Ireland‘s internal selection process has taken another twist in its long journey to Lisbon. The Irish Sun is reporting that both punk icon John Lydon and sisterly duo Heathers are out of the running. Broadcaster RTÉ has instead selected a “male solo singer” who will reportedly be announced soon.

Both John Lydon — aka Johnny Rotten — and Heathers had made it as far as the top ten acts that were recently assessed by various focus groups.

RTÉ felt that Lydon and his ‘cowpunk’ song “Pleased to Meet You” were not right for Ireland at Eurovision 2018, as they say the Portuguese-hosted show will be going “back to basics”.

The folk-pop duo Heathers — made up of sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara — were under serious consideration, but negotiations fell apart over song choice. The broadcaster wasn’t happy with the self-written song the sisters had submitted and urged them to perform something written by another songwriter.

However, as an insider told The Irish Sun, “Heathers are accomplished songwriters so being the writer as well as the act singing it was a deal-breaker for them.”

With both Heathers and Lydon out of the running RTÉ had fallen back on a “plan B”. They are said to have secured a “male solo singer with TV experience”, who will be announced shortly.

But who is the mystery man? The Irish Sun has named several potential acts. Top of the list is Ryan O’Shaughnessy. He came to fame in 2012 when he made it to the live shows of The Voice of Ireland and later placed fifth on Britain’s Got Talent.

Also suggested is some past winners of  The Voice of Ireland: Pat Byrne (2012),  Keith Hanley (2013) and Brendan McCahey (2014)

We’ve also heard buzz around singer-songwriter Jake Carter. He’s the younger brother of Irish country music star Nathan Carter and is currently starring on the Irish edition of Dancing with the Stars.

Linda Martin’s winning formula

Meanwhile, Ireland’s 1992 Eurovision winner Linda Martin has shared her thought on how Ireland can get their Eurovision groove back.

The “Why Me” singer told chatshow host Ray D’Arcy that Ireland needs to return to sending ballads, as that’s the song Ireland has success with during its golden era 20 years ago. Fans have noted that Ireland has not had much luck with its recent Eurovision ballads, while Jedward’s uptempo “Lipstick” gave Ireland’s its only top-ten finish in the past decade.

Martin also said the Irish need to stop sneering at Eurovision and to embrace it for the huge performance and career opportunity it offers.

Who do you think the “male solo singer” is? Should Ireland take a ballad to Lisbon? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!

FOLLOW ALL OUR IRELAND EUROVISION 2018 NEWS

Total
1
Shares
38 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago

https://twitter.com/Ryan_Acoustic/status/958410892575756288

Good chance it’s Ryan who is a far superior artist than the previous 2 internal selections and is actually a solo singer, not a ex band member.

Janro
Janro
6 years ago

The song hasn’t even been revealed yet and already people are complaining… Jheez give Ireland a chance!

Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago

I think people just bash the potential choice based on past performances, people on here were bashing heathers yet now that they are out if the running suddenly people on here having nothing but positive things to say…

Oisin T
6 years ago

Knowing what we’ve sent recently, it’ll be another boyband reject with a crap song. Agh.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago

“Male solo singer”, “back to basics”, eh? I guess Irish want to copy Salvador Sobral, but like all copycats they’ll probably miss everything that made Salvador good.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

I don’t think they’re thinking of Salvador Sobral. If the Irish are considering a solo male singer again, they only have one guy in mind, and that’s Johnny Logan.
That being said, I’m bummed about Heathers. They could’ve been very good.

Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

No Spain are already doing that.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

It better not be Nathan Carter or his damn brother! That’s a serious step backwards!

I can see RTE doing this though because “Country worked for the Netherlands”. Creativity is not my national broadcaster’s strong point…

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

This is gonna be tough.

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

Don’t care who it is as long as he is a good singer and has a great song. Hoping for something modern, radio-friendly and a bit different but knowing RTE they have probably gone for your boring and typical Eurovision ballad

Evan
Evan
6 years ago

Mystery male solo singer? Hopefully not Brendan Murray again

But he’d be described as mystery female sounding singer….so probably not him

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

I’d be interested to hear the Heathers song that was rejected, piecing together the clues, it looks as if it was a ballad.

Not sure how I feel about another male soloist, Ireland has just had two disastrous results with the last two.

