A Dublin busker said that playing with his heroes Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan on Grafton Street was a dream come through.
The trio have struck up a friendship with the lads even asking the up and coming performer to come to their secret gig in Mullingar. Jacob Koopman sets up most weekends on the busy Dublin street but was shocked when the two stars came up behind him.
Read more: WATCH: Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan make surprise appearance at busking session on Grafton Street
He couldn't believe it when the 'Someone You Loved' singer knew the words to his own original song and later followed him on Instagram. Jacob told Dublin Live that he hopes to be able to sell out stadiums with his concert in The Sound House taking placer later this month.
He said: "I was just told by my booking agent that they had a surprise for me. I was going to be busking anyway. I busk most weekends.
"They didn't tell me anything about Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan showing up. I didn't know what the fuss was about. Even the City Council was involved in clearing up the space just for me to busk so I was wondering what was going on.
"I knew it was a big deal then . I felt quite nervous but then again I realised that it was my element. There was a huge crowd and I was asking them what they were doing there.
"I felt like I needed to expect something that day. I felt a bit nervous coming up to the hour. My throat started getting really dry and I actually bought a tub of honey in Dunnes and put it into a newsagent's cup of tea .
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"I'm half Dutch, half Indonesian. I come from a small island called Bali. That's where I grew up. I've been here for nine years. It's almost ten years of busking on Grafton Street and just around Dublin.
"I do all the busking to fund my original music. The dream is to have a whole stadium singing back your songs. That was always my dream as a child.
"I was just playing my normal set when the lads appeared. I started trying to get the crowd singing with 'Molly Malone'. Then, I was just playing 'Wicked Game' and there were bouncers. They were clearing the space for security.
"They were telling me to play an original song. I was a little bit nervous because sometimes I wouldn't have as much confidence playing my own songs, particularly in front of these legends."
Lewis Capaldi took particular interest in Jacob's work, making sure to get his details before having to head.
Jacob said: "Somehow, Lewis Capaldi copped onto the lyrics and was singing it. I didn't know how he knew the lyrics. It was an honour. I was completely in shock.
"The thing is I don't know many of Niall Horan's solo stuff. Lewis came up afterwards trying to ask me if I knew any of Niall Horan's stuff. I had to say that I actually don't and that I just knew Lewis' songs. He was bursting out laughing.
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"We sang 'Before You Go' and then for Niall's songs I just gave them the spot and they took it away. They were kind of in a rush afterwards because people started to notice that they were there.
"Their security were getting a bit more alert. They gave me a hug and a high five and just left. For me that was it. I had made it. Lewis actually gave me his phone to put in my Instagram username. It's insane. He follows me now.
"Niall Horan was probably salty that I didn't know any of his songs! They invited me to their secret gig in Mullingar but I was going on holidays to Rosslare with my girlfriend."
You can listen to Jacob's singles here and follow his Youtube here.
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