Latitude Festival

Growing up listening to the likes of Elton John, David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley, Odell developed a strong passion for music, a passion he followed after abandoning plans to study at the University of York, instead choosing to take a place at the prestigious Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM). During his studies, he formed the band, Tom and the Tides, yet after finishing his studies at BIMM, he decided to pursue a solo career.

Attracting the attention of pop star Lily Allen, she signed Odell to In the Name Of, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. Odell soon got to work on his first recordings, releasing the EP, "Songs From Another Love" in October 2012. He made his television debut on the popular show, "Later… with Jools Holland," through which he impressed viewers and music critics alike.

His debut album, "Long Way Down," arrived in June 2013, capitalizing on media hype and achieving a number one record in the UK. The album was widely successful throughout Europe, breaking into the Top 40 in several countries.

Following the success of his debut, Odell embarked upon a national tour in the UK, helping to support his album. In 2014, Odell covered The Beatles' track, "Real Love," for John Lewis' annual Christmas advert, gaining further publicity for the artist. Upon its release as a single, the track debuted at 21 in the UK Singles Chart before rising to number seven.

Rumour has it the band started when founder and guitarist Wayne Coyne stole a cache of musical instruments from a church hall and invited his vocalist brother Mark Coyne and Michael Ivins, the bassist, to start a band. Following a succession of drummers, Richard English was chosen as the band’s percussionist and who joined the band to record their self-titled album, released in 1985 on their very own label Lovely Sorts of Death.

Rarely has there been a band of such eclectic and esoteric appeal, a band’s whose proclivity for the surreal formed a sporadic pop career. The Flaming lips is often associated with psychedelic culture and many of the themes in the Flaming Lips’ earlier releases share this fascination for science fiction, space opera and the metaphysical world. A string of recordings on independent labels saw the band expand on their sound introducing tape loops and guitar and vocal effects. The band signed to Warner Bros. in 1990 after a representative of the label saw The Flaming Lips almost burn down a venue in Oklahoma, U.S. using pyrotechnics.

The album “Transmission from the Satellite Heart” released in 1993 was the first in which producer Dave Fridmann had not been involved. The album and in particular the song “She Don’t Use Jelly” saw the band have a more mainstream appeal and feature on a number of TV shows including Beverly Hills and Beavis and Butt-head, as well as long stints of touring, opening for the likes of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

There biggest breakthrough however, came following the release of 1999’s “The Soft Bulletin”, which drew similarities between it and The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” due to its orchestral sounds and traditional catchy melodies.

By 2007 after releasing two more full-length albums the band had won three Grammy Awards, one for Best Engineered Album in 2007 for “A War With Mystics” and two for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia) and “The Wizard Turns On…”. Since then the band has released a whopping 16 albums and have used their critical acclaim to collaborate with an impressive group of past and current musicians from Neon Indian, to Nick Cave and Erykah Badu. The Flaming Lips can seemingly do no wrong.

David Gray attended the Carmarthenshire College of Art and the Liverpool School of Art.

David Gray's music career started in 1993, releasing debut album, "A Century Ends", he quickly went on the release second studio album, "Flesh", which led the singer songwriter to be recognised by popular folk and indie labels. David continued to record and work hard, released a third album in 1996, named, "Sell, sell, sell". Although he changed his style slightly, using his now trademark style of folk, alternative rock and electronics, the album was still unsuccessful.

Finally, the release of his fourth album, "White Ladder" in 2000 bought him success. The breakthrough was thanks to his best-known songs: "This Year's Love" and "Babylon". "Babylon" was number 1 in the charts for six weeks and sold over 100,000 copies alone in Ireland.

David's hard work and persistence paid off and the album was number 1 in the UK Albums Chart for two and a half years.

He has been nominated for four Brit Awards – twice for Best British Male. David Gray has toured since his music career began in 1993 and has since performed with acts, Kirsty MacColl, Dave Matthews Band and Radiohead.

Carlton’s passion for music stemmed from the age of two when she visited Disneyland Park and returned wanting to play “It’s a Small World” on piano. During her childhood Carlton received piano lessons and from her mother, however by the age of nine her focus had turned to ballet and later enrolled at the School of American Ballet. Eventually the formality and discipline of ballet began to take its toll and Carlton subsequently looked towards music, especially of the alt-pop genre, to utilise her extensive talents. Following a period at Columbia University and waiting tables in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, the singer began playing open-mic events and feeling more comfortable performing in front of others.

In 2001 Carlton signed with A&M Records whose president Ron Fair was personally interested in the singer’s output. Vanessa Carlton released her debut hit single “A Thousand Miles” in 2002 earning three Grammy nominations, a host of pop and college radio play, and charting at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The corresponding album “Be Not Nobody” arrived shortly afterwards spawning the subsequent singles “Ordinary Day” and “Pretty Baby”. Carlton supported the record with a national tour in support of Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind, before headlining her own tour towards the tail-end of 2002.

Following a series of contributions to the music of Counting Crows, Kimya Dawson, and Zucchero, Carlton issued her sophomore full-length “Harmonium” in November 2004. The album, produced by Stephan Jenkins of Third Blind Eye, proved to be more the result of Carlton's creative vision than her debut, however failed the match the commercial success. Debuting at No. 33 on the Billboard 200, “Harmonium” spawned the single “White Houses” and was toured alongside the Cary Brothers and Ari Hest. The full-length “Heroes & Thieves” arrived in October 2007 led by the singles “Nolita Fairytale” and “Hands on Me”. With production from Irv Gotti and Linda Perry, the record performed poorly in the charts, however earned positive reviews from the critical press. Carlton’s fourth full-length “Rabbits on the Run” was issued by Razor & Tie in July 2011, followed by the Christmas EP “Hear the Bells” in November that year.

