The famous 90s performers who encouraged The Voice’s Darren Constable to audition

The Voice’s Darren Constable has been performing gigs since he was 19 years old, and a few decades later he’s ready to put his experience to the test on national television.

The musician first started working in Adelaide. During his young gun years, he performed alongside some incredible bands who he tells TV Week motivated his go-getter attitude.

“The other great bands we were working with at the time also kept me on my toes to be the best I could,” remembers Darren.

“I guess that was the beginning of setting new goals as a singer, and they came in stages as I learned to run with the pack. I already knew then that I would be doing this for the rest of my life.”

The singer has performed alongside iconic bands like The Angels and Billy Thorpe, who inspired his musical journey.

However, the live music scene’s heyday came to a sorry end when pokies were introduced at venues. It was a huge blow for Darren, who could no longer perform as often, and other bands began to move overseas.

“When I started in ’88, the scene was thriving, live music was supported everywhere, and there was a lot of work,” says Darren.

“When pokies were introduced in the ’90s, the scene changed as many venues renovated to accommodate machines and often used the space where the stage sat.”

Decades later, Australia has seen a music revival, which left Darren excited to reconnect with his roots.

“Now though, I see live music returning more and the support is strong, many of those same venues have a balance to accommodate live music again, it came full circle, I guess,” he tells TV Week.

While the iconic bands who inspired Darren over the years have always pushed him to try new things with his music, it was ultimately his loving wife, Maria, who urged him to audition for Keith Urban, Jessica Mauboy, Rita Ora and Guy Sebastian.

He decided to give it a go because he felt TV would be an incredible opportunity after years of experience touring Australia and the world.

“My wife Maria and I returned from living in Dubai in 2017, and we were watching the show, Maria said ‘You should do this!’ after some thought, I said, ‘Sure, why not, it’s a whole new avenue, and it looks like fun!’,” he says.

“I’ve performed all around Australia and other countries around the world, but to reach people in their homes through TV is a great opportunity.”

As for the judge he wants to turn for him the most, it’s Keith Urban.

“I have to say I have always loved Keith’s energy as a performer. He’s a great singer/songwriter and a ripper guitarist, so Keith Urban,” muses Darren.