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  • The Veils Return with New Album “Fragile World” — Hear “Lungs” and See UK Dates
  • LIVE REVIEW: Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins Unite for War Child at London’s Emerald Theatre
  • Little Barrie Announce ‘Gravity Freeze’ Out 22 May 2026 – Hear ‘More Bad Miles Of Road’
  • Peter Gabriel Announces 2003 Live Album ‘In The Big Room’ – Out March 13, 2026
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XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • The Veils
          News

          The Veils Return with New Album “Fragile World” — Hear “Lungs” and See UK Dates

          February 27, 2026

          Following the critically acclaimed release of ‘Asphodels’ in 2025, The Veils quickly return with a bold and invigorated new album titled ‘Fragile World’, out 19 June on V2 Records. The first single ‘Lungs’ is released […]

          Little Barrie
          News

          Little Barrie Announce ‘Gravity Freeze’ Out 22 May 2026 – Hear ‘More Bad Miles Of Road’

          February 26, 2026

          Little Barrie announce details of their new album Gravity Freeze, released Friday 22nd May 2026 on Easy Eye Sound. The trio, fronted by in-demand guitarist Barrie Cadogan, also have today shared the first single, ‘More […]

          Peter Gabriel
          News

          Peter Gabriel Announces 2003 Live Album ‘In The Big Room’ – Out March 13, 2026

          February 26, 2026

          Peter Gabriel will release the live album ‘In The Big Room’ on 13 March 2026. In The Big Room captures Peter Gabriel and band recorded live in the Big Room at Real World Studios on […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Iron and Wine - Hen’s Teeth
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Iron and Wine – Hen’s Teeth

          February 23, 2026

          Iron and Wine, the moniker of singer/songwriter Samuel Beam, is releasing his much anticipated follow up to 2024’s Light Verse at the end of February. Hen’s Teeth is a slightly darker sibling to Beam’s poetic […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Nothing - A Short History Of Decay
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Nothing – A Short History Of Decay

          February 20, 2026

          Philadelphia shoegaze standard-bearers Nothing return in 2026 with A Short History Of Decay, a record that feels less like a reinvention and more like a reaffirmation of everything they’ve quietly perfected over the past decade […]

        • 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: Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins Unite for War Child at London’s Emerald Theatre Credit Wiktoria Wolny
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins Unite for War Child at London’s Emerald Theatre

          February 26, 2026

          In the heart of London’s Embankment, the recently opened Emerald Theatre feels part The Great Gatsby, part Emerald City — lavish, theatrical and unapologetically opulent. The room glows in rich green tones and, with its […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Of Monsters and Men Camden Roundhouse, London photos by Martin
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Of Monsters and Men Camden Roundhouse, London

          February 21, 2026

          Of Monsters and Men first broke through in 2010 after winning Músíktilraunir, Iceland’s annual Battle of the Bands. That early victory propelled the then-emerging collective onto the international stage, leading to a European Border Breakers […]

        • 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// 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 […]

          IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland Credit: Becca McCaffrey
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Biffy Clyro at 3Arena Dublin, Ireland

          January 11, 2026

          Biffy Clyro put on a brilliant show at the 3Arena on Saturday, 10 January, delivering a set that was as heavy and intense as it was open and emotional. The sold-out Dublin crowd were treated […]

  • Gigs
        • Hans Zimmer
          Gigs

          Hans Zimmer: The ultimate fan’s guide

          August 27, 2025

          Hans Zimmer, the genius behind Hollywood’s most unforgettable scores, is back on tour with an electrifying live experience to share with his fans. From “Inception” to “Dune”, Zimmer is preparing to transform his soundscapes into […]

          Andrea Bocelli
          Gigs

          The ultimate fans guide to seeing Andrea Bocelli in Amsterdam

          August 21, 2025

          The Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, will be at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on March 29 and 30, 2026. The show will feature a mix of operatic tracks, pop songs, and classical repertoire. Bocelli is […]

          Eros Ramazzotti
          Gigs

          Eros Ramazzotti: Dates, venues, tickets and more

          August 18, 2025

          To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his breakout single, “Una Storia Importante”, Eros Ramazzotti will be performing live on some of the grandest stages across Europe, Latin America, and North America. Ramazzotti is a world-renowned […]

