Nigel on The Voice this weekend
Kian is on a roll this week and the other coaches are convinced he is playing them all. He uses all the right words like ‘artists’ and ‘album’, it helps of course when some of the contestants are huge Westlife fans! Rachel gets a guitar lesson from somebody on her team, and she needs it as she struggles to hold the guitar properly!
Athboy's Nigel Connell is 42 and has been a session musician for most of his life, working with Linda Martin, Nathan Carter and has been Daniel O'Donnell’s drummer for the past 6 years - singing Desire by U2.
Up first is Maria Cuche (50) is originally from Louth she now lives in France with her husband and 7 children, Maria who represented Ireland in the Eurovision in 1985 (and came sixth) is legally blind since the age of 9. One day at school she could not see board, a few weeks later she couldn’t see anything at all. She suffers from a rare disease that wipes out the retina. Singing If I Were a Boy she feels it’s now or never.
Conor Cunningham (22) is from Killaloe in Clare is up next and floors Kathryn! It's not what you think though...Conor is a Krav Maga enthusiast which is a form of self defence, he shows super fit Kathryn a few moves. Singing Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus.
Sligo lass Kelesa Mulcahy (33) is no stranger to the stage, having toured with Liberty X and Blue when she was in the girlband Minx, which was managed by Sinead from B*Witched. She knows Kian very well as they grew up together as kids. Will he recognise her voice, and more importantly will he hit his button? She is singing a song sure to please Kian – ACDC’s Singing Highway to Hell Bressie turns first Rachel Kian and Una. Kian tells the others he grew up with Kelesa and knows her extremely well.
Sara Moore (34) from Firhouse used to sing in the Dublin Gospel Choir, since separating from her husband last year she has put a kind of Bucket List together, she has been to India learned how to surf and has auditioned for the Voice of Ireland, singing Can't Remember to Forget You by Shakira fest Rihanna.
Karen Louise (18) is from Swords just has finished a 2 year course for Performing Arts in London, Her mother moved with her as she felt 16 was too young to go alone. Three months later her father passed away suddenly on Christmas Eve of that year. It was a hard decision to go back to London but she is glad she made it. Singing Amnesia' 5 Seconds of Summer.
Jenni Flaherty (26) from Galway has endured years of painful treatments for a debilitating illness - Hemicranias Continua. Suffering from severe headaches, she was forced to drop out of college and found it difficult to hold down a job because she was in constant pain. She gets Botox in her scalp every three months which stops all the muscles contracting and takes away the pressure. Singing Taylor Swift Style.
22 year old busker Clodagh Lawlor hails from Newmarket on Fergus Clare, she brings either her mum or dad with her to act as security when she busks. She is a huge Westlife fan so is really hoping Kian will turn around. She takes on a tough song to sing How Deep is Your Love by Calvin Harris. Dance songs are hard to sing with a live band but Clodagh puts her own spin on it and does a sterling job.
David Idioh (33) Iives in Raheen in Limerick, is originally from Nigeria and used to be a big fan of Westlife but never knew they were Irish! He is Musical Director of the Limerick Gospel Choir and lectures in the University of Limerick. He would love to see Kian turn. Singing Ben E. King’s Stand By Me.
Patrick Kelly (34) from Tallaght has no experience performing but has always loved to sing. One of his daughters did too until her mum passed away a few years ago. He is hoping if he can get back into it, it will inspire her too. He has Choose the Moody Blues classic Nights in White Satin to sing.
18 year old Jordan O'Neill from Limerick is this week's 2fm Wild Card His mother filled out the application form for him and says ‘if you have it you have it - and he has got it’. Singing Stolen Dance by Milky Chance. Can he impress the coaches?
Jason Fahy (41) is from Ballina in Tipperary. His kids love the show and have been pestering him for the last two years to enter, they have no idea he has come along today to audition. He wants to surprise them when they see him on TV. Performing One Hand in my Pocket by Alanis Morrisette.