0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hi I'm Katie B and this is Hit The Stage,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07and I'm going to be taking a group of budding musicians
0:00:07 > 0:00:10and giving them the chance to perform on the biggest stages
0:00:10 > 0:00:11we can find.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Budding DJs go from playing their mum and dad's parties
0:00:18 > 0:00:21to rocking the decks at major festivals.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26Singers from singing hymns in church to performing to sell-out crowds.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29And songwriters from sharing their songs with no-one
0:00:29 > 0:00:33to playing to an audience of thousands.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Are you ready to Hit The Stage? We are!
0:00:41 > 0:00:44# I keep on moving with the lights on
0:00:44 > 0:00:46# The lights on
0:00:46 > 0:00:47# So come on play me just one more... #
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I've been lucky enough to make a life out of doing something
0:00:50 > 0:00:53that I love - singing and performing.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55You may even know some of my hit singles.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02And now I'm in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Why am I here? Well, it's simple.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07This year the city is the UK's first ever City Of Culture,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11which means there's loads of massive music events happening
0:01:11 > 0:01:15all year round and I'm going to help some local kids to Hit The Stage.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23I won't be doing it alone - I've got two local musicians to help me out
0:01:23 > 0:01:27when I'm not around. Glenn, who loves hitting the stage himself
0:01:27 > 0:01:29when he's rocking out with his band...
0:01:29 > 0:01:32The spark of creativity they have really reignites the spark
0:01:32 > 0:01:35that you have, so I'm really looking forward to the eight months,
0:01:35 > 0:01:36and seeing where this is going to go.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38D Major...
0:01:38 > 0:01:40And Jenny, who likes to take things a bit more slowly
0:01:40 > 0:01:44when she's teaching students how to play the harp or sing.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47It's really inspiring to think that these kids really have
0:01:47 > 0:01:49so much potential, so I'm really, really excited to see
0:01:49 > 0:01:51what they're going to come up with.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Last time on Hit The Stage,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55we saw Micaela go from singing songs in church
0:01:55 > 0:01:59to performing on a massive stage in front of thousands.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02We found out that Eibhin loves to sing,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05but needs to work on his preparation a bit more.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Hiya!
0:02:09 > 0:02:12And I told singer-songwriter Hannah she's been booked
0:02:12 > 0:02:15to play a massive outdoor stage at a CBBC festival.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20She has all the confidence in the world
0:02:20 > 0:02:21when she plays other people's songs,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25but when it comes to the brilliant songs that she's written herself,
0:02:25 > 0:02:26it's a different story.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29I always think to play me own song, you know, it's a bit of a risk,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33it's always a bit of a risk, like, are they going to like it?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Are they going to, you know, are they going to hate it?
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Hannah has a fabulous talent, and in preparation for her Leeds concert,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44I want to convince her that she really belongs in the big time.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48One of the headline events of City of Culture is Radio 1's Big Weekend,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and I'm sending her to soak up the atmosphere and meet Woody,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55who is the drummer in one of her favourite bands, Bastille.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59I actually do a cover of one of your songs as well,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- I do a cover of Pompeii.- Nice, so can I please hear your cover?
0:03:03 > 0:03:04- OK.- If that's all right, yeah?
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- OK. OK, yes.- Let's hear it then.
0:03:07 > 0:03:15# I was left in my own devices... #
0:03:15 > 0:03:19I never thought that, like, I would be sitting here playing Pompeii
0:03:19 > 0:03:23with, you know, one of the guys that wrote the song.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29While Hannah is rubbing shoulders with her favourite pop stars,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31guess who else she bumps into?
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Yeah, me!
0:03:33 > 0:03:35So how are you feeling that you're going to be performing
0:03:35 > 0:03:38on a big stage outside like this at Radio 1?
0:03:38 > 0:03:41No words. Like, I'm just...
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Like... Even just being here today, it's like...
0:03:45 > 0:03:51Like, to think that I'm going to be doing something like that is just...
0:03:51 > 0:03:53mental.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Hannah seems to be flying on her musical journey,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59but it looks like Eibhin is struggling to get off the ground
0:03:59 > 0:04:00with his.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I've organised for Eibhin to perform
0:04:02 > 0:04:07at a major City of Culture concert with Irish music legend Phil Coulter
0:04:07 > 0:04:09and Damian McGinty from Glee.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14Phil is known as Derry's Simon Cowell, and he's just as tough...