  • Interviews
        • Jordan Anthony
          Interviews

          Jordan Anthony on “Lost In LA”, Finding His Voice in LA & Dream Tour Plans

          February 10, 2026

          He may only be 20, but Perth-born, LA-based artist Jordan Anthony already has more experience within the music industry than many might expect. He was writing songs and playing instruments before he hit double digits, […]

          TAVE
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: TAVE Talks ‘Fly Away,’ Self-Discovery, and the Art of Letting Go

          November 11, 2025

          Rising artist TAVE has had an extraordinary journey — from earning a scholarship at just 13 and performing with some of music’s biggest names to now stepping into the spotlight with his deeply personal debut […]

          :Panic :Over
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: :Panic :Over Are Turning Northern Irish Indie Into a Global Sound

          October 16, 2025

          Neal McClelland meets the Northern Irish band whose anthemic sound is turning heads from Belfast to Tokyo. There’s something electric about catching a band right before liftoff — that mix of confidence, humour, and disbelief […]

  • Podcast
        • credit Yagub Allahverdiyev
          Podcast

          Archive’s Dave Pen on ‘Glass Minds’ and evolving after 30 years | XS Noize Podcast #272

          February 24, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Dave Pen of Archive to talk about Glass Minds — the band’s 13th studio album and a bold new chapter in a […]

          Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271
          Podcast

          Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271

          February 17, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to revisit Howl — the band’s third album and a bold creative left turn […]

          Mark Shaw - Then Jerico | XS Noize Podcast #270
          Podcast

          Mark Shaw of Then Jerico on The Return, legacy, and bringing the full band show to Ireland | XS Noize Podcast #270

          February 10, 2026

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Mark Shaw of Then Jerico to talk about The Return — a moment that reconnects legacy, live energy, and purpose as the […]

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The Specials

The Undertones
Gigs

THE UNDERTONES announce Belfast & Derry shows celebrating 45 years of Teenage Kicks

April 28, 2023 XS Noize

Local legends The Undertones are pleased to announce headline Belfast & Derry shows at The Telegraph Building, Belfast, on Saturday, November 25th and the Millennium Forum, Derry, on Friday, November 24th 2023. The shows will […]

Terry Hall
Gigs

A NIGHT FOR TERRY HALL announced at the Limelight 1 in memory of The Specials’ lead singer Terry Hall

March 13, 2023 XS Noize

A very special night has been announced at the Limelight 1 in memory of musical pioneer, The Specials’ lead singer Terry Hall who passed away following a brief illness in December. The celebration falls on […]

LIVE REVIEW: Neville Staple Band at Boiler Shop, Newcastle upon Tyne, 15th October 2022
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Neville Staple Band at Boiler Shop, Newcastle upon Tyne

October 18, 2022 Iam Burn

I can’t believe it’s been 40 years since “Ghost Town” hit the top of the singles charts. The Specials anthemic track is still relevant today, a song about social issues such as racial tensions and […]

THE SPECIALS share video for new single 'Freedom Highway' - Watch Now
Gigs

THE SPECIALS share video for new single ‘Freedom Highway’ – Watch Now

September 3, 2021 XS Noize

The Specials whose eagerly awaited new album “Protest Songs – 1924 -2012” is released on October 1st have dropped a video for one of the album’s standout tracks “Freedom Highway”. Written by Pops Staples and […]

THE SPECIALS return with the release of their brand new album 'Protest Songs – 1924 -2012'
New Music

THE SPECIALS return with the release of their brand new album ‘Protest Songs – 1924 -2012’

August 17, 2021 XS Noize

The Specials who enjoyed a triumphant 2019 with the release of the critically acclaimed “Encore”, their first-ever number 1 album, coming 40 years after they exploded onto the music scene and launched the 2 Tone […]

THE NEVILLE STAPLE BAND Release New Single “Put Away Your Knives” - Listen Now
News

THE NEVILLE STAPLE BAND Release New Single “Put Away Your Knives” – Listen Now

April 30, 2019 XS Noize

Check out this amazing song, “Put Away Your Knives”, by the Neville Staple Band, with its 2Tone influenced punky ska and reggae mix, along with the on-point lyrics that focus on the current knife crime […]

