Wicklow group in final of hunt for Ireland’s greatest cover

WICKLOW TOWN’S very own ‘Perfect Friction’ have reached the national final in the search for Ireland’s greatest cover version.

The Le Crunch Apple of My Eye Song Contest received hundreds of entries from across the country but the competition has now been whittled down to five bands after judges picked who they wanted to see go forward to the National Final taking place in Whelan’s tonight, Wednesday, March 14.

‘Perfect Friction’s’ as Gaeilge version of ‘All I Want’ by Kodaline ensured they were one of the five that have made it to the final.

The band formed in early 2012 when five young musicians, who had been playing traditional Irish music sessions together in Wicklow town, decided to enlist the services of a talented vocalist and put a new sound on the road.

The band’s music ranges from high-energy trad sets with a full range of instruments to pop and rock songs tastefully arranged with a trad theme. The band is made up of Louise Kelly on lead vocals; Debbie Byrne on accordion, backing vocals and Irish dancing; Laura Callaghan on guitar, banjo and backing vocals; Courtney Cullen on fiddle, whistle and flute; Lottie Cullen on uilleann pipes, concertina and fiddle and Robbie Walsh on bodhran and percussion.

The five finalists will perform two tracks live at the final in front of judges Jess Kavanagh from BARQ , songwriter Jack O’Rourke and JOEshow presenter, Paddy McKenna. A top prize of €1500 and a slot at Independence Music and Arts Festival are up for grabs.