Pop impresario seeks girl band hopefuls

Harcourt Street was a sea of false tan, short skirts and stilettos this morning when Louis Walsh launched his search for a new…

Harcourt Street was a sea of false tan, short skirts and stilettos this morning when Louis Walsh launched his search for a new girl band.

Auditions for the five-member group began at The Pod at noon and more than 400 people were in the queue when the doors opened.

"We're looking for talent," Louis Walsh said before the auditions started. "Undiscovered talent, young, with a good attitude. We're looking for everything. We don't want good, we want great."

The band will be managed by Walsh and Westlife's Kian Egan. The Sligo singer's fiancée, Hollyoaksactress Jodi Albert, will be among the hopefuls but won't be getting any special treatment, Louis Walsh said.

Rosanna Egan (19) from Killaloe, Co Clare was the first singer to audition. She began queuing at 6.30 am, but she left nothing to chance by taking a quick peek at 4am in case any overnighters beat her to the spot.

Her version of Rihanna's Umbrellagot her a call-back. "I'm absolutely delighted. Can't stop shaking. First one up, absolutely nerve-wrecking altogether. I just could imagine falling flat on my face of hitting a dud note."

The auditions for 15-25 year-olds continue until 6pm today and tomorrow with the lucky ones being called back on Sunday.

Alison Healy

Alison Healy

Alison Healy is a contributor to The Irish Times