Pat's Factor returns

Forget Jedward, Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon! Why bother with the X Factor when you can have Pat's Factor instead? Preparations are underway for the school's second Pat's Factor Fundraiser with an amazing night's entertainment promised. Voices are tested, instruments tuned and dancing muscles stretched. The Pat's Factor will be held once again in the Cavan Crystal Hotel on the December 4. No tickets will be sold on the night so make sure to get one well in advance. Last year's winners Tungsten and the Lightbulbs have entered once again. The four-piece band showed great talent and diversity last year, wowing the audience with 'Californication' by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and 'Blitzkreig Bop' by The Ramones. Although they narrowly missed getting through to the second round of the final on the audiences vote, they were saved by the judges as their "wild card", and came back strongly, switching singers, instruments and even dress sense for their second number. We caught up with one of the members, Connor, ahead of this year's final and asked him how he had got involved last year. "Cathal, Feargal and Fiachra had already been playing together for some time. They asked me to join and sing for them," says Connor Hayes, singer and saxophonist. "After we played our song in the final's second round, we thought it had gone really well but the standard had been so high overall that we weren't expecting anything. It was such an amazing surprise when our name was announced as the winner. After we got over the initial shock, it was satisfying to know that all our hard work had paid off. This year, there's a lot more pressure on us but we just want to go out and put on a great show." After whittling 20 acts down to the last ten, the Pat's Factor finals promise to be even better than last year. With familiar competitors from last year like The Yellow Snowmen trying their hand again and Tungsten and the Lightbulbs trying to defend their title, the competition promises to be fierce. One of last year's beat boxers, Precious Okpadje also has returned to the competition, although this time around he is singing, joined by guitarist Josh McClorey. Newcomers Two and a Half Men and The Projects are out to impress, each with their own distinctive brand of music. Daniel O'Neill is out to display his guitar and vocal skills, while singers Bradley Denny and a boyband made up of Padraig Sexton, Kein McKiernan and Daniel Mulligan promise to show off their great voices. However, Colin Burke and Michael Hatton and Cormac Teevan plan to surprise us all, not letting anyone know what their act will consist of. This year's mentors are: Raymond Hackett, Orla Murphy and Anne Burke. Raymond is mentoring The Yellow Snowmen, Tungsten and the Lightbulbs, Two and a Half Men and The Projects. Raymond says: "I'm very happy with the progress all my acts are making and I hope to replicate the success I had last year with Tungsten." Orla Murphy is mentoring Padraig Sexton, Daniel Mulligan and Cian McKiernan; Colin Burke and Michael Hatton and Cormac Teevan. "It's going to be a very entertaining and exciting night due to a calibre of talent involved and also the variety. I am confident this year that one of my acts will take the highly coveted title," predicts Orla. First timer, Anne Burke is mentoring: Precious Okpadje and Josh McClorey; Bradley Denney and Daniel O' Neill. "This is my first time mentoring this year and I am very excited, I am very impressed with the acts I am working with. Precious has experience from last year but my other acts are doing this for the first time but I think there is definitely enough talent there to win it." Last year's MC, James Knight, will be taking up the mic again and will surely present as competently and professionally as before. Sound will once again rest in the skilled hands of Conor Smith. The judging panel this year will again be made up of the three mentors and two more surprise outside judges. With these capable personas in charge of the evening's proceedings, a great night is ensured. Tickets are going fast and with a maximum capacity of 400 in the venue this year, make sure you secure some for yourself and your friends soon. They are available from Easons, Pat's Factor committee members: James Knight, Marie Henry and Pauric Barry and from the St. Patrick's College office. Tickets are priced at €8 each.