Entertainment

Heartbroken Irish boy who failed to get into Music college stuns all with viral street performance

WE THINK a certain Irish Music college is going to be regretting losing out on this student...

A young Leaving Certificate student based in Dublin had his heart set on going to Music college this September-- pandemic or no pandemic-- but sadly, life had other ideas.

18-year-old Martin McDonnell has undeniable talent for performing, with his Facebook page chock-ful of impressive covers of popular songs, but unfortunately he did not gain enough points in his Leaving Cert to get into the college of his dreams.

Undaunted, Martin decided to take his mind off things by performing an outdoor concert for his neighbours, setting himself up with a mic, amp-- and a ready audience.

A video of the impromptu socially-distanced gig shows Martin performing a gorgeous cover of 'Lose' by breakthrough band NIKI-- and the young musician got a huge boost when the video was shared by American music label 88Rising.

"LOSE" neighborhood concert in Dublin, Ireland 🌍🎤♥️ @McdonnellMusic pic.twitter.com/Utz7cxzGAN

— 88rising (@88rising) September 8, 2020

Martin's stunning performing has now been viewed almost 170,000 times, garnering the young singer thousands of new fans worldwide, with one person writing "That was so beautiful I'm in tears now!"

"That was beautiful," another person added, while another said "I got goosebumps when I see this cute moment!"

Speaking to Dublin Live about the rollercoaster few days, Martin said he decided to play "a small gig for my neighbours the other evening when I got my Leaving Cert results."

"I played a song called 'Lose' by NIKI, and her label 88Rising contacted me and they loved it.

"They asked to share it on their Twitter and it went viral..."

"I didn't get my place in college... it was the difference between a H5 and a H6.

"I'm gutted..."

The support from his new fans certainly helped to raise his spirits, however, with one person writing: "Martin with your voice you don't need points. You are a star and I wish you every success.

"You've a voice better than Ed Sheeran and that is hard to do!"