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- There's no free rides in my gig. - OK.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17If it's not good enough, you're not on.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20# Oh, it takes every kind of people... #
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Eibhin sometimes struggles to remember his words...
0:04:23 > 0:04:26# Life's about, yeah... #
0:04:26 > 0:04:28..and that doesn't go down well with Phil.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Did I hear that on a previous airing that you forgot your words?
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Yeah.- That, at the level we're talking about,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- the level that you want to aspire to...- Mm-hm.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40..that is unforgivable.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43With only three weeks to go before hitting the stage
0:04:43 > 0:04:48in front of 2,000 people, I think he needs all the support he can get.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I think the reason why he keeps forgetting his words
0:04:50 > 0:04:52is that he's not really feeling what they mean,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55so I've arranged for the city's top theatre director
0:04:55 > 0:04:58to give him a crash course in performance.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02# Running on the river tonight
0:05:02 > 0:05:04# With...
0:05:04 > 0:05:09# Will history divide us...
0:05:12 > 0:05:14# ..all alighting
0:05:14 > 0:05:17# And the stars are written... #
0:05:17 > 0:05:18OK, stop, stop.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22I've worked with singers before and I've come up with this problem
0:05:22 > 0:05:25because what happens is you get so focused on trying to make
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- a lovely sound...- Mm-hm.- ..I don't think you've really realised yet
0:05:28 > 0:05:31that you're actually telling us a story.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34You've come out there as if you were going to be shot,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36whereas you're coming out to tell us
0:05:36 > 0:05:39that there's a new future for all of us.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43The song Bright Brand New Day that Eibhin is singing
0:05:43 > 0:05:46has been written especially for Derry's City of Culture year
0:05:46 > 0:05:49by top songwriter Phil, and it has a very special meaning.
0:05:50 > 0:05:56# There's a fresh breeze blowing through the city tonight... #
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Its hard believe now, but for 30 years Northern Ireland
0:05:59 > 0:06:03was torn apart by a period of violence called the Troubles,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05in which people from two different sides fought each other.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Hundreds of people from this city were killed by bombs and bullets,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12but thankfully that's in the past, and Phil Coulter's song
0:06:12 > 0:06:16has a powerful message of a brand-new future.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Just trust yourself.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20You're afraid to do it cos you think you're going to look silly,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- isn't that it? - And I know I'm going to look silly.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Your voice is great, your voice will be brilliant, but you're...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29You're mixing up all the words as well. Like, Phil Coulter will
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- not let you...- Rip me apart. - He won't let you on stage.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- Do you want to do this? - Yeah.- Do you?- Yeah.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38I don't think you do.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40The way you're acting at the minute,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42I don't even know if you want to be a singer.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44No, but seriously, I mean, it's like...
0:06:44 > 0:06:46It's like everything is so painful for you.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47Everything is painful for me.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- It shouldn't be.- Do you think she's right or is she completely wrong?
0:06:51 > 0:06:52She is right, aye.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57Can you find a phrase, three words that you like the sound of?
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- The chorus. The... - Say the chorus to me.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06There's a bright brand new day, come and step out of the darkness
0:07:06 > 0:07:07and into the light.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- Say that to me and mean it.- Aaah!
0:07:12 > 0:07:15If that's all we get out of today, you convince me
0:07:15 > 0:07:17that something is going to change.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19But I don't think anything's going to change.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22It's the same, it's not a new day, it's the same day.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Is tomorrow the same day...- Yes!
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- ..as to day?- Basically.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29What makes it the same?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Well, you wake up, go to school, go to bed, that...
0:07:32 > 0:07:35If Eibhin can't get to grips with this song,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37he won't be allowed to sing at the concert.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39It's tough, but that's what it takes
0:07:39 > 0:07:41if you want to perform on the biggest stages.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Across town, another of our Hit the Stage group
0:07:49 > 0:07:51is about to start his musical adventure.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Conal, come on, there's a match in the Brandywell. Come on, look...
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Wait till you see what I got you...
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Look at that. For the Candy Stripe.
