Accessibility links
Bell X1 Bell X1 artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Bell X1

Bell X1's Paul Noonan Takes 'World Cafe' On A Tour Of Dublin

Bell X1's Paul Noonan and World Cafe host Talia Schlanger stand outside of Pablo Picante's where The Dublin Arts Club once stood. Kimberly Junod/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption
Kimberly Junod/WXPN

World Cafe

Bell X1's Paul Noonan Takes 'World Cafe' On A Tour Of Dublin

XPN

There's something extra special about going to visit an artist in the place where it all began.

Paul Noonan On World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/704437401/704452228" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Irish Music Week On Mountain Stage: Part 1

Bell X1 performs at West Virginia University in 2011. Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage hide caption

toggle caption
Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Irish Music Week On Mountain Stage: Part 1

Aside from U2, Bell X1 is the Irish band with the most airplay in their native country. The group has a hybrid sound informed by several styles of rock and pop, but they retain a certain "Irishness."

Irish Music Week On Mountain Stage: Part 1

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/289776769/289832379" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Bell X1 On World Cafe

Bell X1. Rich Gilligan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Rich Gilligan/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Bell X1 On World Cafe

XPN

The Dublin band formed out of another group led by Damien Rice, but when Rice went solo, Paul Noonan took over songwriting duties and Bell X1 was born — named after the first airplane, Bell X-1, to break the sound barrier. Hear a full live set from the band on World Cafe.

Bell X1 On World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/268960507/268970478" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Bell X1 On Mountain Stage

Bell X1. Brian Blauser/West Virginia Public Broadcasting hide caption

toggle caption
Brian Blauser/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Mountain Stage

Bell X1 On Mountain Stage

These sophisticated Irish rockers make their second appearance on the program with songs from their latest album, Bloodless Coup.

Bell X1 On Mountain Stage

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/137320649/137298209" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Bell X1 On World Cafe

Bell X1. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Bell X1 On World Cafe

XPN

Bell X1 is one of the biggest bands in Ireland. Hear and watch a live performance from the band at the Guiness Storehouse in Dublin during World Cafe's recent trip across the Atlantic.

Listen Now

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/136818570/137761149" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Bell X1, Mary Black and Fionn Regan On Mountain Stage

Fionn Regan performed on Mountain Stage. Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage hide caption

toggle caption
Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Bell X1, Mary Black and Fionn Regan On Mountain Stage

Rock group Bell X1, vocalist Mary Black and singer-songwriter Fionn Regan exhibit the range of contemporary Irish music on West Virginia's most famous stage.

Listen Now: Bell X1, Mary Black and Fionn Regan In Concert

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134358887/134263433" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Concerts

Bell X1, Recorded Live In Concert

XPN

The Irish pop-rock band Bell X1 has brought its catchy riffs and smart lyrics to America in recent years, long after the group had already become a reliable hitmaker in its homeland. Hear Bell X1 perform live in concert from WXPN and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

Bell X1, Recorded Live In Concert

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/101681755/101879431" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music Interviews

Bell X1: Rock Dressed In Electro Beats

Frontman Paul Noonan and guitarist Dave Geraghty have an organic approach to starting a new record, hoping to take the image they've created for themselves and challenge it. On Blue Lights on the Runway, Bell X1 explores the electronic side of their music, departing from the more radio-friendly pop songs of Flock.

Bell X1: Rock Dressed In Electro Beats

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/101501411/101580572" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World Cafe

Bell X1: The Lillywhite Session

XPN

The Irish rock band Bell X-1 has just returned with a new album of catchy pop and electronica, Blue Lights on the Runway. It's also back on World Cafe for a special session with legendary producer Steve Lillywhite.

Bell X1: The Lillywhite Session

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/100816691/100807676" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Concerts

Bell X1, Recorded Live In Concert

XPN

The Irish pop-rock band Bell X1 has taken a circuitous path to worldwide success: After years of fame in Ireland, the band finally has a U.S. label deal and a growing following here. Hear the group perform live in concert from WXPN and World Café Live in Philadelphia.

Bell X1, Recorded Live In Concert

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94728374/94818392" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Mountain Stage

Bell X1 On Mountain Stage

Famous in its native Ireland, the pop-rock band saw its U.S. fan base multiply when its music was used on The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy. Bell X1 recently crossed the Atlantic for a tour stop at West Virginia's Mountain Stage.

Listen Now: Bell X1 On Mountain Stage

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92779081/92771734" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

World Cafe

Bell X1 Takes Its 'Flock' to the States

XPN

Calling to mind early Radiohead, the Irish band Bell X1 crafts melodic, radio-friendly pop. Flock topped the Irish album charts in 2005, but it's only just been reissued in the U.S., with an ambitious tour to follow. Hear an interview and performance.

Bell X1 Takes Its 'Flock' to the States

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/21308288/19357103" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org