Music
16 Jun 10

Ryan Sheridan at The Academy

Industry professionals and members of the media packed into the Dublin Academy last night to see new young Irish up-and-comer Ryan Sheridan.

Sheridan, a so far unsigned singer songwriter from Monaghan, has garnered attaention after winning an international competition to play a slot at next month’s Benicassim Festival in Spain. He beat no less than 3,226 other entries from around the globe before playing a London showcase in front of a panel that included Mean Fiddler’s Vince Power - who also founded Benicassim - and a team from Universal Records.

Though he got a start at the industry at aged 16, when he toured the world with Riverdance, Sheridan has been a solo artist for the past few years, earning a living as a busker in tourist hot spots such as Temple Bar, where his energetic performances pulled in the crowds. According to Olympia Theatre manager Brian Whitehead, who has taken Sheridan under his wing in recent months, "When I saw him busking, there was a crowd of 100 people watching – he had them in the palm of his hand. He is brilliant."

Whitehead's support for Sheridan is now such that he is determined to help the singer make a name for himself in and outside of Ireland, prompting him to organise last night's showcase, "Over the years, working with MCD, I've had hundreds of people approach me with CDs and so on, and I've never been inspired before to get involved. But when I saw this guy, he blew me away," he said.

Sheridan made the most of last night, playing a number of his own songs, including 'Machine' the song that helped win him the place at Benicassim, and a few covers of songs by other artists, including 'Kiss' by Prince, and 'Folsom Prison Blues' by Johnny Cash. Proving himself to be an energetic showman, who’s used to working crowds of people, Sheridan appeared to enjoy the show as much as his increasingly lively audience, who made the most of the friendly and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the show.

Along with the industry types, an unexpected celebrity fan in the form of former Liberty X-er and all-round glamour girl Michelle Heaton was in the audience. Heaton introduced Sheridan at the start of the show and later took to the stage to encourage everyone there to help his career by spreading the word about this new Irish talent.

Happy to oblige, love.