Search starts to find support act for Boyzone show

By Pam McClounie

Last updated 10:34, Saturday, 05 July 2008

The search is on for talent to perform on the same stage as Boyzone at this year’s Carlisle Live.

Boyzone

The Stobart Factor is the north’s music talent search contested by aspiring pop singers selected from public auditions.

The contest is open to both solo singers and groups and aims to discover a singing star of the future.

The prize also includes the chance to record a single at a studio in London.

Last year’s winner, Timothy Johnston, sang on stage at the Carlisle Live 2007 event with Westlife after winning a hotly-fought final performance in front of judges including Louis Walsh from The X-Factor and singer Shayne Ward.

Tim said: “I was on a train to Newcastle to visit some family there and got chatting to a girl who told me about the Stobart Factor.

“It’s not usually the kind of thing I would do but I had a really good feeling so I gave it a go.

“Getting through each round gave me more and more confidence and everyone was so friendly and encouraging which really helped too.

“It’s a really well run event and it boosted me after winning to keep going.

“This year I am in the Boot Camp at The X-Factor and without the Stobart Factor giving me the self-belief I could do it I don’t think I would be where I am now.”

Anyone over the age of 15 can enter the Stobart Factor auditions. Each act will be expected to deliver an unaccompanied performance of two songs to a panel of judges, which will include celebrities. After the judges deliberation the lucky budding singing stars will proceed to the Stobart Factor semi final.

Each semi-finalist will receive vocal-training from a top singing coach.

Andrew Tinkler, the man behind The Stobart Factor and Carlisle Live, said: “You just don’t know who is out there, there could be stars in the making who get their break through The Stobart Factor – this is what makes it all so exciting.

“We’ve got some really great guests coming to judge across the four events – some you will certainly be seeing at Carlisle Live on August 23 and 24 too.”

Audition dates will take place on July 19 at the Trafford Centre in Manchester from 10am to 6pm; July 20 at the Sandcastle in Blackpool from 10am to 6pm; July 26 at the Metro Centre in Gateshead from 10am to 6pm and July 27 at Carlisle Racecourse from 5pm to 10pm.

NO matter what the critics tell you - Boyzone have still got it. Thousands of fans screamed their way through the trip down memory lane last night as the famous five played the first of three nights at Glasgow's SECC.

Eight years after splitting up, the boy band proved they still know how to wow a crowd with a powerful two-hour set.

Lead singer Ronan Keating and the boys kicked off the energy-filled, colourful show with Picture of You before continuing the night of nostalgia with hits Love Me For a Reason, A Different Beat, Words, Baby Can I Hold You and You're All That I Need, along with solo numbers from both Ronan and Stephen Gateley.

A medley of Jackson Five hits whipped the crowd of female fans into a frenzy, while a raunchy rendition of When The Goin' Gets Tough saw all the boys, minus Mikey Graham, strip down to their smalls during a work out routine.

Surrounded throughout by scantily-clad female dancers, Boyzone couldn't hide their delight at being back on the music scene and one by one took centre stage.

The boys slipped in upbeat track We Can't Stop Thinking About You, which is rumoured to be their comeback single, before inviting one lucky female fan competition winner onstage.

The strongest song of the night was inevitably No Matter What, which saw Ronan, Stephen, Keith, Shane and Mikey elevated above the crowd, travelling into the middle of the room, reducing all the gathered grown-up women to giggling girls in an instant.

Back in the charm zone

Take That's triumphant return inspired this comeback from their Irish rivals, who split eight years ago and then veered into acrimony.

Boyzone always seemed amiable and a bit amateurish in their early days but this was a surprisingly successful Wembley spectacular. And the Irish charm and number ones drew in thousands to three London arena shows over the weekend.

Boyzone wowed crowds at a packed O2 Arena at the weekend.

The Irish boyband looked genuinely overwhelmed as the audience of young girls, and older women screaming like they were 15 again, welcomed them back on stage in London.

Keith Duffy said: "Eight years ago we hung up our mics and we though that was it. But we're back and it's all thanks to you. Thank you so much. It's great to here."

Keith, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham impressed with a string of all their old hits. Ronan also sang his solo singles When You Say Nothing At All and Rollercoaster, with a bit of back up from the boys.

For die-hard Boyzone fans, Key To My Life and Be So Good were significantly missing from the playlist, while the five lads from Dublin performed a Michael Jackson medley instead.

But the boys put on a impressive show packed with dance routines and pyrotechnics. They even showcased a new single and promised fans this tour is more than just a one-off reunion.

Friday night's show was almost thrown into chaos as cancelled trains on the Jubilee line meant the O2 Arena was only half full during the support acts. Boyzone were considering delaying their performance for the unlucky fans stuck on the Tube, but fortunately the underground sorted itself out and by the time the boys were on stage every seat in the house was full

Boyzone tour going well

Ronan Keating has revealed that the Boyzone tour preparations are going well.

The No Matter What singer has enjoyed a successful solo career but agreed to reunite with his old boyband buddies, and is really pleased with the results.