The Scouse pianist has become a national name in just a few months
Brad Kella is “struggling to fathom” his “unbelievable” year. Six months ago, Brad first appeared on our TV screens in The Piano as the Channel 4 show headed to Lime Street Station for its quest to find the nation’s next star pianist.
The 23 year-old from Bootle wowed viewers of the second season with his original piece New Beginnings and not just because it was a moving piece of classical music. The title referred to Brad himself, who grew up in the care system and admitted he and his brother Aron would roam the streets “causing mayhem”.
In the first episode which was shown in May, Brad said: “When I was growing up, we had no routine. Never went to school. I used to just roam around the streets all day until about 10.30/11pm at night, causing mayhem.
“I got put in foster care when I was seven years old with my twin brother. I was so confused. I remember hanging onto the railings outside my foster parents’ [house] and I didn’t want to go in.”
It all changed when Eve and Frank Kilmartin entered their lives, becoming their foster parents and helping him buy his first piano. Brad said: “What they did for me and my brother was absolutely everything. They’d make sure we were up to start in school, routine, getting up early, going to bed early. They gave me absolutely everything and more.”
Eve and Frank were pivotal in the start of an unlikely musical career, with Eve making up the difference with his care budget to buy a piano. He said: “I didn’t start playing piano until I was 14. Eve put some money in to get a piano. From that moment, my life changed.”
Brad fell in love with classical music from then on. Brad faced another struggle at the age of 18 when he faced homelessness and had to stay in a hostel with girlfriend Abbie Lewis and their daughter Phoebe.
Despite the struggles of this time, Brad argued this period was crucial as he began playing on the public pianos in Liverpool ONE. Someone filmed him doing so and after the clip went viral, the producers of The Piano got in touch with him.
“I’ve always manifested where I am right now. I truly believe that one day I was going to do this. I was going to create some amazing music. It was just a matter of when and where. Being homeless with my partner and my daughter, in a way, that was a blessing in disguise because I used to play public pianos.
“That’s when Channel 4 spotted me on a video on the public pianos. If I wasn’t in that situation, this would never have come round with the opportunity of going on the show.”
After his performance at Lime Street, Brad was selected by pianist Lang Lang and popstar Mika to go through to the final, a concert at Aviva Studios in Manchester, with the chance to be awarded performance of the night by the pair.
His moving performance, which he dedicated to his foster parents, had the audience in tears. Lang Lang said: “Brad had a unique moment. I had tears in my eyes.”
Brad was flooded with support after the finale in June, gaining a new legion of fans in and outside of Liverpool. Reflecting on how his life had changed after the show aired, Brad told the ECHO he was still processing everything that had happened to him but wanted to use his platform for good. He said: “I can’t fathom it, I really can’t.”
“I feel like kids in care, they’ve been through circumstances out of their control. And if they can get a bit of extra attention, a bit of help, a bit of extra guidance, I think that’s what they need. Eve and Frank gave me that extra guidance and where I’ve ended up now, it’s unbelievable.”
Since the series was broadcast, the pianist has released two new singles and headlined a sell-out show at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall last month. Brad will be appearing on our TV screens again with a festive special of The Piano broadcast on Christmas Day. Next year also looks promising with the musician.
Take That star Gary Barlow announced the Scouser will be joining him on his nationwide Songbook Tour in 2025. A video posted on Gary’s Instagram page showed him calling Brad to ask whether he would join him as a support artist.
The Songbook Tour with Gary and Brad will be performed across the country including in Liverpool. There will be two live shows at The Empire Theatre on April 28 and 29 2025 from 7pm.