IT’S now or never for a Mandurah favourite who will be up against nine other Australian performers for the chance to support Bon Jovi.
Danny Bau is in the final ten in the hopes to be the opening act for the American band’s Because We Can tour in December as part of the Telstra Road to Discovery.
Just a few weeks out from the final decision and the nerves are still not getting to the 20-year-old.
“You have to maintain a certain level of confidence in this sort of competition,” he said.
“There are brilliant artists you’re up against and you just need to stay level minded.”
Bau is in the competition's Performance category, with Jon Bon Jovi himself selecting one person from Performance and one person from the Songwriter category to be his two opening acts.
The acoustic indie-pop rocker is also up for the chance to win a 12-month music mentorship package, including a return trip and showcase performance at the Americana Music Festival, local gigs in Australia and face to face time with some of the nation’s biggest music names “to teach you the ways”.
This prize is separate from the chance to perform for Bon Jovi, with Bau having the possibility of claiming both opportunities.
The singer/songwriter said this would be “extremely lucky” considering the diversity and talent of the other contestants.
“It’s hard to know what Bon Jovi are looking for; maybe they want the performers to be quite similar,” he said.
“But both prizes are awesome opportunities which open up to even more opportunities.
“If I had a choice between the two, I couldn't choose.”
Not a stranger to talent competitions, Bau has been a part of other contests including last year’s Players Bar Battle of the Bands.
However there is no doubt about it, this is has the most on offer for the young talent.
But that’s not what attracted Bau to the competition, entering the competition because he could sing his own music.
This is something which is becoming less common since the rise of shows such as X-Factor.
“This competition is based on the artist’s individual style or what they can do as a whole,” he said.
“Other competitions X-Factor and Idol will not necessarily manipulate the contestant but change their style and make them sing covers.
“This is purely original which is who I am.”
Bau will spend his last two weeks before the decision in the October 30 competition in Melbourne, celebrating with friends and family on how far has come in the contest.