0:07:59 > 0:08:0113-year-old Conal loves his football.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Him and his grandad Tommy never miss a game
0:08:04 > 0:08:06when Derry City are playing at home.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Not content to just cheer the team on, Conal's musical skills
0:08:17 > 0:08:20are relied upon to bang the drum of support.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21This kid has rhythm,
0:08:21 > 0:08:26which is more than can be said for the team, unfortunately.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28But drums aren't Conal's main instrument.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30He's big into his Irish traditional music
0:08:30 > 0:08:33and he's been playing the fiddle, what I would call a violin,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35since the age of seven.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Irish traditional music is a big part of life here in Derry,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and Conal plays all over the city at small events
0:08:43 > 0:08:45and when he practises at home
0:08:45 > 0:08:48he's always guaranteed one dedicated superfan.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53That dog's dancing!
0:09:05 > 0:09:08So I'm just on my way to see Conal now.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10I'm really intrigued by his fiddle playing
0:09:10 > 0:09:11and his traditional Irish roots,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14so hopefully I'll get to hear some more.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- Hello.- Hello, Conal! - Heyyy!- How's it going?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33When I said I wanted to hear him play,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35I wasn't quite expecting this reception.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46That was brilliant. Thank you so much.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- That was a bit of a fun.- What's that piece called? Has it got a name?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Er, the music?- Yeah.- Harvest Song.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- Not like the stuff you're doing. - Yeah.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03It was Conal's grandad Tommy who first spotted his sense of rhythm
0:10:03 > 0:10:07and introduced him to the fiddle when he was only seven.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10So how did you first get into playing the fiddle?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Well, I was at my granddad's house
0:10:13 > 0:10:15and I was watching the TV.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18There was music on and I started tapping me foot,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21so then he got me a fiddle.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- What, there and then?- Aye. - Ah, cool.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Ever since then I was playing the fiddle.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31So now I've met Conal I have definitely got a bit of a vibe
0:10:31 > 0:10:33for his Irish roots.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37I've had his sisters doing Irish dancing in the living room,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41so I'm really going to have to find something with a traditional vibe
0:10:41 > 0:10:43in the city this year for him perform at.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52This is the live room.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Conal's journey might just be starting, but Hannah is gearing up
0:10:55 > 0:11:00for her biggest stage yet - CBBC's Live in Leeds festival.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04In preparation for her big performance she's hard at work
0:11:04 > 0:11:06in the studio with Glenn.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08He's a pro at recording all the best local bands,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12and Hannah's trying out a new song that she wants to play at the event.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17# Cos I don't know who you are any more... #
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I knew that by sending Hannah to Leeds to perform on a bigger stage
0:11:20 > 0:11:23she would have to up her game, and she has.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25That new song sounds great.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26I'm so excited for her.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- Do you feel good?- I feel great.- Cool.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Eibhin has just two weeks to go to make the song Phil Coulter
0:11:46 > 0:11:48gave him to learn his own.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50But he is still struggling with it.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54# ..brand new day that's coming... #
0:11:56 > 0:12:00Especially getting the words right.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I'm here to help...
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Ice cream!
0:12:04 > 0:12:05How you feeling?
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- Oh, yeah, terrified. Completely, really.- Terrified?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- It's going to be awful. - Oh, why are you saying that for?
0:12:11 > 0:12:15I'm going to mess up my lines or something... Oh, God!
0:12:15 > 0:12:17No, you won't, you won't.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22Oh, gosh, this looks...
0:12:24 > 0:12:28If I need to learn a song I'll put the song on my phone
0:12:28 > 0:12:32or on my MP3 and I'll just keep playing it over and over again.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Are you're not sick of it by the end of it?
0:12:34 > 0:12:38The feeling of going on stage under-prepared is like torture.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42It's like the most horrible feeling that you can give to yourself.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45So I just think, "Ah, I don't want that feeling,"
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I want to be able to go on stage, be confident, have fun, enjoy it,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52you know, really think about like performing it,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54and think about the emotion rather than thinking about
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- the technical words and the notes, you know.- Uh-huh.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Eibhin has such a beautiful voice.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I really hope that he can crack Phil's song in time.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07There's the stage, Hannah.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Hannah's cracked her song and has made it to Leeds for her big gig.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Before the gates open to let the crowds in,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Hannah has to sound check to make sure everything is working properly.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27# Hold on to what you have
0:13:27 > 0:13:29# Start dreaming something better
0:13:29 > 0:13:31# Dreaming something better
0:13:31 > 0:13:33# Dreaming something better... #
0:13:33 > 0:13:36And it looks like she's picked up a couple of new fans.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Second on... I'm second on! I'm second on!
