Eleven acts are through to the Urban Quest Finals Concert on Saturday night after the judges struggled to choose just ten.
Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden delivered three touch downs through the 20 performances including opening rock duo Jack and Sam Weaver.
More than 1000 people turned out to support the young performers, aged between 11 and 18, at Casuarina Square.
The youngest finalist Kaiyah Chadwick, who’s in Year 6 at Marrara Christian College, wowed the audience with her rendition of Halleluja without backing music, while beatboxer Kane Bishop reverberated through the crowd.
Mark Holden will now work with the young singers in mentoring workshops to polish their performances ahead of the big night.
“It’s fantastic being up here,” Mark Holden said.
“But what I really looking forward to is working with each of the finalists and improving their performance.”
Urban Quest, organised by Mission Australia, hopes to raise awareness of youth homelessness in the Top End and expand homeless accommodation services.
In the Territory, up to 5000 people are homeless and more than one quarter are young people aged between 12 and 18 years.
The Urban Quest Finals Concert, which includes a performance by Deni Hines, starts at 7pm at the Darwin Entertainment Centre this Saturday, 2 April.
Tickets cost $17.50 per person or $50 per family of four, with all proceeds supporting Mission Australia to develop homeless services for young Territorians.
The 11 Urban Quest Finalists are:
Kaiyah Chadwich, 11, Leanyer
Peter Rautoke, 17, Palmerston
Casey Glennon, 16, Malak
Shaine Hawke, 13, Stuart Park
Gabrielle Wright, 16, Palmerston
Jianynne Anastacio, 16, Katherine
Tevita Moala, 16, Darwin
Kane Bishop, 15, Darwin
Leighton Kay-Mick, 13, Karama
John Micairan, 18 Palmerston & Flyod McDonald, 18, Karama
Sam & Jack Weaver, 17 & 14, Wagaman
For more on each of the performers visit facebook.com/MissionAust. To purchase tickets to the Urban Quest Finals Concert visit www.darwinentertainment.com.au.
