Ex-THE GATHERING Singer Releases FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD Cover

Former THE GATHERING and current AGUA DE ANNIQUE singer Anneke van Giersbergen has issued the following update:

"December 27 I will be playing a solo gig in Zuidwolde. I thought it would be nice to play a sort of a Xmas-song. I've always loved 'The Power of Love' [originally written and recorded by FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD], so I learned to play it and fell even more in love with it. At that time, my new record 'Pure Air' was already in the process of being mixed, but I just knew it had to be on it and subsequently drove everybody mad as we were very, very close to the deadline. Next morning I recorded it in my clothing closet (you can actually hear a plane flying over at the end of the song) and it made the record! Since it's almost Xmas, I thought it would be nice to put it online already, so please find it [at this location]."

Anneke van Giersbergen and her new band AGUA DE ANNIQUE will stage two unique shows in February 2009 — at the Melkweg in Amsterdam, Holland (Feb. 12) and at the Oosterpoort in Groningen (Feb. 13). At these intimate performances, Anneke will shed some light on her compositions through personal stories. Anneke will also be joined on stage by Sharon den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION),Niels Geusebroek (SILKSTONE) and singer-songwriter Marike Jager. These artists will also perform on Anneke's new acoustic album.

To see Anneke van Giersbergen sharing the stage with Sharon den Adel is a rare occasion. Earlier this year, Anneke appeared as a special guest on WITHIN TEMPTATION's live DVD. Now Sharon and Anneke will join forces on stage again to perform that same song, "Somewhere". This song, in a new acoustic version, will also appear on Anneke's forthcoming album.

Last year 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 upcoming album will contain some great collaborations. Besides Sharon den Adel, Niels Geusebroek and Marike Jager, Anneke will be joined by Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA),John Wetton (KING CRIMSON, ASIA) and Arjen Lucassen (AYREON). The album will be presented during these special shows. Anneke states: "Over the last years, I have done many guest appearances for a wide range of artists. This time I wanted to be the one to invite an outstanding lineup of musicians to contribute to my album."

For more information, visit www.aguadeannique.com.