RECAP | Brothers bring it Holmes, with singing siblings from Queensland shining on AUSTRALIAN IDOL

Australian Idol continued tonight with judges Harry Connick Jr, Meghan Trainor, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark searching for the country’s next global superstar.

All four judges were mesmerized by Perth student Angelina Curtis’ voice and piano playing skills as she performed Split Enz’s Message To My Girl. An astonished Harry said, “You’re five-fricken-teen years old. You are supposed to do it.”

With First Nations Australian Idol alumna Jessica Mauboy as his inspiration, music student Royston Sagigi-Baira, 23, traveled from Far North Queensland to audition for the judges. Singing I’m Not The Only One by Sam Smith, Meghan wowed by declaring “I only have one word for you, and that word is SLAYYYY”, before celebrating with the latest golden ticket recipient.

Gold Coast-based brothers Angus and Bobby Holmes auditioned separately, but after learning the pair were related, the judges asked them to perform together. Singing Anyway You Want It by Journey with synchronized dancing, the brothers made the judges think they would be better suited for a band. Kyle said, “You were both great, but I think you’re better if I could put a rubber band around you both.” To give them a chance, both are granted a golden ticket.

Harry traveled to Newcastle to surprise Piper Butcher, 18, at her home and asked her to audition on the spot. Her impromptu performance of Radioactive by Imagine Dragons left Harry wanting more.

“I would buy it tomorrow. Your voice is amazing, and your time is dead. There are four of us judging, and I can assure you the other three will say exactly what I say and that’s… welcome to the top 50.”

Maya Weis, a 28-year-old yoga instructor from Victoria, left a lasting impression on Amy with her rendition of Little Mix’s Wings. “I’m obsessed with your mouth,” Amy said. “You have that Alanis Morrisette, Steven Tyler mouth that really opens and I just couldn’t stop looking at you. I was captivated. It’s so nice and refreshing when you have everything happening at once.” With all the judges listening and rocking with her performance, Maya secured a place in the next stage of the competition.

Some singers weren’t as successful in their auditions, with Brisbane writer Ali Morris failing to wow the judges with her sexual take on The Veronica’s Untouched. Despite her artist looks, Chenai Boucher also failed to impress all four experts when she sang My Immortal by Evanescence.

Aspiring crooner Charlie Check caused a stir as he refused to take Harry’s feedback, while charismatic singing teacher Kaitlyn Thomas wowed the judges with her female empowerment version of Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson and was awarded a golden ticket .

Ultimately it was Perth-based rugby player Taigh Wade, who turned to music after breaking his ankle. Despite Kyle saying he was “a bit rough around the edges”, the judges saw his raw talent when he performed Dancing On My Own by Calum Scott and gave him the chance to progress to the next stage of the improve competition.

See tonight’s audition highlights:

Golden ticket winners

Tomorrow night on Australian Idol: As the top 50 takes shape, the stakes have not been higher and everyone wants a golden ticket.

Australian Idol continues on Wednesday 19:30 on Channel 7 and 7plus