Linda Martin told us that he would have five backing singers in Kyiv. And on Wednesday, Ireland’s Brendan Murray revealed their identities.
Taking to Instagram, the “Dying To Try” crooner teased fans with a backstage shot of the quintet, writing:
I’m Delighted to have these guys singing backing vocals for me in Kyiv for Ireland over the next 2 weeks at @eurovision ! Gunna be amazing @grahamkellyy @julesdedwards @shanemcdaid @alisonvardmiller @margot.daly
#dyingtotry #ireland #celebratediversity #eurovision2017 #esc #eurovisionsongcontest #irish #backingvocals #music #singing
Brendan Murray backing vocalists Eurovision 2017
The soon-to-be moderately famous five consists of three males and two females. They are Graham Kelly, Jules Edwards, Shane McDaid, Alison Vard Miller and Margot Daly. While none of them are household names in Ireland, they all come with plenty of experience.
Shane McDaid is an actor, Alison Vard Miller runs her own stage school, Margot Daly provided backing vocals on The Voice of Ireland, and Jules Edwards has worked on touring productions of Calamity Jane and Sister Act. Alison and Margot are Eurovision veterans, having also provided backing for Ireland in 2013 and 1992 respectively.
All five were handpicked by Eurovision 1992 winner Linda Martin. Speaking to us at the Eurovision Conference in Maynooth, she explained her vision:
I’ve got five backing singers going with Brendan because I was asked to pick them. I’ve got five big voices going with him. They provide a gospel type choir in the background.
She also confirmed that Nicoline Refsing will oversee Ireland’s staging. The in-demand stage director previously worked with Dami Im, Aminata and Francesca Michielin — to name just three.
Staging is being done by Nicoline who staged Australia last year… That’s going to be quite spectacular. And RTÉ are actually spending money!
The “Why Me” songstress is hopeful that Brendan can bring Ireland’s non-qualification streak to an end. And she’s not the only one who’s excited.
The ex-boybander’s social media profiles are awash with comments from well wishers. One Spanish Eurofan, named Manel Navarro, writes “Cant wait to see you killing it man”. Ditto!
What do you think of Ireland’s Eurovision 2017 chances? Can Brendan Murray take Ireland back to the final? Let us know in the comments below.
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I heard live version of “Dying To Try” from Semi2 and to be honest guy who was backing vocalist was better than main singer Brendan Murray
He should have sung whole song, it would sound waaaay much better
On a musical note, I don’t see how the “gospel choir” backing fits with the message of “Dying To Try.” Practically it reminds me of X-Factor winning singles and some Westlife hits, but seems nothing to do with the song itself. If Brendan went to a church and used this song to propose (as a proposal song for marriage) then it might make more sense, but it’s still a tenuous use of genre. Here’s my other issue with this: 5 great backing singers are much louder than Brendan Murray’s voice is. Unless the sound team work very hard, then Brendan… Read more »
Well thank god there are 10 spotsunami in the final and not 1
I believe all three guys are amazing vocalists and I actually prefer Brendan’s song.
Mmm Brendan
Out of topic- this massage is for a troll who call him self @Elle :what happened? Are you upset that imri is in the top of the poll of the next top model?? Ho sorry for you..get over it and get some life.stop trolling imri fans.
I don’t know if this song if strong enough to qualify. What I know is that there will be drama if it doesn’t make it.
EBU want Ireland in final. They got great draw in II semi final to sing last in first half Interesting EBU change draw rule in 2013 , to we don t have ballad after ballad, uptempo song after uptemp song, and they fix to we had in II semi in first half from 1 to 10 place now 9, only 3 uptempo song and they have draw 1 , 4 now 3 (because Russia is witherdraw) and Romania sing 6 now 5 . EBU must change rules for 2018 , draw like before 2013 no producer and EBU reference group… Read more »
You need to remember that NTU have seen the staging and all that sounds the fact they put Ireland last shows they quite like the Irish package, say what you like about the song but we have yet to see it in a competitive form so opinions could completely change.
Last year l Australia sang last in first half on second semi this year Ireland. Both are Anglosphere countires and native english speakers.
But then again Portugal sing last in there semi despite being the only non English song in the semi.
Both Ireland and Portugal got good draw this year,because EBU want to see both countries in final , because both failed in qualification in last few years , Ireland don t see final from 2013 and Portugal from 2010.