATES release ‘Girl from the Library’ the first single from their forthcoming new album ‘All of the Above’

April 7, 2020 XS Noize

Hightown Pirates today release ‘Girl from the Library’ the first single from their forthcoming new album ‘All of the Above.’ Hightown Pirates is the band formed by Simon Mason. Simon Mason is best known for […]

#34. XS Noize Music Podcast: HIGHTOWN PIRATES frontman SIMON MASON on debut album 'DRY AND HIGH'
The Listening Post

HIGHTOWN PIRATES release a new single in aid of homeless charity, The Charter Street Mission – Listen Now

December 18, 2018 XS Noize

Hightown Pirates release a new single in aid of homeless charity The Charter Street Mission. Hightown Pirates is the band formed by Simon Mason. Simon Mason is best known for his critically acclaimed book Too High Too Far […]

VIDEO PREMIERE: Hightown Pirates - 'Chasing Rainbows' - Watch Now!
Video Premiere

VIDEO PREMIERE: Hightown Pirates – ‘Chasing Rainbows’ – Watch Now!

November 16, 2017 XS Noize

This incredibly moving video is a short film made by Ollie Smith, accompanying and inspired by the track ‘Chasing Rainbows’ from the debut album by Hightown Pirates. It is already being picked out as one […]

HIGHTOWN PIRATES Release Their debut album, 'DRY AND HIGH', in June 1
Gigs

HIGHTOWN PIRATES to release brilliant debut album ‘Dry and High’ in November

October 12, 2017 XS Noize

Set for release on 10 November, ‘Dry And High’ is the debut album from Hightown Pirates. Fronted by musician and writer Simon Mason, Hightown Pirates is a project from Simon’s heart and soul. His friendship […]

Album Review: HIGHTOWN PIRATES - 'Dry and High' 2
Album Reviews

Album Review: HIGHTOWN PIRATES – ‘Dry and High’

June 19, 2017 Sandra Blemster

The Hightown Pirates’ formed by Simon Mason release their debut album Dry and High this month. The conception began through Mason’s friendship with Mick Head (Pale Fountains and Shack) in Liverpool and also a tour […]

#34. XS Noize Music Podcast: HIGHTOWN PIRATES frontman SIMON MASON on debut album 'DRY AND HIGH'
Podcast

#34. XS Noize Music Podcast: HIGHTOWN PIRATES frontman SIMON MASON on debut album ‘DRY AND HIGH’

June 12, 2017 XS Noize

Welcome to episode #34 of the XS Noize Music Podcast. This episode Mark Millar is joined by Hightown Pirates frontman Simon Mason to talk about their debut album, Dry and High, will be released June […]

HIGHTOWN PIRATES Release Their debut album, 'DRY AND HIGH', in June 1
News

HIGHTOWN PIRATES Release Their debut album, ‘DRY AND HIGH’, in June

April 24, 2017 XS Noize

Introducing Hightown Pirates with their debut album Dry and High with stunning artwork by Pete Doherty. Hightown Pirates is the band formed by Simon Mason. His friendship with Mick Head (Shack) sowed the seed, conceived […]

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  • Dea Matrona
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  • Embrace
    Danny McNamara on Embrace’s New Album ‘Avalanche’ and Why Life Doesn’t Wait | XS Noize Podcast #288
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