Blind auditions brought Wirral duo, The Mac Bros, into sharp focus as the singers got Rita Ora’s chair spinning to pass onto the next stage of BBC talent show, The Voice.
They took to the stage at the weekend hoping to impress Will.i.am, Tom Jones and Ricky Wilson, who were sitting in the famous red chairs with their backs to the performers, but it was Ora who was the one to give them the thumbs-up.
Callum McMorran and Ally MacDonald, both 24, have known each other for five years, having met after a gig performing original songs, but they admit that being on The Voice wasn’t part of their career gameplan.
Speaking exclusively to JMU Journalism, Callum said: “It’s not something we’d normally do, we did it for a laugh at first and we didn’t expect to get this far. It’s all become real now and we’re made up to have got this far.
“It was a pretty daunting experience, being on TV for the first time was enough and the judges added to that too.”
The pop-folk duo auditioned in Manchester and performed a mash-up of Bohemian Rhapsody, Johnny B. Goode and Oh My God – the final song being by judge Ricky’s band, The Kaiser Chiefs.
As she chose The Mac Bros by hitting the selection button, Rita Ora turned to fellow judge Will.i.am and said: “You have got to press it, they’re so good.”
Callum and Ally are used to performing in bars, pubs and clubs and the biggest crowd they have had to date was for was around 400 people at Liverpool’s Mathew Street Festival but now they’ve sung in front of millions. McMorran said: “It’s an honour to represent our home town on national television.”
The Mac Bros now proceed to the battle rounds, where coach, Rita Ora, will put them up against another team member to sing the same song together, though only one act will be chosen to continue to the live shows.
Al, from Wallasey, said: “I was brought up with bands like Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, that’s inspired my music taste. I also love Britpop bands like Oasis.”
Bebington-based Cal said his dad was a big influence for him growing up and listening to artists like John Martyn made him want to pick up a guitar and play.
Giving advice to other hopefuls that might be considering pursuing a music career, Cal said: “Give it your best and go with what you feel like doing, don’t let people try and change you. Just keep doing what you love and that’s all that matters really.”
On Friday this week they will be back in Liverpool as they have a special gig at Eric’s in Mathew Street, starting at 11pm with free entry.