A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise, also known as simply Lowlands, is a music festival, held annually in the Netherlands in August. Lowlands has about 55,000 visitors, over 200 acts and more than ten stages every year which are named according to the NATO phonetic alphabet apart from the Grolsch stage (named after the beer brewer Grolsch who has been the main sponsor of the festival for the last few years). The majority of stages are inside huge tents - insurance against the Dutch climate - with the main stage's tent, Alpha, being approximately the size of a premiership football team's pitch.

The festival is held in Biddinghuizen, at Spijk en Bremerberg, adjacent to the Walibi Holland amusement park.

Besides music (alternative music, pop, rock, dance, hip hop), there also are an indoor and an outdoor cinema, stand-up comedy, street theatre and theatre.

Origins[link]

Lowlands began as one of the very first Dutch pop festivals - A Flight to Lowlands Paradise that was organised in November 1967 by the Utrecht based artist and painter Bunk Bessel. This festival took place in the Margriethal of Jaarbeurs Utrecht. The entry fee was 10 guilders (approximately 4.50 euros), including breakfast. This 18-hour-long event had no top-acts but included experimental theatre, dancing, poetry, films, body painting and massage. The Utrecht municipality did not pay up the promised subsidy of 8,000 guilders after the event.

On 28 December 1968, the festival was held a second time, postponed by a month from its original date of 23 November to try to get Jimi Hendrix to attend the event. This could not be arranged, and other large acts such as Jeff Beck and Jethro Tull were cancelled. However, Pink Floyd remained on the bill. In the end, the show was sold out to its capacity of 18,000 visitors, and for many people it was a cold and disappointing experience as they were unable to get inside. Inevitably, there was unrest and the police had to be involved.

In 1993, organizer Willem Venema began another festival under the name A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise.

Life of Agony released a CD of their unplugged set from the Lowlands Festival in 1997, entitled Unplugged at the Lowlands Festival '97.

Performances[link]

1993[link]

2000[link]

[edit] 2009 ^[2]

2010[link]

2011[link]

2012[link]

Notes[link]

1. ^ http://www.lowlands.nl/programme.php
2. ^ http://www.lowlands.nl/english.php

External links[link]

• The official festival site
• Officially confirmed bands

Coordinates: 52°25′58″N 5°45′55″E / 52.43278°N 5.76528°E / 52.43278; 5.76528

Miles Kane
Kane perfoming at the Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Miles Kane
Born	(1986-03-17) 17 March 1986 (age 26) The Wirral, Merseyside, England
Genres	Indie rock, garage rock, Britpop, psychedelic rock, baroque pop, post-punk revival
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	2004–Present
Labels	Columbia Records UK (Solo Career) Domino (Last Shadow Puppets)
Associated acts	The Little Flames, The Rascals, The Last Shadow Puppets, Arctic Monkeys, Alex Turner, Eugene McGuinness
Website	mileskane.com
Notable instruments
Gibson ES Fender Jaguar Fender Telecaster Gibson J-45

Miles Kane (born 17 March 1986) is an English musician originally from Meols on the Wirral, best known as the co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets and former frontman of The Rascals. He was formerly the vocalist and lead guitarist for The Rascals, but announced the band's break-up in August 2009. ^[1]

He is currently pursuing a solo career, and continues to be a part of his side-project The Last Shadow Puppets. His debut solo album, Colour of the Trap, was released on 9 May 2011.

The Little Flames[link]

Aged 18, Kane joined The Little Flames later in 2008 as guitarist alongside Eva Petersen (Vocals), Greg Mighall (Drums), Joe Edwards (Bass) and Matt Gregory (Guitar) in December 2004. The band went on to be vaguely successful, achieving comparisons to The Coral and high profile fans such as the Arctic Monkeys. They also went on to tour with bands like The Coral, The Zutons, The Dead 60s and Arctic Monkeys. However, the band decided to go their separate ways.