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- Hi, Hannah.- Hi!- How you doing?
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- Dom!- We do huggles, do we? Hey, look at this. How are you, Hannah?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47I-I love, I loved Da Bungalow. I watched it every morning.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Did you really?- How are you? - Hi!- Lovely to meet you.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51Oh, my love. Cuddles.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54She watched the Bungalow every morning when she was little.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Watched it every single morning.- And now look at you headlining this gig!
0:13:57 > 0:14:01We're your comperes now, we're working for you.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02We're introducing you.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04This is so crazy. I used to love you so much.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07I've just been to your sound check, your rehearsal, sounded nice.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Your voice is absolutely beautiful.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10If I had known you were here
0:14:10 > 0:14:12I would've brought me Da Bungalow annual.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15To sign? We'll have to sign your guitar. We'll deface it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- She's not so keen on that idea.- No.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- We'll leave you to rehearse. - Good luck.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22OK. OK. I'll see you later. Bye.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Aaah!
0:14:32 > 0:14:36The pop star might just be starting to relax and enjoy the atmosphere,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39but her mum is really feeling the pressure.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43I'm sick as a dog. I'm so nervous I'm going to throw up...
0:14:45 > 0:14:47..and I'm not coping very well with it.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52With the gates open and crowds streaming into the venue
0:14:52 > 0:14:54it's time for Hannah to Hit The Stage.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Oh, my God.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I never thought I'd get to here, where I am, ever,
0:15:03 > 0:15:07ever and I'm really nervous now, so don't talk to me.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Make a big Leeds noise and a big welcome for Hannah!
0:15:11 > 0:15:12CROWD CHEERS
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Hi, everybody. Having a good time?
0:15:19 > 0:15:24# I feel sorry for the girl that came before
0:15:24 > 0:15:30# Cos I don't know who you are any more
0:15:30 > 0:15:33# So here we are
0:15:33 > 0:15:36# Just me and my guitar
0:15:36 > 0:15:39# Like a lone park ranger
0:15:39 > 0:15:42# Writing a song for a stranger
0:15:47 > 0:15:52# People told us they made a mistake
0:15:53 > 0:15:57# And at the time I just didn't listen
0:15:58 > 0:16:00# But it did something
0:16:00 > 0:16:01# Changed you
0:16:01 > 0:16:02# I felt it
0:16:03 > 0:16:08# More powerful than any song ever written
0:16:09 > 0:16:13# And I'm sorry for wasting your time
0:16:14 > 0:16:18# But in a way you'll always be mine
0:16:20 > 0:16:22# So here we are
0:16:22 > 0:16:25# Just me and my guitar
0:16:25 > 0:16:28# Like a lone park ranger
0:16:28 > 0:16:32# Writing a song for a stranger. #
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Thank you!
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- Class! You sounded amazing. - Thank you!
0:16:49 > 0:16:52I never thought I'd get to where I am now.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I always thought I was just going to be bedroom Hannah.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59I have always wanted to play on a stage like this,
0:16:59 > 0:17:04this is something that only somebody my age can dream about.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05It's an amazing feeling.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Hit The Stage isn't just about individual performances.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Our entire group of 13 are all performing something together.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25I've chosen the song Chasing Cars from local band Snow Patrol,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27but when it was announced it didn't go down so well.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32It only does playing when someone gets put out the X Factor.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33Everybody keeps saying
0:17:33 > 0:17:35that they sort of hear it all the time, it's played out.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39So I think I'll have to do something radical to get the ball rolling...
0:17:39 > 0:17:40for real.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44OK, guys, is it nice and warm in there?
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Oh, my God!
0:17:57 > 0:17:59I wanted the group to relax and have some fun,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03and I think they're really starting to get into the swing of things.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Three, two, one!
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Why don't we just get them to practise?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13I can't believe Glenn and Jenny have been roped in to this too.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Three! Two! One!
0:18:21 > 0:18:24After all their fun it's time for a little bit of work,
0:18:24 > 0:18:25but not too much.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I'm hoping this next exercise will start to make them think
0:18:31 > 0:18:33more creatively about the track I've chosen.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38OK, guys. Now we're going to try and workshop our ideas.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41We're all going to get paint, we're all going to grab a colour each
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and that's going to be kind of like your part.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46So this is a big blank canvas. This is the start of the song,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48and way down there is the end of the song.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50So every person has a colour
0:18:50 > 0:18:52and the more colours we have the more people there are,
0:18:52 > 0:18:53and if there's only one colour
0:18:53 > 0:18:55there will be only one thing playing.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56SONG: "Express Yourself"
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Do you think the piano should come in here, then?
