Some of Ayrshire’s most talented musicians will come together on the same stage for the first time.
Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall and X Factor semi-finalists MacDonald Brothers will headline the one-off show at the Gaiety Theater next Friday.
Surprisingly, it’s the first time both acts have performed together even though it’s been over a decade since their television fame.
Jeremy Levif from Prestwick, who reached last year’s semi-finals on The Voice, and Blair Gilmour from Irvine (semi-finalist on The Voice Kids in 2020) will also appear on the star-studded show.
It’s all part of a ‘one night only’ concert that is hailed as a unique celebration of the ‘Ayrshire Lads’.
Brian MacDonald, 35, said: “It’s quite amazing to think that all this time has passed and we’ve never performed together.
“We’ve gotten to know people like Jai quite well over the years and he’s even recorded in my home studio.
“But it has been necessary until now for us all to be on the same stage.
“So when the opportunity arose to do this concert, we jumped at it.”
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Brother Craig, 36, added: “Time flies and it’s amazing to think it’s been 16 years since we’ve been on the X Factor.
“Over the years Ayrshire have done very well on these shows and that in itself is something worth celebrating.
“We loved the idea of this show because it’s an opportunity to bring everyone together under one roof.
“In many ways, it’s a surprise that it hasn’t happened sooner, but we didn’t have to think twice.”
The Macs rose to fame in 2006 when they felt the weekly wrath of Simon Cowell on their way to a fourth-place finish when the X Factor was at its height.
Jai, who won BGT 11 years ago, has also enjoyed a successful post-show career and hopes to return to his roots.
He said: “Ayrshire has produced an incredible amount of talent over the years and the region has a very special record on these shows when you think about it.
“It’s going to be a fun night and it’s great that we can do it in our home theater.”
The show’s producer, Edd Holloway, added: “All the guys are extremely talented and have done very well on their various television shows.
“But I thought…why not make a show that celebrates their talent right now? Because what you see on TV doesn’t always 100% reflect who they are.
“They all come from this little radius, from Ayr to Tarbolton, from Prestwick to Irvine, it’s pretty incredible when you think about it.
“The audience is in for a treat and we look forward to packing out the Gaiety and having a true celebration of Ayrshire.”
Several guest stars will also appear on the show, hosted by comedian Des Clarke.
Tickets, priced between £18 and £26, are available now at the Gaiety Box Office.
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George Holan is chief editor at Plainsmen Post and has articles published in many notable publications in the last decade.
