A Liverpool John Moores student will take to the ECHO Arena stage tonight (March 8) to support three-time Grammy award-winner Ne-Yo in a ‘performance of a lifetime’.
Niall Sexton was yesterday named winner of Radio City’s Your Big Gig contest, beating off stiff competition from four other acts.
The Broadcast and Media Production student impressed the judges with his entry, and then spent one week collecting as many votes as he could.
Each vote was worth £1 for the Cash for Kids charity, and Niall managed to raise an astonishing £2,501.
Niall had support from university friends who accompanied him through the Student Union with donation buckets, asking lecturers and students to donate.
Katie Harrison, Cash for Kids fundraiser, told JMU Journalism: “All of the finalists worked so hard in fundraising for Cash for Kids.
“Niall raised a fantastic amount for the charity. All of the money raised will be used to help sick and underprivileged children across Merseyside.
“We are all very excited for Niall to perform on stage at the ECHO arena as support for Ne-Yo and special guest Tulisa.
“It’s such a great opportunity to perform on the same stage on the same night as a Grammy award winning artist. Congratulations to Niall and I am sure he has a bright musical career ahead of him.”
Additional support was shown in his hometown of Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, where his mum had made it her goal to raise awareness of the competition through local press and the community whilst also collecting money in shops and clubs.
Niall’s primary school helped raise a further £172 by organising a ‘dress down’ day as a way of backing their former pupil.
The LJMU student was delighted when he heard the news yesterday.
He said: “I can’t speak, I’m so happy, I can’t believe I won.
“I’m so excited to perform at the Ne-Yo concert tomorrow night at the ECHO Arena; it’s a dream come true.
“A massive thank you to everyone who voted for me and a special thank you to my mum who has supported me and helped me raise money back in Ireland.”
Excited Ne-Yo fans will be treated to a performance from Niall of Bonnie Raitt’s classic hit ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’, which is the song that saw him sail into the final of the competition.
The other acts competing against Niall were R&B group MiC LOWRY, boy band The Valentine Brothers, urban group Click22 featuring Nikki Belle, and singer Jennifer Jewell.