0:19:01 > 0:19:04I could make the beats along with the piano.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Well, do you want to try and maybe put on some colour?
0:19:08 > 0:19:10At the end, do you think we should all come in together,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12and have that really big...
0:19:12 > 0:19:13That really big finish?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18I think it really unlocked everybody's kind of creative side.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21And made everybody think about each other.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23And want to express themselves more.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25JENNY: They've really bonded well together today and the graffiti
0:19:25 > 0:19:28was a great way to start, but I think we need to take all this now
0:19:28 > 0:19:32and go back to the practise rooms and get concrete plans.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34The group have definitely made their mark.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Let's hope this can inspire them in the practise room.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44The time has come for Eibhin to find out
0:19:44 > 0:19:46if all his hard work has paid off.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Phil Coulter wants to listen to his voice one more time
0:19:49 > 0:19:52before deciding if he's done enough to earn a place on stage
0:19:52 > 0:19:55alongside Damien McGinty at tonight's concert.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Well, the ball's in his court.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01I just need to gauge how seriously he's taking it
0:20:01 > 0:20:03cos if he's not taking it seriously,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06well, then he needs to adjust his attitude.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07How you doing, Eibhin?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09This is it. Either he'll get the biggest gig of his life,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12or all his hard work will have come to nothing.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- Want to try it then? - Sure.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21When he started playing the songs, the music,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25I kept sort of thinking, "OK, you have to get this first note."
0:20:25 > 0:20:27# The... # I'm so sorry.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28I'm really terrified.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31'Then I missed the first note.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33'So everything playing through your head is,
0:20:33 > 0:20:34"Oh, my God, I messed everything up,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37"four weeks of preparation for nothing. Dear God, dear God!'
0:20:37 > 0:20:38# Though our memories will still... #
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- The memories.- Oh, sorry.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41# Though the memories will still... #
0:20:41 > 0:20:44'Messed up a few of the words, like added an it or an and,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46'and nothing really major.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48'I sort of can put that down to the nerves.'
0:20:48 > 0:20:49# It's a bright
0:20:49 > 0:20:53# Brand new day. #
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Yeah. OK.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I think you've done enough work now to convince me
0:20:58 > 0:20:59that I should give you a shot.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- All right?- Mm-hm.- OK. Good boy. - Thanks.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04Well done.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- Well?- I got it!
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I'm delighted for Eibhin. It just goes to show how hard work
0:21:15 > 0:21:18can really pay off, but for Conal
0:21:18 > 0:21:20the hard work is just about to start.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23I've got a message from Katy B.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25In just three weeks' time,
0:21:25 > 0:21:29City Of Culture will host the biggest Irish Traditional Music
0:21:29 > 0:21:31festival in the world - The Fleadh.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Over 400,000 people are due to pack out Derry's venues
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and I've arranged for Conal to play with the headline act.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41No pressure there, then!
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Cara Dillon is a wonderful Irish artist,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47and she wants you to join her, and her band
0:21:47 > 0:21:50for their big show on the last night of the festival.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Now this might be totally different to anything else you've ever done,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and it's going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of practise
0:21:56 > 0:22:01to be ready in time and be focused, but I am more than sure that you are
0:22:01 > 0:22:03capable of doing this.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- Are you up for the challenge, then, yeah?- Aye, definitely.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11It's going to be quite a quick turn around. He hasn't got that long
0:22:11 > 0:22:13to learn it. It's going to be serious hard graft for him,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15a lot of practise.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Practising can be really tough - I should know.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22So if you're struggling to keep going, here are some top tips.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28Dad always told me that practise makes perfect and I think that's
0:22:28 > 0:22:31probably the best advice I was actually given.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32And I think it does.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35John Mayer actually once said as well that he used to lock himself
0:22:35 > 0:22:38in his bedroom and just play guitar for hours and hours.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39I practise quite a lot,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41but I didn't ever see it as practise.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Being a teenager, you know, like,
0:22:42 > 0:22:44you want to rebel against what people are saying.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Like, if someone's going, "Make sure you practise,"
0:22:47 > 0:22:48and it just kind of makes you
0:22:48 > 0:22:50not really want to do it in a way.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51You'll play cos you love it,
0:22:51 > 0:22:55not cos you see it as a chore or something you have to do.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It's just cos you really enjoy it, and it's good for the soul as well.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17It's just a few hours before doors open for tonight's major
0:23:17 > 0:23:21City Of Culture concert featuring Phil Coulter, Damien McGinty
0:23:21 > 0:23:23and Eibhin... Yay!
