The 2011 winner of Britain’s Got Talent loves visiting the city and its many historic attractions as a tourist. So the Ayrshire-born musician can’t wait to have the opportunity to see Stirling again when he headlines the free festive extravaganza this Sunday (Nov 18).
Jai said: “I genuinely really love coming to Stirling. I used to have a friend at uni there and she would get mad at me as whenever I came to visit or gig it was always during the holidays when she was away.
“So I ended up doing all the tourist things in the city, including the castle, and it was absolutely brilliant.
“I came back down the road and told my friend’s granny, Agnes, who said she’d never been to Stirling, so I said ‘we’re going for tea and scones’ and we went back up for a day trip with her and my pal’s brother, which was quite funny.
“Stirling is just a really lovely place, particularly all its architecture, the river nearby and the fact there is a castle right there in the middle of it. I’m really looking forward to coming back and i’s my only Scottish Christmas lights switch-on this year so it will be great to perform here.
Jai triumphed in season five of Britain’s Got Talent, hitting the right notes with the public and the judging panel with a string of stunning live performances.
Those in attendance at the family Christmas Lights Switch On event this weekend will be treated to Jai’s incredible vocals, which won him the affection of the nation, along with a selection of Christmas classics.
He said: “I will do a lot from my first album – Believe – and then I’ll maybe chuck in a few pop songs. I’ve already recorded a Christmas single this year for an Ayrshire hospice - ‘Oh Holy Night’ - so I’ll probably sing that.
“I will try to include an upbeat Christmas one as well. Stepping into Christmas by Elton John is one I like and have sang before so I might bring that one out again.
“My music is a crossover with some slow ballad numbers but because everyone is cold at this time of year I like to perform some faster ones to get a bit of movement, rather than everyone just standing and getting freezing!”
Jai added: “I love Christmas. We’ve got loads of kids in my family so it’s really nice just watching them and seeing the whole build-up and it makes this time of year more magical.”
The 32-year-old is part of a packed line-up in Stirling this weekend which will have something to suit everyone’s taste.
On the main stage, Ariana Grande tribute act, ‘Simply Ariana,’ fronted by the multi-talented Gemma Lamont, will bring the music and magic of superstar Ariana to Stirling.
Up and coming musician Tommy McGuire will also be keeping the crowds entertained with his Paolo Nutini influenced styles, fresh from recent gigs at some of Glasgow’s finest venues such as King Tut’s and The Classic Grande.
Elsewhere in the city centre, the talented young people from the Big Noise Orchestra will entertain crowds, while a second stage on Friars Street will showcase upcoming local bands and musicians.
Jai will also be back in Stirling next year (Jun 5) when he will take to the stage at the Albert Halls alongside G4 frontman Jonathan Ansell for the nationwide Les Musicals Live Concert Tour. And if his schedule wasn’t busy enough, he’s also attempting to branch out into acting.
He said: “Coming into next year, I have stand-alone shows and then I’m on tour with Jonathan Ansell who was in G4 from X-Factor.
“In between that I’ve been working on acting and doing a lot of acting courses to try to break into that world. I’ve been out to America a few times working on different things, some music, some acting.”
Stirling’s festive celebrations officially kick-off at 2pm on Sunday (Nov 18), when Santa and his reindeer depart from outside the Albert Halls for their parade around the city centre.
Capital Scotland will keep everybody entertained with festive tunes from the foot of King Street from 2.10pm.
As well as competitions and giveaways with the Capital Scotland presenters, there will be live music performances throughout the afternoon right up until the Christmas Lights Switch on at 5pm, before Jai will keep the party going until 5.40pm.