The Rascals[link]

Kane, on vocals and lead guitar, was joined by Greg Mighall on drums and Joe Edwards on bass guitar and occasional backing vocals. Kane took on the main songwriting duties for the band. The band, who have known each other from childhood, continued where The Little Flames left off; they signed with Deltasonic Records again, only with fewer members this time. They were adamant to keep their own distinct sound of 'awesome rockin beats' with a 'psychedelic quirk' and a 'compelling and unique dark underlying spirit'¹. They released their debut EP in December 2007, just 7 months after they got together. Entitled Out of Dreams it featured 4 tracks, but did not achieve chart success. Yet they soon became tipped to be one of the bands of 2008, championed in particular by NME, following a well received support slot on Arctic Monkeys' 2007 tour. Their first album 'Rascalize' was released on 23 June 2008. The Rascals have a small role in the film Awaydays playing an Echo & the Bunnymen cover. Miles also has several lines such as "Sorry, I have to help the guys with the gear."

The Last Shadow Puppets[link]

Whilst touring with the Arctic Monkeys, Kane developed a strong friendship with front man Alex Turner. They shared a love of the same musical influences, such as Nick Cave. The pair began to play together backstage, and soon began writing new tracks. They realized that there was a future in their songwriting partnership, and the Last Shadow Puppets were born.

The duo decided to travel to the West Coast of France with producer James Ford where they recorded their debut album The Age of the Understatement in just two weeks. Their album went straight to number 1 in the UK Album Charts with the single of the same name reaching number 1 in the Indie Single Charts, and subsequent singles also reaching high spots. They first played together live in the UK, doing a secret set at Glastonbury with a special guest appearance from Jack White, whom Kane lent his iPod to so White could learn the solo. The band's album narrowly missed out on the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize, but thus far they have won the Mojo Breakthrough Award, and have also been nominated for various other accolades.

Solo career[link]

In early 2009, after his last tour with The Rascals, Kane left the band to focus on a solo career. Inspired by a classic, smart 60s Mod theme he signed with Columbia Records^[2] and began recording his solo album with Dan Carey and Dan the Automator, who had previously worked with Gorillaz and Kasabian.^[3]

Kane's debut single, "Inhaler" was released on 22 November 2010, and he did a series of solo shows throughout November, as well as supporting The Courteeners at several shows in December. He then continued solo performances in January and February, before supporting Beady Eye at eight shows in March.^[4] Kane released another single, "Come Closer" on 20 February 2011, reaching #85 on the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

"Rearrange", the lead single for his debut album, was released on 27 March 2011 and reached #149 on the UK Singles Chart.^[6] The album, titled Colour of the Trap, was released on 9 May 2011.^[7][8] One track, "My Fantasy" features backing vocals from Noel Gallagher,^[9] while another, "Happenstance" is a duet between Kane and French actress Clémence Poésy.^[10] Half of the tracks on the album were co-written by Alex Turner, Kane's partner in The Last Shadow Puppets.

Kane supported Arctic Monkeys for two shows in Sheffield in June 2011. As well as being their support act on their Australian tour of January 2012. ^[11]

It was also announced on the 19th of October 2011 that Kane is to support Kasabian on their UK tour in December 2011.

Band members[link]

The live band include Ben Parsons, Phil Anderson, Jay Sharrock (whose father is Chris Sharrock, former The Icicle Works, The La's, Robbie Williams and Oasis (2008–2009) drummer and the current drummer in Beady Eye) and George Moran. Singer-songwriter, Eugene McGuinness was formerly a member. He left the band to continue with his own career.

• Jay Sharrock – drums
• Ben Parsons – keyboards
• Phill Anderson – bass guitar
• George Moran – rhythm guitar/vocals

Former Members

• Eugene McGuinness – vocals/rhythm guitar^[12]

Discography[link]

Note: This only includes artist's solo career, not other projects such as The Last Shadow Puppets or The Rascals.

