30 Years of Fugees’ Iconic Album ‘The Score’ to Be Celebrated at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre

April 24, 2026

As part of CQAF 26, join us as we celebrate 30 years of the Fugees’ iconic album The Score with Blackjack + Jai Sian offering their take on this classic. From São Paulo to Belfast […]

MUSE unleash heavy new single ‘Cryogen’ from forthcoming album The Wow! Signal

April 24, 2026

MUSE release their fiery new single, “Cryogen.” The explosive track is the third taste of the band’s forthcoming tenth studio album, The Wow! Signal, which they announced in a broadcast from space last month and […]

TRICKY announces new album ‘Different When It’s Silent’ and shares new single ‘Out Of Place’

April 22, 2026

The legendary artist and producer Tricky today announces his new album, Different When It’s Silent, out 17 July 2026 via False Idols. His 15th studio album and first full-length release under his own name in six […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Stuck – Optimizer

April 21, 2026

The dormant gears of Chicago’s post-punk stalwarts have finally ground back into motion. Following a three-year break, Stuck return with Optimizer, a record that suggests the only way to navigate a collapsing world is to […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Dandy Warhols – Pin Ups

March 25, 2026

There’s long been a subtle rebellious streak at the core of The Dandy Warhols. Since emerging from Portland in 1994, they’ve approached genres as something fluid rather than fixed, and Pin Ups – their 2026 […]

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 […]

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 […]

LIVE REVIEW: Gorillaz bring ‘The Mountain’ to Belfast — no nostalgia at the SSE Arena debut

April 1, 2026

Gorillaz finally made it to Belfast — and instead of rolling out a greatest hits set, they came in with something very different. Support came from Argentine rapper, singer and songwriter Trueno, and I’ve never […]

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

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. […]

30 Years of Fugees’ Iconic Album ‘The Score’ to Be Celebrated at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre

MUSE unleash heavy new single ‘Cryogen’ from forthcoming album The Wow! Signal

TRICKY announces new album ‘Different When It’s Silent’ and shares new single ‘Out Of Place’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Stuck – Optimizer

ALBUM REVIEW: The Dandy Warhols – Pin Ups

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

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

LIVE REVIEW: Gorillaz bring ‘The Mountain’ to Belfast — no nostalgia at the SSE Arena debut

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’

Miles Hunt on 40 years of The Wonder Stuff, burnout, Vent 414 and starting over | XS Noize Podcast #281

Carol Decker on success, heartbreak, and finding her way back with T’Pau | XS Noize Podcast #280

The Boxer Rebellion on ‘The Second I’m Asleep’ and the reset that brought them back | XS Noize Podcast #279

the Fugees

30 Years of Fugees’ Iconic Album ‘The Score’ to Be Celebrated at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre