One Direction tribute band member Nathan Gregg aka Harry Styles
By Tina Calder PICS: Conor McCaughley
ONE Direction fans all over Northern Ireland are in for a treat.
A new tribute to the pop sensations is being created by Belfast entertainment company Diva Dolls Entertainment.
Having found their Harry Styles in 18-year-old performer Nathan Gregg, they are now on the search for the country’s answer to hunks Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson.
The Belfast-based 1D tribute will be performing all the band’s hits from Best Song Ever and Story of My Life to the Blondie cover One Way Or Another and The Undertones Teenage Kicks.
And Nathan, from Lisburn, says he’s looking forward to getting a little taste of the Harry magic.
“I was approached by Alex Jay who performs with and manages The Diva Dolls and some other acts in Belfast,” he said.
“The group was her idea and she had heard that people kept telling me I looked like Harry. There were even people who wanted to get pictures with me.
“I had seen The Diva Dolls perform and I liked how professional an outfit they were and how they were managed so I thought ‘why not give it a shot’.”
Luckily for Nathan he liked One Direction.
“I like One Direction’s style in how each of them dress. I also like their songs and as they are maturing so is their music, they seem to have got it just right” said Nathan
“It’s actually quite exciting to be part of something like this from inception and to have an active role in helping to chose my band mates.
“The combination needs to be good for us all to get along and work well together as me sure we’ll be spending quite a lot of time around each other.
“I really feel excited about what lies ahead, I can’t wait to get out there. Most people say I look like Harry but in addition to that I think our humour is similar. I’m a little bit cheeky too.”
Tribute act manager Alex Jay (left) said the search is ongoing for her Niall, Zayn, Liam and Louis but she won’t settle for second best.
“I’m searching for guys who can sing, age range between 18 and 26 who look similar to members of One Direction and who would like to be part of something fun,” she said.
“No experience is essential but they do need to have a good singing voice and vocal coaching and stage direction will be provided for them.
“There is no room for shyness though and they need to be able to communicate and have a good personality. It will take a hard working dedicated and determined person to fulfil any of these places.”
Already Alex has been inundated with requests to book the band.
“There are no other One Direction tributes in Northern Ireland to my knowledge,” she said. “Once people heard they got in touch to say what a super idea and some have even asked if they can book now to have the boys appear at their kids birthday party or in their club.
“I think there will be a lot of girls and boys, possibly even some mummies, who would be excited to be able to watch the boys perform a show and even meet them and get pictures and autographs with them.”
Alex hopes the new tribute will be on the road later this year.
“I am the founding member of a four piece girl group The Diva Dolls who perform at events and venues throughout Northern Ireland, Ireland, the UK and Europe” said Alex.
“We have closed shows for people like Tony Christie and Billy Ocean. We work hard and are like a family. I would expect nothing less for this new venture.”
If you think you can join Nathan (Harry Styles) as Northern Ireland’s answer to Niall, Zayn, Liam or Louis in The Direction log onto www.thedivadolls.co.uk to register or contact Alex on 07403929952.