Cranberries star Dolores O’Riordan joins The Voice

The lead singer of the Cranberries, Dolores O’Riordan will be the new judge on the Irish version of the TV singing contest The Voice. O’Riordan replaces the outgoing Sharon Corr, who wants to spend more time on her own music career.Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries

O’Riordan is a big name in Irish music after enjoying huge success with the Cranberries in the 1990s. They sold over 40 million records worldwide.

The band split in 2003 but returned in 2009. They have a cult following and Dolores is one of the most famous Irish singers around the world.

The would-be singers will no doubt be hoping they get selected by Dolores to be on her team. She has experience of touring all around the world and has written some of the most played songs of the last 20 years. When the Cranberries released Zombie, a protest song about the violence in Ireland, it went to number one in seven countries including USA and Australia.

‘I’m out to find the best star in the country’

Dolores is certainly taking her role as a judge and mentor on the show seriously. When asked about her new job, she said: “It’s great to be back in Ireland and to be taking part in one of Ireland’s most popular TV shows at same time. I know a good voice when I hear one and I am out to find the best star in the country.”

Dolores’ experiences will be invaluable to her team as she can pass on her knowledge and expertise in everything from dealing with pre-show nerves to matching the right song with the right performer.

The format of The Voice is that the four judges sit with their backs to the stage while they listen to an act audition, so they make their decisions on the quality of the performer’s singing voice, and not their physical appearance.

Dolores will line up on the judging panel alongside Kian Egan, formerly of Westlife, English R’n’B star Jamelia and former Blizzards frontman Bressie. The show will be broadcast later this autumn.

Read more on Dolores O’Riordan and the Cranberries

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By Andrew Moore

Andrew Moore is a writer for Irish Music Daily and Ireland Calling. His favourite Irish music bands are the Dropkick Murphys and the Pogues.