The X Factor 2014 live shows kicked off tonight with the finalists performing on The X Factor stage for the first time for the public and the studio audience.
At the start of tonight’s show the wildcards were revealed and it was confirmed that Overload would be joining the Groups, Jack Walton would be joining the Boys, Lola Saunders would be joining the Girls and Stevi Ritchie would be joining the Overs.
As always Dermot O’Leary hosted the evening’s entertainment and played referee to judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl, Mel B and Louis Walsh.
Find out what everyone sung and how they got on during tonight’s live show.
Paul Akister
Song: Ghost
Our verdict: We weren’t sure to begin with but Paul won us over with his strong vocal. Not the best song choice for his voice but he did a solid job and opening the show is not a task anyone would find easy.
The judges comments: Cheryl said it was a lot of pressure to open the series and she congratulated Paul on his performance. Simon once again pointed out how Louis almost ruined Paul’s life previously and told him he needs to perform like a diva. Louis said he’s glad he said no to Paul because he’s come back a different guy. Mel B said it was a solid performance and that she wanted everyone to vote for him.
Lola Saunders
Song: Stay With Me
Our verdict: That’s the most confident performance we’ve seen from Lola and it looks like she’s overcome the nerves which almost cost her a place in the live shows. Her vocals were strong and she looked fantastic.
The judges comments: Simon said he was gobsmacked that she wasn’t originally picked by Cheryl but he told her he didn’t like her outfit. Louis said Lola deserves to be on the show but told her she has the voice of an angel. Mel B said it was a great song choice and told Lola she had that extra-special something. Cheryl said that Lola sang stunningly and told her she was very proud of her.
Overload Generation
Song: I Kissed A Girl
Our verdict: What was Louis thinking? This was a terrible song choice for Overload Generation. They got off to a wobbly start but pulled it back by the end. We hope this doesn’t spell the end for them tomorrow night.
The judges comments: Mel B said that Overload Generation have always come out fighting but said aside from the harmonies it fell apart. Cheryl said that they were the obvious choice to bring back but told them there was nothing new or fresh about the performance. Simon said Overload Generation need to work on their place in the market and told one of the members that he looked gormless! Ouch!! Louis said he thought the judges were harsh on them and told them they would go far in the competition.
Jay James
Song: Changing
Our verdict: A great song choice for Jay tonight. It made him seem more current than he has so far and it’s a pleasant change to hear him sing something that isn’t a weepy ballad. Good job Jay!
The judges comments: Louis said that he loved that Jay took a risk tonight and told him he reminds him of a young Kevin Costner (what?!). Mel B said she expected a boring song but was surprised by the song choice. Cheryl said it was a great song choice and told him well done. Simon said it was the difference between seeing someone sing a song and someone developing into an artist.
Stephanie Nala
Song: Everything I Own
Our verdict: Oh dear! We’re not sure what happened there. Whether it was her confidence or her vocals, something wasn’t right there for Stephanie. The whole performance fell flat and we think she could be in danger tomorrow.
The judges comments: Simon said he was disappointed and that he thinks she would be better in a girl band. Louis agreed with Simon and said the song was very flat. Mel B said she thought everyone was being harsh on Stephanie and told her she did a solid performance. Cheryl argued with Louis over the song choice but told Stephanie she had faith in her.
Jack Walton
Song: Only Girl (In The World)
Our verdict: We really like Jack and glad he’s back in the competition but like Stephanie that was a really flat performance. The twist on the song stripped out all of the joy and fun from it. We weren’t keen!
The judges comments: Cheryl said it was an amazing song choice and told Jack he did a really great job. Simon said Louis from One Direction sent him a text message of outrage over Jack originally missing the live shows and he told Jack he likes him. Louis said that Simon did Mel a big favour by bringing him back. Mel B chanted ‘Jack is back’ and that was about it.
Chloe Jasmine
Song: Toxic
Our verdict: We liked that version Chloe and completely agree with Cheryl that she should use the negative press attention to motivate her. The best performance of the night so far for us. We loved it!
The judges comments: Simon said that Chloe fascinates him and told her that she will divide audiences. He also told her to toughen up and ignore the bad press. Louis said Chloe was ‘sultry, sexy and spectacular’. Mel B said it was a great song choice and that Chloe transported her. Cheryl said we should embrace people’s uniqueness and told Chloe she was proud of her.
Stereo Kicks
Song: Roar
Our verdict: New boy band finally have a name! Stereo Kicks! A bit of an odd song choice for them tonight we thought. Has Louis only listened to Katy Perry this week?
