I’m going to get this bit out of the way first….
Ryan Dolan has a face that I could happily punch and, like Roberto, he could have a disconnect with his audience because they take an instant dislike to him.
However, having said that it’s the song that matters, so they say, and this is a decent one – but it’s not all its cracked up to be. Ryan knows where the camera is – but what strikes me about this is how RTE have chosen to stage this – It has many many Irish stereotypes in it, Celtic crosses on the background, the old war drums being beaten by shirtless male dancers etc..etc.. – Imagine a celtic version of Sistem who backed Luminita Anghel all those years ago and you have something like this.
Back to the voice, to me his voice seems to be a tad screechy, and that’s just how he actually sings but its grates me by the end of the three minutes. But, and its a major but, He is qualifying with a song thats not half bad and been performed reasonably well – and thats all you need when you have a better than odds on chance of getting through. Its not setting the world on fire… yet…. but it has potential.
If anyone says “Stephen Gatley” at the end of this performance, will they kindly leave the stage….
I’ve just been chatting to Ryan Dolan’s mum, Cynthia, and she’s none too happy with your critique of her son’s first rehearsal. Her words were “yes, well I could happily punch his face in”. Perhaps more alarming is the fact that she’s shortly leaving for Dublin airport, destination: Malmo. Her parting shot was “I’ll find that feckin bastard if i have to visit every feckin cheese shop in town”. So don’t say you haven’t been warned!