
Belfast musician who shuns limelight hailed as one of world's greatest: ‘I'm no celeb – the only people who know me are guitar junkies'
New biography on Lisburn man Vivian Campbell who shuns limelight but makes a fortune in one of world's biggest bands
The first ever biography of Northern Irish rock musician Vivian Campbell has hailed him as one of the greatest guitarists in the world.
Even so, the Def Leppard star could probably still walk through the streets of Belfast unrecognised, the biographer writes.

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Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Sir Van Morrison reveals ‘negative feedback' was key inspiration behind latest album
Northern Irish musician Sir Van Morrison has revealed how 'negative feedback' was the main inspiration behind his latest album, as he touched on making a record that was 'fun' and how Belfast still inspires his latest songs.


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Countryfile star reveals UK's best hidden gems from stunning vineyards that beat France to the pretty secret beaches
He also reveals the best way to spot secret coves on the Antrim coastline BRITISH GEM Countryfile star reveals UK's best hidden gems from stunning vineyards that beat France to the pretty secret beaches Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MATT Baker has unearthed undiscovered gems on his journey around the British Isles. For his new TV series, Matt Baker's British Isles, the Countryfile star finds beautiful beaches on the Northern Irish coastline and reveals he's found tasty sparkling wine at a Champagne-worthy vineyard in Kent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Matt says he's found sparkling wine to rival French Champagne Credit: More4 6 The Domaine Evremond vineyard produces English wine Credit: More4 On his journey across the UK to see what makes the country tick, Matt heads to the Domaine Evremond vineyard. The Taittinger family, who own the vineyard, have teamed up with one of the world's most prestigious champagne houses to realise a dream of making the first true Anglo-French sparkling wine - and it worked. When Sun Travel asked Matt whether it tasted similar to Champagne he responded: "It's the same. The only reason you can't call it Champagne is because it's not grown in the Champagne region. "It's so good, I'd go as far as saying it was the most beautiful sparkling wine that I've ever tasted. "It has its roots, literally, in Britain, but it's got that taste that is so familiar with high-end sparkling wine, and it's grown right here in Kent." The reason Kent is renowned for its English vineyards is the climate and soil, which are well-suited for growing grapes that produce high-quality wine. Matt explained that Domaine Evremond has all the same qualities as vineyards in the Champagne region The vineyard produces a sparkling wine called Classic Cuvée, which is made in a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes. You can go to the vineyard yourself and book a tasting and follow in Matt's footsteps by taking a tour from just £25. During the four-episode series, Matt heads over to Wales, up to Scotland, but one of his most memorable stops was in Northern Ireland. Countryfile star bags brand new role worlds away from hit BBC farming series 6 The Antrim coastline is best viewed on horseback according to Matt Credit: More4 Matt goes up to Northern Ireland's most northerly tip to meet the McKinley family, where for generations, they've run Sheans Horse Farm. It's based in the hills of North Antrim which has incredible views across the coastline. Matt told us: "Oh my gosh, the Antrim coast is just breathtaking. "The landscape is used for Game of Thrones now, that's filmed over there because the landscape is so jaw-dropping. "We went horse riding across the cliff tops. When you look down, you see all these beautiful little coves that you wouldn't even know were there." He added: "It's such a beautiful way to travel, on horseback, especially if you want to do a bit of nature spotting because all the wildlife comes out to see what's going on." 6 The Antrim coast has some beautiful beaches Credit: Alamy 6 Matt also ventures to Kilkeel Harbour to have fish and chips Credit: More4 Stand-out beaches on the Antrim coast are the sandy shores of Benone Strand and Portrush's East and West Strands. There's also others, like White Park Bay and Ballycastle Beach. Another area of the Northern Irish coastline that Matt explores is Kilkeel Harbour where he met the country's only female harbourmaster - and enjoyed the landscape too. Matt said: "It's a big, beautiful, wonderful, welcoming community, and when I went it was a beautiful day. "We sat there sitting having fish and chips there and just being chatting with the locals - it was great." For anyone wanting to see parts of the British Isles they wouldn't usually get a look at, Matt has everyone covered. He added: "I really love where we live in Britain with the four nations that we've got, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England. "We visit all of those nations throughout the episodes - we've amalgamated it all into the ultimate celebration of the British Isles." For any British Isles adventurers, here are five islands off the coast of the UK that you can visit without needing your passport. And the British Isle that gets summer weather before the mainland. Watch Matt Baker's British Isles on Tuesdays at 9pm on More4.


Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh's Shirley Manson backs Kneecap in free speech row as fans call for TRNSMT boycott
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh-born singer Shirley Manson has backed Northern Irish hip hop trio Kneecap and called for free speech over Gaza after they were removed from the TRNSMT festival. Manson, 58, says she supports the band after they were ditched by the TRNSMT line-up due to safety concerns, reports The Daily Record. Describing the trio as 'decent young artists', the Garbage singer insisted they had a right to criticise an Israeli government which is accused of carrying out a genocide in Gaza. She said: 'Did Kneecap exercise the best judgment in their choice of words? 'I see why some people freaked out, but we all know deep down that they're decent young artists trying to affect change in some way and get us all to at least recognise that these people exist. 'While I sympathise with the fear and the historical suffering, the ancestral pain, I still don't understand how anyone can see what's going on in Gaza and not be crying out for it to stop.' She admitted that she could face a backlash for her support of the Belfast group. Manson said: 'I find it perplexing. I understand that's just a tactic to shut people up. 'Everyone's entitled to their opinion. If you're not physically hurting anyone, you're entitled to express it. 'What everyone is begging for is for the slaughter to stop and I don't see how anyone could argue against that, but they accuse us of being terrorist supporters. 'None of us are. 'If you cancel me, you cancel me… If you cancel us, I'll feel guilty that I've messed sh** up for my band, but I'd much rather be true to who I am as a human being, how I was raised by a family I'm very proud of.' Kneecap's removal from this summer's TRNSMT bill has led to calls from hundreds of music fans to boycott the festival. One fan, Laura, posted on X: 'Just sold my TRNSMT ticket. No Kneecap, no attendance. Not going to a festival that silences people for calling out a genocide.' Another, Rosanna Tarsiero, posted: 'Let's all just pull out of TRNSMT - forever.' Fearghas Kelly said: 'love the concept of boycotting TRNSMT. It's like boycotting ready salted crisps in a meal deal.' The Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee backed the boycott in a statement that said: 'TRNSMT say they are acting on 'police concerns' over 'public safety'. This is a spurious claim and a cowardly evasion by TRNSMT in seeking to remove the band and avoid responsibility for their own decision. Boycott TRNSMT.'