The judges comments: Mel B said she would listen to them sing anything and commended their harmonies. Cheryl asked Louis if he went through Katy Perry’s number 1s for his song choices and told the band that it was overwhelming to see 8 guys on the stage. Simon said that they blew Overload Generation off the stage and told them he was excited about them. Louis said he thinks he has the next big boy band.
Stevi Ritchie
Song: Livin’ La Vida Loca
Our verdict: WOW! We’re not sure what happened there but we actually really enjoyed Stevi’s performance tonight. Sure he’s not really a singer but there’s no denying that he’s entertaining. As for that shirt rip at the end…
The judges comments: Louis said he loved the performance until he saw Stevi’s chest at the end and asked if he borrowed Simon’s moves. Mel B asked if it was a joke and said that she liked the girls. Cheryl said she brought Stevi back because the audience loved him. Simon said that Stevi isn’t the best singer in the competition and told him he would be in the competition longer than Cheryl’s girls.
Lauren Platt
Song: Happy
Our verdict: Lauren sounded fantastic tonight but that was an odd rendition of that song. We’re not 100% sure it worked well and the staging was a bit bare for such an upbeat and popular song.
The judges comments: Simon said it was a smart performance with Lauren doing her own twist on a popular song. Louis said that Lauren has a great recording voice and told her Pharrell would be happy. Mel B said that Lauren has created her own lane. Cheryl said that Lauren is a dream to work with and told her she was stunning.
Blonde Electra
Song: Kids in America
Our verdict: Blonde Electra definitely aren’t the best vocalists in the competition but their performance was actually very colourful and entertaining. Do we think they’re going to last long? Not a chance but at least they weren’t boring.
The judges comments: Mel B said she thought she was going to hate it but told them they made it a proper creative performance. Cheryl said that Blonde Electra know they’re bonkers and that she appreciated that. Simon told them they are still annoying but admitted he looks forward to seeing them.
Ben Haenow
Song: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Our verdict: A safe song choice for Ben tonight. We’ve heard this song sung far too many times over the years. Surely Simon could have given him something a bit more current to sing? Disappointed Ben!
The judges comments: Louis said he loved everything about the performance. Mel B said she thought it was a boring song choice and told Ben it didn’t work. Cheryl said it was one of her Top 3 performances of the night and told Ben she loved the authenticity to his vocal. Simon said he wanted to find an artist like Ben this year.
Jake Quickenden
Song: She’s The One
Our verdict: Quite how Mel B can criticise any other act for having a boring song when she gave Jake this dud is beyond us! Jake did a good job of singing a pretty dull song but we wished she’d given him something more current to perform.
The judges comments: Cheryl said she thought Jake did a good job. Simon said that Jake is missing grit in his voice at the moment and told him he needs to sing better. Louis said it wasn’t the best song but that people would like Jake anyway. Mel B said that Jake did a great job and told him she was proud of him.
Fleur East
Song: All About That Bass
Our verdict: Very, very clever song choice for Fleur tonight. Completely current and it really suited her voice. We don’t even like the original version but we thought Fleur’s version was brilliant.
The judges comments: Louis said it was one of his favourite performances of the night. Mel B said that Fleur has made Simon cool, current and hip. Cheryl said that Fleur came from nowhere and told her she was ‘everything’. Simon said that Fleur was a directionless pussycat when they first found her but told her it all connected after her judges’ houses performance.
Only The Young
Song: Jailhouse Rock / Twist N Shout
Our verdict: For a band so young this was an absolutely terrible and out-dated choice. We think Louis must have run out of Katy Perry songs to give to his acts. Only The Young, if we were you we’d be worried about going home tomorrow night. Very cheesy.
The judges comments: Mel B said she loved them from day one but told them they were cooler than the song choice. Cheryl said the chemistry is natural and told them she enjoyed it. Simon said it wasn’t the most original two songs he’s ever heard but he told them it was smart. Louis
Andrea Faustini
Song: Earth Song
Our verdict: An odd song choice but to be honest Andrea could sing the phone book and we’d probably want to listen to it. Far and away the best vocal and performance of the night. Andrea is the front-runner after week 1.
The judges comments: Cheryl told Andrea it was an outstanding way to end the show and told him he deserved the wild reaction from the audience. Simon said that Andrea ‘took us to church’ and told him he sings with passion. Louis told Andrea that he was in it for the long haul. Mel B labelled Andrea the winner and laughed at the other judges in a smug but amusing way.
Tune in to ITV at 8.15pm tomorrow night to see which two acts will leave the competition. Pharrell Williams and Taylor Swift will be stopping by to perform.
