Brian McFadden Is Searching for Ireland’s Next Big Boyband

If you’ve spent years perfecting your harmonies in the shower or quietly convinced yourself you were born to be on a stage, this one’s for you. A brand-new talent search has launched to find Ireland’s next boyband, and the panel behind it is genuinely impressive.

Leading the charge is Brian McFadden, former Westlife member and a man who knows a thing or two about what it takes to make it in pop. He’s joined by Sarah Gallagher, founder of NDA Talent, who spent 17 years at Modest Management, the company that guided the careers of One Direction, JLS and Little Mix, and who personally managed Olly Murs. Rounding out the panel is Paul Franklin, a senior music agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in London, with a client list that includes Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, McFly, Busted, The Wanted and The Vamps. So no, this isn’t some knockabout local talent contest. The people involved have serious form.

Who Can Apply?

The search is open to aspiring singers aged 17 to 19, and applications are being accepted online right now. Brian McFadden has been clear about what the panel is looking for. “We’re looking for lads aged 17 to 19 who have great voices, personality, ambition and, most importantly, a passion for music,” he said. “Ireland has always produced incredible talent, and I believe the next big boyband is out there waiting to be discovered. This could be a life-changing opportunity, so if you think you’ve got what it takes, we want to hear from you.”

Successful applicants will be contacted with details of an in-person audition in Dublin, though further information on that stage is still to be confirmed. Industry experts from across the music business will also be involved in the process, so the level of scrutiny will be high and the opportunity, if you get through, is real.

How to Apply

Applications are open now at eu.castitreach.com and will close on Sunday 25 October at 5pm. That’s a tight enough window, so if you know someone who fits the bill, pass it on immediately.

McFadden’s own story is worth remembering here. Westlife shifted over 55 million records worldwide and had seven consecutive number one singles in the UK and Ireland on debut. He went solo, hit number one with ‘Real to Me’, and still tours today as part of BoyzLife. He’s not pitching nostalgia — he’s genuinely looking to build something new, with the infrastructure to back it up.

The Bigger Picture

Ireland has a long and proud history of producing pop acts that travel far beyond these shores, and the team behind this search clearly believes there’s another generation ready to do the same. With Sarah Gallagher’s management pedigree and Paul Franklin’s agency connections at CAA, whoever makes it through to form this group will have access to a level of industry support that most acts spend years trying to reach.

If you’re between 17 and 19 and this is even slightly your dream, the application is online and the deadline is the 25th of October. Don’t leave it to the last minute.