0:23:26 > 0:23:29It's all got very real all of a sudden.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- Eibhin?- Yeah.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38You're going to do the second half of the second chorus...
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Phil is trusting Eibhin with a solo part
0:23:41 > 0:23:45on the two most important lines of the most important song.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47He really has to get this right.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51# There's a bright brand new day... #
0:23:51 > 0:23:55And during the sound check, someone is having trouble with their lines,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57and guess what, it's not Eibhin!
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- Stand here in the light. - Stand here in the light.
0:24:00 > 0:24:01Next!
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Want to try it again with the right words this time?
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Stand here in the light, it's a bright band new day...
0:24:07 > 0:24:09May our... Our voices will all unite.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10May our voices all...
0:24:10 > 0:24:13No, not may. Our voices will all unite.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14Our voices will all unite.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16But mixing up his words doesn't throw Damian.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17I hope Eibhin is taking note.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28It's a massive crowd and Eibhin's parents are there for support.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Ladies and gentlemen, welcome home Phil Coulter.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36As Phil begins his concert,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Eibhin is backstage with Damian getting some last minute advice
0:24:40 > 0:24:43So, enjoy it, because as Phil says to me when I was 14,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45it goes by in a heartbeat, and you might not believe it now
0:24:45 > 0:24:48when you're sitting there very scared before you go on stage,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50but trust me when you're finished and you're walking off
0:24:50 > 0:24:53and the people are going crazy, you'll wake up tomorrow morning,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56and you'll think to yourself, "Dang, did that really happen?"
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Have a good time, man, you've worked for it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01I think the future of Derry is in the hands of the young kids.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04and so I'm going to invite first of all Damian McGinty.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12And a young 14-year-old kid
0:25:12 > 0:25:15called Eibhin. A promising lad. Give him a shot.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18CROWD CHEERS
0:25:25 > 0:25:27# Well the planets are all aligning
0:25:27 > 0:25:30# And the future is brightly shining
0:25:30 > 0:25:35# For Derry our time has come at last
0:25:35 > 0:25:42# There's a bright brand new day that's coming
0:25:42 > 0:25:45# Step out of the darkness
0:25:45 > 0:25:48# And stand here in the light
0:25:48 > 0:25:54# There's a bright new day that's coming
0:25:54 > 0:26:00# Our voices will all unite
0:26:00 > 0:26:01# Sing it out
0:26:01 > 0:26:03# Sing it clear
0:26:03 > 0:26:08# Sing me a song the world can hear
0:26:08 > 0:26:14# It's a bright, brand new day
0:26:21 > 0:26:26ALL: # Our voices will all unite
0:26:26 > 0:26:29# Sing it out, sing it clear
0:26:29 > 0:26:33# Sing it so the world can hear
0:26:38 > 0:26:46# It's a bright, brand new day. #
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Wow! It's a standing ovation! Go Eibhin!
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Oh, brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
0:27:14 > 0:27:16You could hear his first two words he was a wee bit nervous,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and then when the crowd started getting along,
0:27:19 > 0:27:20he was like "Oh, God, what's going on here?"
0:27:20 > 0:27:23and then he blew everybody away. It's unbelievable.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24- Was it good? - Oh, you delivered, yeah.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27That's a good start. You are the age that Damian was
0:27:27 > 0:27:29when I heard him first, you know.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30That's the significance of that
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and it's like kind of handing the torch to a new generation
0:27:33 > 0:27:36because, like, I'll be long gone when you're up and doing,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39when you live up to your potential. Anyway, well done.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43- Cheers for that.- God bless. Thanks a lot. Take care.
0:27:43 > 0:27:44Next time on Hit the Stage
0:27:44 > 0:27:47singer Chloe gets to rock out with a band.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Pianist Darrel impresses me with his skills.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55What you talking about, they're not too good? That's amazing.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58And Conal prepares for the performance of a lifetime.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Your hands get sweaty, and your fingers are slipping.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd