Ballyvaughan’s Daithi Makes Final Of Must Be The Music

Arts and Entertainment - Music

Monday, 30 August 2010 13:54

Written by Denise Lyons

A Ballyvaughan musician from the Sky talent show Must Be The Music is in the top 50 download charts after only his second ever public performance on UK television.

Avant garde violinist Daithí O’Dronai last night made it through to the live final of Sky One television’s ‘Must Be The Music’ show. One of his own original compositions also hit number 42 in the UK singles charts at the weekend. Unsigned act Pepper and Piano, who joined O’Dronai by qualifying for the finals of Must Be The Music, charted at number 10.

Hosted by Fearne Cotton, the eight week series on Sky 1 HD hands back control to the artists themselves, provides creative support, promotional advice and a cash fund of GBP100,000 to kick start their career. The final will be held live at Wembley Arena, where the finalists will be performing on the same stage as the show's prestigious judges in front of over 10,000 members of the public.

Alongside their tracks being available for download, the acts will also have merchandise available to purchase on their own tailored websites and on Sky.com.

Ó Drónaí played the traditional fiddle whilst growing up in Ballyvaughan. He progressed to playing the bass guitar in bands such as Keepsake and The Shackletons. He further developed his fiddling skills by the use of loop pedals and sounds.

He auditioned for the first series of The All Ireland Talent Show in 2009 and was selected to represent the West. Ó Drónaí easily qualified for the final when he came top of a public vote. Hewas the third of six acts to perform in the final which took place on the weekend of Saint Patrick's Day. He had been one of the favourites to win. However, he was the first to leave the show.

Ó Drónaí has appeared on several television series and performed in cities such as Cork, Dublin and Galway, as well as at the Electric Picnic 2009 and Castlepalooza 2010 music festivals.