Studio Albums[link]

EPs[link]

Singles[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Miles Kane

• Official website
• Miles Kane on Twitter
• Miles Kane on Facebook
• Miles Kane.org Fansite
• Miles Kane Forum

This article is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Please see the talk page for more information. (March 2012)

James McCartney
Background information
Birth name	James Louis McCartney
Born	(1977-09-12) 12 September 1977 (age 34)[1] London, England
Genres	Rock
Occupations	Musician, Writer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass, piano, mandolin, drums
Years active	1997–present
Website	Official website

James Louis McCartney (born 12 September 1977) is a British musician and songwriter living in London. He is the only son of songwriter and former Beatle Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney. He has contributed to a number of solo albums by his parents, including Flaming Pie (1997) and Driving Rain (2001) by Paul McCartney and Wide Prairie (1998) by Linda McCartney.

His first solo EP, Available Light, was released in September 2010^[1] to positive reviews.^[2][3][4] A second EP, Close At Hand, was released shortly after. The solo album The Complete EP Collection is slated for release November 2011.^[5]

Early life[link]

James Louis McCartney was born in London on 12 September 1977. He is the only son of songwriter and former Beatle Paul McCartney and Paul's first wife, Linda McCartney. He was named after both his paternal grandfather Jim McCartney and his father, whose full name is James Paul McCartney, as well as Linda's late mother, heiress Louise Linder Eastman.

He spent the first two and a half years of his life on the road while his parents toured with their band Wings. After the band broke up in 1980, the McCartney family settled in Rye, East Sussex. He attended the local state secondary school, the Thomas Peacocke Community College.^[6] He has stated his earliest inspiration to learn guitar was Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future.^[7] He began playing music when his father gave him a Fender Stratocaster at age nine. The guitar had previously been owned by Carl Perkins.^[8]

In 1989, McCartney, with his older sisters Mary McCartney and Stella McCartney, again joined Paul and Linda on a world tour. He continued his education with a tutor while on the road. In 1993, at age 16, while surfing with friends, he was swept out to sea. Coast-guard was called and his family rushed to the site, but he emerged safe on his own forty minutes later.^[6] In 1995, James introduced his sister Mary to television producer Alistair Donald, whom she would later marry.

On 17 April 1998, in Tucson, Arizona, James, along with his father and sisters, was at his mother's side when she died from breast cancer, which had been diagnosed in 1995. Later that year, McCartney graduated from Bexhill College, near his home in East Sussex, where he pursued studies in A Level Art and sculpture.^[6]

Music career[link]

McCartney's 2009 U.S. debut at the David Lynch Weekend for World Peace and Meditation.

James has played guitar and drums on some of his father's solo albums, including Flaming Pie (1997) and Driving Rain (2001), as well as co-writing a few songs.^[1] On Flaming Pie he has an electric guitar solo on the track "Heaven on a Sunday." On Driving Rain, he co-wrote the songs "Spinning On An Axis" and "Back In The Sunshine Again" with his father, and played percussion on the former track and guitar on the latter.

He also plays lead guitar on his mother's posthumously released solo album, Wide Prairie (1998), which included tracks recorded privately over the previous twenty years.^[9]

In 2004 he again left the McCartney family home and began living in a flat in Brighton,^[7] where he waited tables while he attended college and worked on his music.^[10] In 2005, he accompanied Paul during his 'US' Tour.

Around 2008, he began working with David Kahne, his father, and a number of other musicians on recording his own music.^[8] He made his US performing debut with his own original solo material on 14 November 2009 at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, during the Fourth Annual David Lynch Weekend for World Peace and Meditation in Fairfield, Iowa.^[8] He performed under the pseudonym Light.^[11]

Solo EPs[link]

Available Light was McCartney's first official release as both a performer and songwriter. The EP included four original songs composed by James as well as a cover of Neil Young’s classic "Old Man".^[12] In addition to composing the songs and singing, he plays electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, piano and bass on the recordings. Produced by David Kahne and Paul McCartney, the EP was recorded between Sussex, London and New York over the previous year,^[2] including Abbey Road Studios.^[3]

He stated "The music was inspired by The Beatles, Nirvana, The Cure, PJ Harvey, Radiohead — and all good music. It is basically rock n' roll, clean sounding and vocal. The words on the album refer to spirituality, love, family, trying to sort out one's life, and many other things."^[11]

