Meet the five Late Late Show Opening Act finalists
· RTE.ieThe Late Late Show will crown its inaugural Opening Act live on Friday night, with five finalists competing for the chance to open for Shania Twain in Limerick this July.
Paddy Treacy from Fermanagh, Jesse Sludds from Wexford, Caitlin Mackin from Armagh, Midnight in Vegas, a girl band with members from Dublin, Waterford and Essex, and Ryan Phoenix from Cork have all secured their place in the live show.
Each act will perform their rendition of a country classic in the hope of being named Ireland's new Opening Act. As well as the support slot at Thomond Park, the winner will also earn a place on The Late Late Show Country Music Special next October.
Fermanagh singer Paddy Treacy was the first finalist to be announced earlier in the week. He said taking part in the competition was a dream come true and spoke of his excitement at performing on a show he had watched since childhood.
Wexford singer Jesse Sludds was revealed on Tuesday. The 19-year-old is among the young acts hoping the competition will bring his music to a wider audience and mark the next step in his career.
Armagh native Caitlin Mackin was announced as the third finalist. She said being half Filipino and half Irish had shaped her experience in country music, and that she wants to challenge ideas about who belongs in the genre.
Midnight in Vegas were confirmed as the fourth act in the running. The group, made up of Keli-Ann Corcoran, Phoebe Dipple and Jamie Sullivan, will bring their own harmonies and style to the line-up.
Cork singer Ryan Phoenix completed the final five on Friday morning. He said he was excited to share his music with a wider audience and called the chance to open for Shania Twain "an incredible experience".
Host Patrick Kielty will be joined on the night by a panel of guests from across the country music scene, including Una Healy, Sandy Kelly, Ben Earle of The Shires and broadcaster Tom Dunne.
Judging will be carried out by two juries made up of music industry and country experts, but viewers at home will also have their say. Public voting lines will open live during the show, with Cliona Hagan set to deliver the results of the public vote.
Friday’s programme will also pay tribute to the late Clannad singer Moya Brennan, who died this week aged 73.
The Late Late Show Opening Act airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Friday at 9.35pm.