Skunk Anansie announce 2025 UK headline tour

October 14, 2024

British rock icons Skunk Anansie roar back into action next year with a huge UK headline tour in Spring 2025. Promising an entirely brand new production, the tour will usher in an exciting new era […]

The Cure to live stream their only full live show of the year at Troxy in London for free

October 11, 2024

THE CURE will play their only full live show of the year at Troxy in London on 1st November, the night the band releases their long-awaited new album, ‘SONGS OF A LOST WORLD’. The show […]

Simple Minds announce 40th anniversary special edition of classic album ‘Sparkle In The Rain’

October 11, 2024

Originally released in February 1984, Sparkle In The Rain was Simple Minds’ sixth studio album and, following 1982’s crossover album New Gold Dream, the one to cement their commercial success. It gave them their first […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Permafrost – The Light Coming Through

October 11, 2024

If you are a fan of Interpol’s sinister menace, The Cure’s jagged guitar lines, or New Order’s electronic bass lines, you may want to check out Permafrost. This enigmatic Nordic/British quartet’s music is a mix […]

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 […]

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: Crowded House at O2 Arena, London

October 12, 2024

Crowded House has been remarkably prolific in recent years, with a quarter of their albums released in the 2020s—a striking feat for a band that first formed in 1985. This makes sense, given the band’s […]

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 […]

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 […]

Skunk Anansie announce 2025 UK headline tour

October 14, 2024

The Cure to live stream their only full live show of the year at Troxy in London for free

October 11, 2024

THE CURE will play their only full live show of the year at Troxy in London on 1st November, the night the band releases their long-awaited new album, ‘SONGS OF A LOST WORLD’. The show […]

The Waterboys announce three special shows for Summer 2025 in Belfast, Dublin & Cork

October 10, 2024

THE WATERBOYS have announced three special shows for Summer 2025, when they will play 3Arena Dublin (7th June), Live at Botanic Gardens Belfast (8th June) and Live at the Marquee Cork (10th July). The Waterboys […]

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 […]

Countdown on for 7th OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL Bangor

July 30, 2019 XS Noize

The seaside town of Bangor Co. Down is getting ready for the hottest month on its calendar when the seventh annual Open House Festival begins on Thursday 1st August. Throughout the 31 days of August, […]

Skunk Anansie announce 2025 UK headline tour

The Cure to live stream their only full live show of the year at Troxy in London for free

Simple Minds announce 40th anniversary special edition of classic album ‘Sparkle In The Rain’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Permafrost – The Light Coming Through

ALBUM REVIEW: The Smile – Cutouts

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: Crowded House at O2 Arena, London

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

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

Skunk Anansie announce 2025 UK headline tour

The Cure to live stream their only full live show of the year at Troxy in London for free

The Waterboys announce three special shows for Summer 2025 in Belfast, Dublin & Cork

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’

Tourism NI

Countdown on for 7th OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL Bangor