ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN Performs With WITHIN TEMPTATION Singer In Holland; Video Available

Former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen and her new band AGUA DE ANNIQUE staged two unique shows last week — at the Melkweg in Amsterdam, Holland (Feb. 12) and at the Oosterpoort in Groningen (Feb. 13). At these intimate performances, Anneke shed some light on her compositions through personal stories. Anneke was also joined on stage by Sharon den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION),Niels Geusebroek (SILKSTONE) and singer-songwriter Marike Jager. These artists also perform on Anneke's new acoustic album, "Pure Air".

To see Anneke van Giersbergen sharing the stage with Sharon den Adel is a rare occasion. Last year, Anneke appeared as a special guest on WITHIN TEMPTATION's live DVD. This time Sharon and Anneke joined forces on stage again to perform that same song, "Somewhere". This track, in a new acoustic version, also appears on "Pure Air".

Commented Anneke: "We had been preparing these gigs for weeks and it felt like a grand opening with me being nervous and very excited all at the same time.

"Everybody seemed really excited to be a part of this production, which made me feel proud already. We all had to share one big dressing room which was quickly filled with chatter and laughter and us girls (Marike, Sharon and me) were doing our make-up-thingie together, which always makes me a happy lady, since I am mostly surrounded by men in this business. We should form a 'girl band' for the make-up fun only! :-) I never met Colin (Kyteman) before, but he turned out to be a real sweetheart. A slim, shyish 21-year-old blessed with talent only gods bestow.

"The [Amsterdam] show went really well. I was able to remain very focused the whole time. The difficult thing about an acoustic performance is that there's no 'wall of sound' to conceal little errors, but to my relief, there were very few mishaps. Niels, Marike, Sharon and Kyteman were absolutely wonderful and well-loved by our audience.

"The Groningen show, the next day, was equally good. After two days, it already kinda felt like we've been on the road for weeks together. I really enjoyed the way we all connected to one another so quickly. I can't wait to see all of them again."

Watch video footage of the Amsterdam and Groningen performances below.

2007 was a tumultuous, but successful year for Van Giersbergen. After 13 years, she left THE GATHERING. During her time with THE GATHERING she evened out the path for a whole new generation of female rock singers. Soon after her departure she grounded her own band AGUA DE ANNIQUE. 2008 was also the year that Anneke, for the first time, was strongly present in the Dutch music scene. Her duet, "Als je ooit nog eens terug kan", with RACOON singer Bart van der Weide and Artists for Tibet, made it to No. 1 in the Dutch chart. Together with C-MON AND KYPSKI she made a vibrant television appearance during the "Fifty Years of Dutch Pop Music Quiz". Anneke also did an overwhelming version of ALANIS MORISSETTE's "Ironic" during the '90's Request Week on Giel Beelen's morning show on national radio.

As well as acoustic versions of songs from her solo debut, "Air", Anneke's "Pure Air" album contains some great collaborations. Besides Sharon den Adel, Niels Geusebroek and Marike Jager, Anneke is joined by Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA),John Wetton (KING CRIMSON, ASIA) and Arjen Lucassen (AYREON).

For more information, visit www.aguadeannique.com.

"Somewhere" (Anneke van Gierbergen and Sharon den Adel) in Amsterdam (camera angle #1):

"Somewhere" (Anneke van Gierbergen and Sharon den Adel) in Amsterdam (camera angle #2):

"Beautiful One" (Anneke van Giersbergen and Niels Geusebroek) in Groningen:

"What's the Reason?" (Anneke van Giersbergen and Niels Geusebroek) in Groningen:

"Wild Flowers" in Groningen:

"Day After Yesterday" (Anneke van Giersbergen and Marike Jager) in Groningen:

"Come Wander With Me" (Anneke van Giersbergen and Kyteman) in Groningen: