Double trouble came to Castlebar this week in the shape of winged runner wearing, uber-blonde quiffed twins as John and Edward Grimes, who throughout the X Factor series became affectionately know as Jedward, kicked off their own nationwide sell-out tour in Castlebar on Tuesday evening. Before they before bounded onto the stage in the Royal Theatre they took some time out to speak to the Mayo Advertiser.
The energetic twins from Dublin greeted me in unison and overtly began to spill how “so excited” they are to have their own tour, which is “the coolest”. In fact, much like their hit ‘Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby )’, Jedward describe most things as “cool” — their fans the “Jedettes and Jedmaniacs”, their songs, the possibility of TV presenting work, and their appearance at Christmas in panto.
Their tour, according to the twins, features “lots of up-tempo tracks” which means that fans have to “stand up for the whole show” and dance to great pop hits including ‘Bye- Bye Baby’, ‘I Want Candy’, ‘All the Small Things’, ‘Jump Around’, and ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’.
When asked about the phenomenal support they receive from their fans, many of whom queued outside the Royal Theatre for hours pre-show — even though it is a seated event, Jedward said, “It is crazy that they are all in competition to be the number one fan”, and that every fan “should chill and realise that they are all as cool as each other.”
The 18-year-olds, who have just finished the X Factor tour, are also excited about supporting Westlife in Croke Park during the summer, but a performance which they would love to do is with Eminem, who is coming to Ireland for Oxegen and according to Jedward to sing ‘The Real Slim Shady’ with him would be — you’ve guessed it — “cool!”.
As for their trademark quiffs the boys gave away top tips for fans to achieve the look synonymous with them: wash, blow dry, then put in loads of mousse or product and stick it up!
Their infectious wit, charm, and can-do personas is the essence of what entertainment should be about — good, honest fun, and after a highly amusing few minutes interviewing the twins they may have just found themselves another Jedette!
