X-Factor Archives | XS Noize | Online Music Magazine

CIAN DUCROT shares new single ‘Part of Me’

March 31, 2023

Everything is falling into place for Cian Ducrot. The Irish singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist has seen his previous two singles – ‘I’ll Be Waiting’ and the Gold-certified ‘All For You’ – fly into the Top […]

CHARLES CAVE (White Lies) shares video for new track 'Easy Love'

March 31, 2023

Hot off the heels of the most successful year in White Lies’ career which saw the band sell nearly a quarter of a million tickets worldwide, Charles Cave, songwriter and bassist, has taken a natural […]

THE SHERLOCKS share new single ‘Don’t Let It Out’ from their upcoming album ‘People Like Me & You’

March 31, 2023

The Sherlocks’ recent single ‘Sirens’ delivered a big moment for the band, their fierce and uncompromising new sound rewarded with extensive Radio 1 airplay including Jordan & Vick’s Tune of the Week as well as […]

ALBUM REVIEW: City and Colour - The Love Still Held Me Near

March 30, 2023

There are a number of rock albums that chronicle the tragic loss of a friend or loved one. Hovering at the top of that list are offerings like Sufjan Steven’s Carrie and Lowell, Arcade Fire’s […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Alberta Cross - Sinking Ships

March 30, 2023

I first stumbled across Alberta Cross when they supported Oasis back in 2008. At the request of Noel Gallagher no less, the band attempted to woo those who were mad-for-it in the crowd. Performing songs […]

BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley - Music Is In Everything

January 16, 2023

Back in 2020, Ziggy Marley teamed up with Lisa Loeb to release a catchy and infectious song that will get people of all ages to sing along called “Music Is in everything”. This song which […]

BOOK REVIEW: Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin

December 15, 2022

Judging by the front cover, one might expect Pop Rock Icons to be festooned with infographics. It isn’t. Instead, it’s a collection of photographs depicting “London’s Swingin’ 60s & 70s”. Rather than homogenise and cluster […]

‘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: Kasabian at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

March 27, 2023

Underworld opened the first night of the 2023 series of live events in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, the second night of music came from Wet Leg, and on the penultimate night of this wonderful […]

IN FOCUS// Wet Leg at The Limelight, Belfast

LIVE REVIEW: Wet Leg at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

March 27, 2023

Following the sold-out first night of music by headliners Underworld in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, Wet Leg, with two support bands CMAT and Honeyglaze, graced the Royal Albert Hall with a second night of […]

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// The WAEVE at Lafayette, London

March 29, 2023

The WAEVE – Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall – embarked on a UK tour after the release of their eponymous debut album. The duo performed an intimate sold-out show in London at Lafayette on […]

IN FOCUS// The Answer at Limelight 2, Belfast

March 24, 2023

Irish rockers The Answer made a spectacular and long-awaited return to Limelight 2, Belfast last night in support of ‘Sundowners’ – their first studio album in almost seven years. Bernie McAllister was there to take […]

Björk releases a new video for her track 'fossora'

March 30, 2023

Björk has shared a new video directed by herself, Viðar Logi, M/M (Paris) and FutureDeluxe for her track ‘fossora’. A word created by Björk and named after the feminine version of the Latin word for “digger”, […]

BRIX SMITH announces summer UK headline tour

March 30, 2023

On a high after receiving widespread acclaim for her recent debut solo album ‘Valley of the Dolls’, the post-punk icon Brix Smith can now reveal details of her summer touring plans in support of the […]

Will Butler + Sister Squares share new single 'Willows' & announce autumn UK/EU tour dates

March 29, 2023

‘Willows’ is the first new material from Butler since May 2022, and the debut release from Will Butler + Sister Squares. A New York–based band rooted in dance and theatre, Sister Squares is Sara Dobbs, […]

INTERVIEW: Natalia Damini & Tito Jackson Talk 'Attitude'

March 22, 2023

“I think she is a very gifted performer.” While any female artist would love to hear or read, and perhaps has heard or read, such a statement from others over the course of their career, […]

INTERVIEW: Indie pop-funk outfit Thumpasaurus on new single 'Lipstick Makeup'

March 20, 2023

Los Angeles-based indie pop-funk outfit Thumpasaurus recently released their latest single/music video, “Lipstick Makeup.” According to Thumpasaurus, “‘Lipstick Makeup’ is about saying f*ck it. I’m letting my freak out tonight and getting real nice with […]

CIAN DUCROT shares new single ‘Part of Me’

CHARLES CAVE (White Lies) shares video for new track 'Easy Love'

THE SHERLOCKS share new single ‘Don’t Let It Out’ from their upcoming album ‘People Like Me & You’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: City and Colour - The Love Still Held Me Near

ALBUM REVIEW: Alberta Cross - Sinking Ships

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley - Music Is In Everything

BOOK REVIEW: Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin

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: Kasabian at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

LIVE REVIEW: Wet Leg at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

IN FOCUS// The WAEVE at Lafayette, London

IN FOCUS// The Answer at Limelight 2, Belfast

Björk releases a new video for her track 'fossora'

BRIX SMITH announces summer UK headline tour

Will Butler + Sister Squares share new single 'Willows' & announce autumn UK/EU tour dates

INTERVIEW: Natalia Damini & Tito Jackson Talk 'Attitude'

INTERVIEW: Indie pop-funk outfit Thumpasaurus on new single 'Lipstick Makeup'

INTERVIEW: Billy Lockett talks ‘Abington Grove’, mental health & the future

INTERVIEW: Graham Lambert on Inspiral Carpets - The Complete Singles

INTERVIEW: The Answer's Cormac Neeson on new album 'Sundowners'

INTERVIEW: Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson on new album UK GRIM

X-Factor

JAMES ARTHUR returns to Belfast with a headline show at Custom House Square on Tuesday 11th August 2020