In 1971, Ocean released the singles ‘Nashville Rain’ and ‘Sun in the Morning’ on Spark Records, under the name of Les Charles. He also fronted the band Scorched Earth for two years, and released ‘On The Run’ along with ‘Let’s Put Our Emotions in Motion’ in 1974. The Trinidadian and Tobagonian British recording artist took his stage name ‘Billy Ocean’ from the Ocean Estate, Stepney in London’s East End, where he was situated at the time.

Ocean recorded his debut album ‘Billy Ocean’ in 1976 and released the single ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’ which charted at number two in the Official UK Singles Chart whilst also achieving a number 22 spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. He began to see huge success during the 1980s; in 1985, the single ‘Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)’, on the album ‘Suddenly’, won Ocean the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Another single ‘Loverboy’ from the same album also featured in the opening scene of the UK BBC One TV series ‘Casualty in 1986, and achieved a number two position in the USA.

In 1986, Ocean released the album ‘Love Zone’ which included the popular single ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going’. It topped the UK charts and achieved a number two position in the US, whilst the single ‘There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)’ listed at number one in the US. In 1988, Ocean followed up ‘Love Zone’ with another album ‘Tear Down These Walls’ which featured the number one single ‘Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car’; the album achieved platinum success. Ocean has gone on to release a number of albums, one of which was the ‘Greatest Hits’ collection in 1989, along with ‘Emotions In Motion’ in 2002 and ‘Here You Are’ in 2013.

Billy Ocean performed at prestigious settings such as Live Aid Philadelphia US and 80’s Rewind Festival, and can be compared to music artists such as James Ingram, La Toya Jackson and Gregory Abbott. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the MOBO Awards in 2010, and became a Companion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in 2011, whilst he featured in the British comedy movie Keith Lemon: The Film during 2012.

Early on Byrne developed a love for music developing an obsession with the family record player and at five this inquisitiveness grew as his flair for music took control as started learning to play the harmonica. With his family migrating to America at nine, Byrne spent the rest of his childhood raised in Baltimore, US where he picked up guitar, playing in a few local bands.

A brief stint at Rhode Island School of Design marked the beginning of his musical path and in 1975 created the band Talking Heads who would become a beacon for new wave American rock bands of the 80’s. Whilst having a majorly successful run in the band as principal songwriter and distinctive vocalist responsible for hits such as “Psycho Killer” and “Burning Down the House”, Byrne established a solo career which allowed his creativity to blossom outside of Talking Heads.

Striking a bond with musician and producer Brian Eno would push Byrne’s experimental tendencies starting with the incredible debut solo release “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts” in 1981 which critics praised as one of the best albums of the 80’s with its pioneering use of sampling and fusing electronic with world music. With iconic solo albums such as “Rei Momo” (1989), Feelings (1997) and “Look into the Eyeball” (2001) and the entire Talking Head discography, Byrne has influenced major contemporary acts such as: Radiohead, R.E.M. and Vampire Weekend.

Embracing all genres and styles of music, Byrne time after time strikes gold with his ability to adapt and inject his personal style into everything he touches, creating musical masterpieces which transcend time and genre while inspiring generations.

Formed of quavering singer Fearful Sharkey, guitarist brothers John and Damian O’Neil, and bassist Michael Bradley, The Undertones’ early inspiration came from the likes of the Beatles, Small Faces and Lindisfarne. That was until the advent of artists such as the Sex Pistols and the Buzzcocks and the band began playing their original three-chord pop punk material at local venues including The Casbah. With a lack of attention the Undertones were tempted to call it quits until Belfast record store owner Terry Hooley released the band’s debut EP “Teenage Kicks” on his Good Vibrations label in 1978.

The record caught the attention of esteemed radio DJ John Peele, which led the band to give up their day jobs and sign with Sire Records in 1978. A year later the label issued the Undertones’ self-titled debut album, which spawned the acclaimed singles “Jimmy Jimmy”, “Here Comes the Summer”, and “You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It?)". The band supported the album with a UK tour and as the opening act on the Clash’s American tour.

The Undertones’ sophomore album “Hypnotised” reached No. 6 in the UK Albums chart, led by the single “My Perfect Cousin”. The band subsequently headlined their own US tour, and played an impressive 25 UK gigs over a three month period, following the album release. Unhappy with Sire Records’ US promotion of their material, the band signed with EMI in 1981 and recorded 11 songs in three days to complete their third full-length album.

“Positive Touch” arrived later in 1981 and marked the band’s introduction into social commentary, with singles “Crisis of Mine”, “You’re Welcome” and “It’s Going To Happen” discussing the tumultuous troubles in Northern Ireland. Peaking at No. 17 in the UK charts, the band upped their touring schedule, playing a whopping 36 shows over a two month period.

In 1982 the Undertone’s took a break from the intensive touring to focus on writing and recording their fourth full-length “The Sin of Pride”. Released in 1983, with a new musical direction geared towards soul and Motown, the album again earned critical acclaim though failed to reach the commercial success of any of its predecessors. After the subsequent Sin of Pride tour, tensions were running high within the band and with additional pressure from EMI the band split up in 1983.

Following Sharkey’s solo career and the O’Neil brothers’ rock band That Petrol Emotion, the Undertones returned in 1999, however without the original lead singer Sharkey. With Paul McLoone filling the vocalist role, the band played a number of high-profile gigs including 2005’s Glastonbury Festival, providing the pre-match entertainment for a UEFA Champions League match in 2009, as well as shows in Europe, Japan and North America.

The Undertone’s have subsequently released the albums “Get What You Need” in 2003 and “Dig Yourself Deep” in 2007, and the double A-side single “Much Too Late / Another Girl” in 2013.