THE SPECIALS to play at OPEN HOUSE BANGOR, this August
Gigs

THE SPECIALS to play at OPEN HOUSE BANGOR, this August

March 14, 2019 XS Noize

Legendary English band The Specials will visit Bangor, County Down, this August to play an outdoor concert as part of Open House Festival. The gig on Bangor seafront, overlooking the marina and Bangor Bay, will […]

THE SPECIALS Release New Single ‘Vote For Me’ from New Album ‘Encore’- Listen Now
News

THE SPECIALS release lyric video for ’Vote For Me’ – Watch Now

January 4, 2019 XS Noize

The Specials, one of the most electrifying, influential and important bands of all time, follow the announcement of ‘Encore’, their first new album in 37 years, with the release of their new single “Vote For […]

THE SPECIALS Release New Single ‘Vote For Me’ from New Album ‘Encore’- Listen Now
News

THE SPECIALS Release New Single ‘Vote For Me’ from New Album ‘Encore’- Listen Now

December 3, 2018 XS Noize

The Specials, one of the most electrifying, influential and important British bands of all time, have unveiled details of Encore, their first new album in 37 years. The album will be released on February 1st, […]

THE SPECIALS to release brand new album
Gigs

THE SPECIALS announce “Encore” 40th Anniversary Tour 2019

October 30, 2018 XS Noize

The Specials, one of the most electrifying, influential and important bands of all time have announced a 31-date European and UK tour in support of their just announced brand new album, “Encore”. “Encore”, The Specials first new […]

THE SPECIALS to release brand new album
News

THE SPECIALS to release brand new album

October 26, 2018 XS Noize

The Specials, one of the most electrifying, influential and important bands of all time, release “Encore”, their first new music for 37 years via UMC /Island Records on February 1st. 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the formation […]

GEORGIA & The VINTAGE YOUTH Releases Collection of Tracks from Previous EP'S 1
News

GEORGIA & The VINTAGE YOUTH Releases Collection of Tracks from Previous EP’S

August 7, 2018 XS Noize

Georgia is just 21 years of age, Essex girl with a big voice, big blonde hair and a cool little jazz band called The Vintage Youth. Her retro jazz/swing style of music is both vintage […]

Track of the Day: Death of Guitar Pop - Rickety Old Train
The Listening Post

Neville Staple (The Specials) appears on Death Of Guitar Pop’s New Single

September 21, 2017 XS Noize

Essex-based DEATH OF GUITAR POP have announced details of their debut album ’69 Candy Street’ (out November 10th), a new single ‘Suburban Ska Club’ (which features Neville Staple of The Specials), and their debut live […]

JERRY DALMERS issues press statement re: death of legendary Jamaican trombonist RICO RODRIGUEZ
News

JERRY DALMERS issues press statement re: death of legendary Jamaican trombonist RICO RODRIGUEZ

September 6, 2015 XS Noize

RICO RODRIGUEZ Deceased 4th September 2015 An appreciation by Jerry Dammers, founder of The Specials and 2 Tone records. 5th September 2015. It’s hard to express how sad I feel about the death of Rico […]

LATEST PODCASTS

  • credit Yagub Allahverdiyev
    Archive’s Dave Pen on ‘Glass Minds’ and evolving after 30 years | XS Noize Podcast #272
    February 24, 2026
  • Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271
    Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Re-Examining Howl | XS Noize Podcast #271
    February 17, 2026
  • Mark Shaw - Then Jerico | XS Noize Podcast #270
    Mark Shaw of Then Jerico on The Return, legacy, and bringing the full band show to Ireland | XS Noize Podcast #270
    February 10, 2026
  • Desertflowerboots_H - photo credit Sandrita Cardenas 1
    Crispian Mills of Kula Shaker on creativity, chaos, and Wormslayer | XS Noize Podcast #269
    February 8, 2026
  • Dani Larkin
    Dani Larkin on Next Of Kin: life, loss, and learning to stay open | XS Noize Podcast #268
    February 3, 2026
  • Paul Draper
    Paul Draper on Mansun Retold: revisiting old songs with new perspective | XS Noize Podcast #267
    January 27, 2026

TOP UK MUSIC BLOG 2026

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  • Bad Bunny6 of Bad Bunny’s biggest selling hits August 5, 2025
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  • WOLF ALICEWolf Alice Announce Belfast Show at Custom House Square for August 29, 2026 February 24, 2026

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