He previewed tracks from Available Light when he toured the UK for the first time in February and March 2010,^[11][13] though he at first performed under a pseudonym.^[1] The album was released electronically September 2010 on Blake Morgan's Engine Company Records,^[1][4] to positive reviews.^[3]

Close At Hand, his second EP, was released in 2011.^[14]

[edit] The Complete EP Collection

McCartney's The Complete EP Collection was released on 22 November 2011. The album combines the previous two EPs along with five new original tracks and two newcovers.^[5] It is his first physical release, the two individual EPs being digital only.^[5] Like the EPs, it was produced by Paul McCartney and David Kahne, and is being released by Engine Company Records.^[14] Rolling Stone called the opening track, "Angel," a "light and cheerful pop track."^[5]

AntiMusic dubbed the release "whimsical and reflective, sharp-witted and affectionate. Full of smart, engaging pop songwriting."^[15]

In a Rolling Stone song exclusive about the track New York Times, James notes he composed the main riff on a family trip when his father "...was just inches away from me."^[16]

Personal life[link]

Like his older half-sister Heather McCartney, James lives a relatively private life,^[6][7] unlike his sisters Stella, a fashion designer, and Mary, a photographer.^[11] James has a much younger half-sister, Beatrice Milly McCartney, born in 2003 to Paul and his second wife Heather Mills.^[6] James has six nephews and two nieces.

He is a vegan in honour of his mother, an animal rights activist.^[7]

Discography[link]

Collaborations[link]

• 1997: Flaming Pie by Paul McCartney
• 1998: Wide Prairie by Linda McCartney - lead guitar
• 2001: Driving Rain by Paul McCartney

Solo albums[link]

• 2010: Available Light EP
• 2011: Close At Hand EP
• 2011: The Complete EP Collection

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• James McCartney at Engine Company Records
• Photographs of James McCartney
• Available Light Video Trailer

Ane Brun
Background information
Birth name	Ane Brunvoll
Born	(1976-03-10) 10 March 1976 (age 36)
Origin	Molde, Norway
Genres	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1998–present
Labels	DetErMine, Balloon Ranger Recordings
Website	www.anebrun.com

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2012)

Ane Brun (Norwegian pronunciation: [ɑnə brʉn]) (born Ane Brunvoll on 10 March 1976 in Molde, Norway) is a songwriter, guitarist and vocalist.^[1] Since 2003 she has recorded eight albums, four of which are studio albums, a live DVD and a collection of duets. She has lived in Stockholm, Sweden since 2001, where she writes, records and runs her own label (Balloon Ranger Recordings) when not on tour.

History[link]

After growing up in Molde, Norway she moved from her home town in 1995 and spent the next few years moving between Barcelona, Oslo and Bergen. In Bergen she began writing her own material while at university (jumping between courses in Spanish, law and music) as well as making a living working in record shops and bars.

After playing a few minor shows and recording her first demos in Bergen in 1999, she moved to Sweden, first to Uppsala and then to Stockholm in 2001, where she started to take her musical career seriously.

Ane recorded her debut album Spending Time with Morgan in 2002 in both Stockholm and back in Uppsala, with engineers and producers Katharina Nuttall, Cécile Grudet and Kim Nelson. It was released on the label, DetErMine, which she formed with Ellekari Larsson from Swedish band The Tiny. The debut album came out in 11 European countries in 2003 through a licence/distribution deal with V2 Music.

After releasing the first album Ane toured around Europe but soon took some time out. She had been working intensively for two years and felt somewhat burnt out and in need of a break. After a six month breather she started touring around Europe again and within the next year had her second album ready. A Temporary Dive was again produced by Katharina Nuttall and was released in 2005 throughout Europe, followed by the UK and the US in 2006, and in Japan in 2007. This album took the darker themes of Spending Time With Morgan further, through songs like "The Fight Song" and title track "A Temporary Dive", but there was also space for the lighter "Song No. 6", a duet with Ron Sexsmith.

