Alexander Zane Reed Lowe (born 7 August 1973) is a New Zealand radio DJ, live DJ, record producer, and television presenter.
After an early career in music creation, production and DJing, he moved to the UK in 1997. He came to prominence through presenting on XFM and MTV Europe (MTV Two), developing a DJ career by opening sets for bands and eventually landing a slot on prime-time radio on BBC Radio 1 from 2003 to 2015.
In 2015, he was hired by Apple to be the Creative Director of their new world-wide music station, Apple Music 1.
Early career
Born in Auckland,[1] Lowe attended Auckland Grammar School and was a presenter on local music station Max TV.[2] Zane was a member of Urban Disturbance, an early 90s hip hop group whose standout hit was "No Flint No Flame"[3] and Breaks Co-Op, alongside Andy Lovegrove and Hamish Clark. Lowe and Clark formed Breaks Co-Op in Auckland, releasing the electronic album Roofers in 1997 before they both left New Zealand to travel and pursue other interests. Both would eventually develop their careers in the UK.
DJ
Lowe performing live
Lowe relocated to the UK in 1997. He initially worked at the Record and Tape Exchange in Notting Hill, before being asked to cover for a show on XFM, going on to host XFM's Music Response. In 2003, he joined BBC Radio 1.[4]
Lowe started his career on MTV UK before moving to MTV2 Europe (now MTV Rocks) presenting shows such as MTV News (1998–2001), MTV News Daily Edition (1999–2001) and Brand:New (1999). From 2002 to 2015, he presented Gonzo, its flagship music show.
BBC Radio 1
Lowe's BBC Radio 1 evening show was broadcast from 2003 to 2015. The show developed a number of features including the "Zane Lowe Meets" interviews.
On 15 February 2015 it was announced that Lowe would be leaving BBC Radio 1 in March 2015 to launch a new station with Apple.[9] Lowe presented his last show on 5 March 2015.
Apple Music 1
At the 2015 Apple WWDC Keynote, Lowe was introduced as one of the DJs of Apple Music 1 (previously Beats 1[10]), a radio station part of Apple Music.[11] He was also the host of the Apple Music show Planet of the Apps.
Lowe saved Ryan Jarman's life at the 2006 NME Awards, in an incident which NME referred to as "engraved in indie folklore".[12] The incident occurred when Jarman's band, the Cribs, accepted an award on behalf of winners Franz Ferdinand. While on his way to collect the trophy from presenter Russell Brand, Jarman fell onto the Kaiser Chiefs' table and pierced his back with broken glass, narrowly missing his vital organs.[12]
Jarman was taken to hospital but discharged himself to return for the show's after-party later in the night. However, he fell unconscious in a back corridor. Lowe, a fellow guest at the party, found Jarman lying on the floor bleeding profusely and another ambulance was called which took Jarman to hospital where doctors stitched up the injuries.[13]
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