Jesse Sludds Wins Inaugural Late Late Show Opening Act Competition Wexford teenager Jesse Sludds has been crowned the winner of the first-ever Late Late Show Opening Act competition, securing a significant opportunity in his emerging country music career. The 19-year-old full-time musician claimed victory on Friday, April 17, 2026, after performing Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” during the live final on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Sludds emerged triumphant from a field of five finalists following a combination of public vote, music industry jury vote and country music jury vote results. His win grants him two high-profile performance slots: opening for Grammy-winning artist Shania Twain at Limerick’s Thomond Park in July 2026 and performing on The Late Late Show Country Special in October 2026, hosted by Patrick Kielty. Upon hearing the results, Sludds expressed disbelief, telling host Patrick Kielty, “Oh wow, I did not expect that at all. And to suppose that I wasn’t going to do it because I didn’t think I was country enough!” He revealed he had initially hesitated to enter the competition but was encouraged by friends and family to participate. The judging panel, comprising singers Una Healy and Sandy Kelly, The Shires’ Ben Earle, and broadcaster Tom Dunne, praised Sludds’s performance throughout the competition. Healy described him as “extremely special,” Kelly called his voice “amazing,” Earle labeled him “a star,” and Dunne deemed his performance “sensational.” Sludds, who describes his musical style as blending pop, folk, and country influences, cited Gavin James, Tracy Chapman, and Ed Sheeran among his artistic inspirations. He has spoken about country music’s evolving nature, noting its storytelling tradition and genre-blending tendencies that attract new audiences while maintaining its core identity. The Late Late Show Opening Act competition was designed as a talent search to discover Ireland’s newest country music star, providing a platform for emerging artists to gain national exposure. Sludds’s victory marks the successful launch of this new initiative, which aims to support and promote homegrown musical talent in the country genre.
15