Monika
Monika
6 years ago

Thank God it’s not that old, outdated punk man. I wish for the best for Ireland, just get rid of Louis Walsh and do not listen to Linda Martin, send a young, modern artist with a modern track, take Belgium’s example… Bulgaria, Latvia, Israel. After so many failures they’ve managed to find the best formula for qualification in the past few years.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Monika

I think Linda Martin was mostly talking sense, until she got to the Johnny Logan part. Ballads can still win, see Portugal/Austria – so Ireland probably do have a better chance of finding a good ballad than a credible EDM-style entry, which they have shown time & time again is not their forte.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

She keeps saying get Johnny Logan to write the song. Since when is he a top songwriter? I don’t think he’s a written a single thing of note in the last 25 years, absolutely zilch.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

I listened to his song in that 50 years special from a while back, and I swear up and down that it could’ve finished in the top ten if it had competed that year. A good song is a good song. I really wish they tried something cool and Celtic like The Voice again, but considering the last time they tried that got them last place, I understand why they’d be hesitant.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

I hope the mystery man is Bressie.

He can write great pop songs, has great production values, and even has his own studio. He’s not bad looking either. He would be perfect, and given his existing connections with RTÉ (Voice of Ireland coach), I’m sure they would bite his hand off if only he were interested.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Ballads can do well at Eurovision, but only if one treats them and the contest seriously. I think this is what Linda’s getting at. Last year for example, getting Brendan to sing a ballad all by himself inside a fake hot-air balloon was just one big gimmick and was not taking the music seriously at all, in my opinion.

Sangfreud
Sangfreud
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Excellent point. When I listen to the studio recordings, Dying To Try is one of my favorite songs from 2017 – rich, melancholy and beautifully produced. But then when you watch the live performance, it just feels thin and shoddy. If you put an air balloon on the stage, it better fly. A strong song let down by a half-ass, badly executed staging.

Rick Narcoisian
6 years ago

the heathers would have been perfect…no final number 5 for ireland i think.

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

lmao linda martin’s “winning formula” is the worst formula ever!!!
Get johnny logan to write a ballad??? Im sorry but that is the least thing ireland needs, johnny logan was like 80 years ago and the contest have moved on sine that, when will they understand that???!! stupid woman

Pheonix
Pheonix
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

You… are an odious little man !

jayjay
jayjay
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

Yes… it is great living today in 2073.

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

Glen Hansard?

SebastienXavier
SebastienXavier
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

Is he even possible? I’m so rooting for Ireland if it’s him

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

I’m sorry, I don’t know. I just would like see him! I’m still in love with Once soundtracks. But I’m not from Ireland I have no idea what’s happening there. But he can make the final easily – Ireland is in 1st semi final.

SebastienXavier
SebastienXavier
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

Haha, I know, I just can’t believe if Ireland picks him. But I would be beyond happy if it’s him too!!

Matt
Matt
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

He’s probably not the pick, and I don’t know how well he’d fare, but I would love if they picked him.

Milan S.
Milan S.
6 years ago

I hope that this time it will be a male singer with average pitch below 250 Hz.

stephen podesta
stephen podesta
6 years ago

In our world of Music where fast paced songs are all the go and there are plenty of them Something out of left centre is needed, Eurovision is not for a regular song that can be heard any where. The singer must be able to sing well Live, this is the key, with a very good singer that can Interpret the song well will always do well. Australia is going to do a fast paced song with Jess Mauboy, she is a very good entertainer on stage, she is going to kill any song she brings, she has very good… Read more »

Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago

Jess Mauboy….. pfffffft hahaha oh you joker!

Candy
Candy
6 years ago

Michael Patrick Kelly? He’s Irish and he’s a male solo singer (singer songwriter actually)… and rather successful in Germany these days. He doesn’t seem like the type for ESC though…but oh, how I wish…

Yossarian
Yossarian
6 years ago

Mystery solo male singer… Johnny Logan? 😀

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Who are they to say that some genres are not right for Eurovision.

Justin
Justin
6 years ago

Who ever it is it ain’t no justin Bieber

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

Perfectly understandable that Heathers would turn down RTÉ’s demands to sing another song – chances are that their own is much better anyhow…

henning
henning
6 years ago

hahahaha RTE are so stupid

they will probably choose another westlife castoff

yet another year in the semi final for this loser country

Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago
Reply to  henning

I bet all Irish are affected by this ignorant post.