Tuam’s Brendan strikes a note with X-Factor judges

One of the most talented singers to come out of Tuam in recent years says that he just wants a second chance to pursue a career in showbusiness.

And Brendan Murray, formerly one fifth of the boyband Hometown who were managed by Louis Walsh, has certainly grabbed the public’s attention following his performance on X-Factor last weekend.

And it was somewhat ironic that he was also given a second chance on stage in front of the judges after he had initially struggled with the lyrics – but he was afforded another opportunity to impress and he didn’t disappoint.

In fact, he received a standing ovation from the judges of the hugely-popular ITV show and this has given him a fresh impetus to get his music career back on track as he currently works as a plumber.

One of the judges Louis Tomlinson (a member of the boyband One Direction) said that he was really proud of Brendan’s performance.

“Almost an impossible task learning a song in a couple of hours,” he said before describing describe the performance as “legend”.

When Brendan (21) came on stage, he informed the judges that he was about to perform the Kate Bush hit “Woman’s Work” which he had just learned a couple of hours earlier.

He stumbled twice with the lyrics, was handed a glass of water by top judge Simon Cowell and then gave a performance, with the aid of the lyrics sheet, that brought them to their feet in applause.

The Irish 2017 Eurovision performer admitted to The Connacht Tribune that he was very nervous about performing. “I had butterflies,” he said.

“I din’t know what to expect. I had very mixed emotions as it was full-on and a long day.”

Asked how difficult it was learning a song in a few hours, Brendan said that it was probably one of the hardest tasks he ever had to do.

“It wasn’t just learning a song I didn’t know, it is also a really hard song to sing. It was a big task and I had to push myself to the limits, so I’m delighted it worked out well,” he added.

Regarding the standing ovation from the judges, he said: “I was just relieved. I was relieved that the whole thing was over. It was a big task that the judges set for me, but to get such a good reaction was amazing.

“The reaction since my audition has been amazing as well, especially online and back in Tuam. Everyone is very supportive. I’m a go-getter and someone said to me the other day that they thought I was a great role model.

“That really meant a lot. I’ve had a great reaction from my family and friends. They’ve always been very supportive and are really happy for me.”

During his time with Hometown, he performed in front of a sell-out crowd for the Sugar Beat Festival in Tuam back in 2015. They have since disbanded.