A Temporary Dive was well received all over the world, picking up good reviews in magazines and newspapers from Time Magazine to The Independent. She received award nominations from all over Europe too, and that year took home the Spellemannpris, the equivalent of the Norwegian Grammies, for Best Female Artist.

After enjoying the collaboration on the previous few duets she had recorded, Ane was inspired to ask some artists whom she adored to sing with her on a full album called Duets. This album was released in November 2005 and besides another recording with Ron Sexsmith it also included songs with artists such as Syd Matters and Teitur. The collaboration with the band Madrugada on the single "Lift Me" gained her another Norwegian Grammy.

Ane spent much of the next couple of years touring the world in many different stage arrangements. She has played with a full band including string section, just herself and string section at times, sometimes just a cello, perhaps with one backing vocalist – or maybe three. Of course it all started with her and the acoustic guitar, so she often ends up coming back to these solo performances too. "There is something about the focus in playing by myself that fascinates me", she says. "There’s nothing to hide behind when I’m alone on stage and it becomes almost meditative for me when I play."

One of her tours was with a string quintet, and it was recorded and released as Live in Scandinavia (2007) and featured Nina Kinert and the guitarist Staffan Johansson. The album includes songs from Ane's first two albums with new string arrangements by Malene Bay-Foged.

In 2008 she released her third studio album, Changing of the Seasons, which was produced by Valgeir Sigurðsson (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Múm, Coco Rosie). It included string arrangements by American composer Nico Muhly (Antony and the Johnsons, Grizzly Bear, The Reader soundtrack). Later the same year came the album Sketches which included acoustic, demo versions of the songs on Changing of the Seasons. The Sketches tour featured a stripped down, sparse sound and now touring with musicians Rebekka Karijord, Jennie Abrahamson and Linnea Olsson, there were memorable gigs in places such as the Union Chapel in London.

Back on the road, a concert at the Stockholm Concert Hall was filmed and released as an album and live DVD in 2009. Late in 2009, Ane organised the No More Lullabies concert to bring attention to the issues of climate justice. She assembled 24 well-known Swedish artists such as Robyn, Loney, Dear, Titiyo and Benny Andersson of ABBA to take part in seven hours of live music and visuals to mark the International Day of Climate Action on October 24, 2009. They succeeded in drawing attention to the issue before the upcoming COP15 conference.

Ane featured as one of the guests on Peter Gabriel's 2011 studio album New Blood, singing on the re-recorded version of "Don't Give Up", recorded in 2010. She was subsequently invited to perform with him as support act and back-up singer on the New Blood tour throughout 2010.

In late 2011 Ane released her fourth studio album It All Starts with One, produced by Tobias Fröberg.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Spending Time with Morgan (2003) (#19 NO)
• A Temporary Dive (2005) (#1 NO) (#12 SWE) - Platinum
• Duets (2005) (#2 NO) - 2× Platinum
• Live in Scandinavia (2007) (#11 NO) (#12 SWE)
• Changing of the Seasons (2008) (#1 NO) (#2 SWE) - Gold
• Sketches (2008)
• Live at Stockholm Concert Hall (2009) (#2 NO DVD) (#7 SWE)
• It All Starts with One (2011) (#1 SWE #1 NO)

EPs[link]

• "My Lover Will Go" (2004)

Singles[link]

• "Are They Saying Goodbye" (2003)
• "Humming One of Your Songs" (2003)
• "I Shot My Heart" (2004)
• "Song No. 6" (2005)
• "Lift Me" - Madrugada feat. Ane Brun (2005) (#1 NO)
• "Rubber & Soul" feat. Teitur (2006)
• "Balloon Ranger" (2006)
• "Headphone Silence" (Henrik Schwarz/DF Remix) (2008)
• "Big in Japan" (2008) (#3 SWE)
• "True Colors" (2008) (#5 SWE)
• "To Let Myself Go" (Malkyl Remix) (2009)
• "Do You Remember" (2011)

Also appears on[link]

• "Beginner's Guide to Scandinavia" 3CD-album (Nascente, 2011)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ane Brun

