Rochdale singer's sights set on finals

Lewis Brannigan

A talented singer/songwriter from Rochdale has made it through to the area finals of a prestigious music competition.

Lewis Brannigan, 21, from Norden is now preparing for a performance that could change his life.

In September Rochdale Online reported that Mr Brannigan was getting ready for the regional finals of Open Mic UK 2010. The regional’s took place last weekend and Mr Brannigan’s performance of ‘Cry Me a River’ by Michael Buble and Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ wowed the judges.

Open Mic UK 2010 is a national talent competition which searches for the UK’s best singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres who perform either covers or original material.

If Mr Brannigan is successful at the area finals, to be held in Manchester early in December, he will progress to the national final at the O2 arena in London where a recording contract is up for grabs.

Speaking about the moment he was told by the judges he was through to the next stage Mr Brannigan said: “I was over the moon because the standard was so high and I took a risk with the song twist so I am really glad it paid off.”

When asked what winning would mean to him Mr Branningan said: “I’m not thinking about winning I am just concentrating on making my next performance epic so I get to the O2 arena for the final.”

This is not the first time the Norden lad has been involved in a competition of this nature having last year beaten off thousands of hopefuls making it to ITV’s X-Factor Boot Camp stages.

The keen singer also writes his own songs, titles include: “Start over again,” “Troubles,” and “Love is.”

With musical influences including Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra and Jamile Cullum, Rochdale could have another star on the rise.