Though it probably goes without saying, reality talent shows are a great way to discover new and hidden talent from all around the world.
While we all have our own favorite programs, each one has a lot of the same things in common. At the beginning, would-be contenders audition for a panel of judges to demonstrate their talents and skills. On some shows like The Voice, the added twist here is that all the auditions are blind and the judges don’t get to see them until they turn around.
In other shows like Britain’s Got Talent, the surprising part of a person’s story sometimes comes from their background.
That was definitely the case for one incredible performance from 2017.
As the audition begins, a man walks out and introduces himself to the judges. His name is Tokio Myers and he’s a 32-year-old man from London.
As he explains to the judges, he grew up in a rough neighborhood in the city and found music as an outlet. More specifically, he started playing piano when he was about nine years old. From that time onward, Myers knew that the piano would be a major passion in his life.
And he wasn’t wrong, because it brought him all the way to the world stage!
After giving his introduction, Myers is ready to play.
Because his introduction and backstory were so interesting, everyone in the crowd is unsure what to expect. As soon as he starts playing, it’s clear that Myers has incredible control, technical ability and soulfulness when he plays.
The song he starts out on is the famous classical composition Claire de Lune by Debussy, a beautiful and somber song that is definitely moving.
Still, he takes things to a new level in the second half of the performance.
Just when the audience thinks that the song will be entirely classical, he starts working in a more contemporary tune.
The song he mixes in is “Bloodstream” by Ed Sheeran, though he adds an addition twist as well. Aside from playing on the piano, Myers also has a drum pad and sampler plugged in next to him while he plays as well—and he plays on that as well so seamlessly.
By the end of the performance, the song has an incredible, driving energy that is so different from the beginning!
When it’s finally over, Myers gently stops playing and the crowd erupts with applause!
After that, Myers patiently waits for his feedback from the judges.
Though it probably goes without saying, everyone in the room was blown away by his performance! The judges tell him that he had their full attention from the very first note, and that the show has never seen an audition quite like his before.
While it’s true that there have been other great pianists on shows like these before, few people have had the powerful backstory as well as the interesting formal innovation he showed at the end as well. When it’s all over, Myers has his four yeses and he’s onto the next round!
Congratulations to Tokio Myers on this inspiring performance! Watch the full thing in the clip below:
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