So, the votes have nearly all been counted and verified… who will be the sixth casualty of the X Factor 2011? Let’s take a look back at last nights performances…
The show begun with an elongated, dramatic introduction, which explained that this week’s theme was Movie Night (whatever happened to Big Band Week?), and it was also announced that this years final will take place live at Wembley Arena, which seems a very big leap from the safe studio bubble. However, it might show the media that the show still is popular, with up to 10,000 people in the audience.
After thinking there would be no more awkward dance routines, Dermot O’Leary (or, O’Leary…Dermot O’Leary, as he was announced) danced onto the stage with girls in golden Spanx suits – unnecessary, but amusing. The judges came on, with Tulisa and Louis holding hands, whilst Gary and Kelly looked on, professional and unfazed by their fellow judges united front.
To start the show, Craig Colton filled the death slot of going first by singing Bond theme ‘License to Kill’. The whole performance featured a full band, which complimented Colton’s strong vocal well. The song choice was, I thought, a suitable one – and Colton sung to his heart’s content… however, Tulisa and Louis stated they thought that song choice was too predictable for Colton – an obvious dig at Gary, rather than Colton himself. When will these judges learn to play nice…
Next up, was Janet Devlin, singing ‘Kiss Me’. Her vocals were stronger this week, and she managed to move around a bit without forgetting the words. However, the stage set-up was slightly ruined by the two extras posing as a couple on a bench, not dancing… just sitting there, with no light particularly shining on them. Strange. The comments were all positive, stating that Devlin is ‘back to her root’s…after less than average performances’. Louis, who has always been a fan, stated she had ‘natural Celtic charm’…like he does, maybe?
Moving on, was come-back girl Amelia Lily, who sung a powerful performance of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Think’. Her voice and attitude were perfect for the song, and she strutted around the stage with the confidence of an international performer, rather than a 16 year old newbie. The comments reflected her vocal talent, but again Tulisa commented that it was the wrong song choice for her, saying that ‘she, personally, didn’t know the song’, which doesn’t really mean it’s the wrong choice, just that Tulisa didn’t get it.
Misha B was next, and after being in the bottom two last week and also seeing that her birth mother has sold a story about ‘how much she misses her’, she’s had a tough week. An emotional pre-performance clip showed her and Kelly Rowland crying about their similar family situations, which was refreshing as it would allow the public to connect with Misha, and not just see her as a vocal talent, but as a person too – which was no doubt the aim of the clip. Her performance of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’ showed all of her emotion and energy, and her vocal was flawless. Gary stated that he would like to see ‘some of the old Misha B back’; but I feel that her performance was the real Misha B, rather than the slightly cocky singer she has been in the past.
The last of the groups were next. Little Mix performed ‘Don’t Let Go’ by En Vogue, and it was a far cry from their over-staged, poppy performances from the past. The girls were dressed in suits, or slutty school girl… whatever, and all of them got the show case the voices that they have – which turned out to all be fantastic. Their harmonies were spot on, and each girl showed they weren’t a spare part, and all deserved to be there. The judges raved the performances, with Kelly even stating that they ‘could be the best girl group to come out of the UK’. Their true, defining X Factor moment has finally arrived!
Closing the show was cheeky Scouser Marcus Collins, who sung ‘Your Love keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher)’. Backed by a gospel choir, Collins showed that he can hold his own amongst a sea of strong choral accompaniment, and provided a memorable performance that definitely had all the audience and the viewers at home clapping and moving. The judges were definitely dancing along, stating that Collins has finally found his path in music. As the current favourite to win, it will be a shock if Collins isn’t safe in the competition.
So, another live show is out the way, and as we wait until tonight’s results show – which boasts guests performances from Rebecca Ferguson and Rihanna – , it’s currently unclear who will be in the dreaded bottom two. Who will you vote for?
Louisa Davies.
I think good bye Misha
No one should vote for misha b as she’s a bully why should she be awarded for her behaviour she’s a bully and does NOT win
I think Craige is going to get out but i want either Amelia or Marcus to go.
Little Mix to win!