• Official web site

Imelda May
May performing live in 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Imelda Mary Clabby
Born	(1974-07-10) 10 July 1974 (age 37) Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Rockabilly, blues, jazz
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, composer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bodhrán, tambourine
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Foot Tapping, Ambassador/Universal Ireland, Decca
Website	imeldamay.com

Imelda Mary Higham (born Imelda Mary Clabby on 10 July 1974), professionally known as Imelda May, is an Irish musician and singer-songwriter. Born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin, May began her career in music at age sixteen—performing with a number of local bands and musicians— before forming her own band in 2002. She released her debut studio album, No Turning Back, in 2003 and relocated to London, United Kingdom with husband and guitarist Darrel Higham after its release. Following an appearance on the BBC music programme Later... with Jools Holland in 2008, she released her second studio album, Love Tattoo (2009). May collaborated and toured with a number of artists following its release. Her similarly-received third studio album, Mayhem, was released in 2010 and earned her a nomination for the Choice Music Prize.^[1]

Although known primarily as a singer, May also plays the bodhrán, guitar and tambourine. Described as "a unique vocal talent," May is known for her musical style of rockabilly revival and has also been compared to female jazz musicians such as Billie Holiday.^[2] She won the Best Female Artist of the Year award at the 2009 Meteor Awards.^[3]

Early life and career[link]

May was born in Dublin on 10 July 1974 in the Liberties in the south inner city.^[4] She is the youngest of five siblings, with sisters Edel Foy and Maria O'Reilly, and brothers Brendan Clabby and Fintan Clabby. In 1991, She attended Senior College Ballyfermot, where she studied Art, Graphics and Printmaking. Her early musical influences were Folk and Rock & Roll, especially the music of Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. By the age of nine, she was a fan of Rockabilly and Blues, particularly Elmore James and Billie Holiday. At fourteen, she sang in an advertisement for Findus Fish Fingers. However, her career began at age 16 when she began touring the Dublin club circuit and she was occasionally barred from her own shows at Dublin's Bruxelles club for being underage. "I was getting tips from the best musicians in Dublin," May said. "One of them said, 'your voice is great, but it needs to roughen.'" It was around this time, when driving a tearful Imelda to a gig after a boyfriend break-up, that her father asked her, "Is your heart broken? Excellent. Now you can sing the blues."^[5] After moving to the UK in 1998, May began singing with Blue Harlem and Mike Sanchez.^[6]

Professional career[link]

May at the Azkena Rock Festival, Spain, 2010

May began her professional career in 2003, forming her band and releasing No Turning Back (Foot Tapping Records) under her maiden name, Imelda Clabby. Specializing in rockabilly music, the album was later re-recorded and re-issued by Foot Tapping Records under her married name in 2005.

In 2007, she joined a recording contract with Ambassador Records (a subsidiary of Foot Tapping Records), and recorded her second album. Love Tattoo reached No. 1 in Ireland and received wide critical acclaim. It caught the attention of Jools Holland,^[8] whom she later supported on tour, which led him to request that she appear on his well-known music show Later... with Jools Holland. She was well received in the United Kingdom, performing to an audience that included Jeff Beck, Elbow, and Roots Manuva. Her first two singles, "Johnny Got a Boom Boom" and "Big Bad Handsome Man", were released on 23 January 2009. She performed on Ireland's most popular television show, The Late Late Show. She won Female Artist of the Year at the 2009 Meteor Awards. May has also toured the United States including, most recently, a tour with Jamie Cullum. On 14 August 2009, she appeared on RTÉ's Other Voices singing "Johnny Got a Boom Boom" and an unplugged version of "Big Bad Handsome Man".

On 31 January 2010, she performed at the 52nd Grammy Awards with Jeff Beck in tribute to Les Paul.^[9] After some promotional performances at festivals, such as the Eurosonic Festival in Groningen, Netherlands,^[10] she released her third studio album, Mayhem, in Ireland on 3 September 2010 — again reaching No. 1 in the Irish Album Charts — and in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2010.^[11][12] On 18 July 2011, May made her network television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, performing "Mayhem," in promotion of the album's recent release in the U.S. and later appeared on Conan on 8 August.