HomeTVThe X Factor 2014 week 2 live show recap

The X Factor 2014 week 2 live show recap

The X Factor entered the second week of live shows for 2014 tonight and the remaining 14 acts battled it out to secure the public vote and their place in next week’s competition.

Tonight the theme was the 80s and the hopeful belted out their takes on various 80s classics in a bid to get the judges’ seal of approval. Once again this weekend two acts will leave the competition in tomorrow night’s results show.

Find out how everyone did by reading on…

Jack Walton

Jack Walton
Credit: ITV

Song: Straight Up

Our verdict: We weren’t crazy about the arrangement of this song. The original Paula Abdul song is a pop classic but Jack’s version stripped out everything we love about the song. Not a great start to the show tonight.

The judges comments: Louis said that Paula Abdul would love his version of the song. Cheryl commented on Mel B and Jack’s chemistry and said she liked his version. Simon said it wasn’t the best vocal he’d heard but told Jack it was better than last week. Mel B said that Simon wants Jack in his category and told Jack she was proud of him.

Stephanie Nala

Stephanie Nala
Credit: ITV

Song: Call Me

Our verdict: An improvement on last week’s performance for sure but we’re still not loving Stephanie.

The judges comments: Louis said that Stephanie was better than last week. Mel B said she could see that Stephanie has worked hard this week but told her she got bored in the middle of the song. Simon said it was a million times better than last week but told her he has an issue with her seeming half asleep. Cheryl said she was proud of Stephanie this week and argued with Simon about his critique.

Andrea Faustini

Andrea Faustini
Credit: ITV

Song: One Moment In Time

Our verdict: Vocally a very strong performance as always from Andrea. We worry that he may get boring quite quickly and wonder if he’s as versatile as some of the other singers in the competition?

The judges comments: Louis loved the performance but said he didn’t like Andrea’s jacket. Cheryl asked if there’s anything that Andrea can’t sing? Simon said that Andrea stole the show last week but told him he wasn’t as good this week. Mel B said that Andrea always takes us on a journey and told him he’s amazing.

Lauren Platt

Lauren Platt
Credit: ITV

Song: What A Feeling

Our verdict: Another twist on a familiar song. Overall Lauren sang the song really well but it was towards the top of her range. We’d like to her sing something a little more uptempo next week.

The judges comments: Louis said that Lauren was even better this week. Mel B said Lauren has come into her own tonight and told her well done. Simon said it was the best performance of the night so far and told Lauren the songs she’s had so far were a good fit for her. Cheryl said ‘simply stunning’.

Ben Haenow

Ben Haenow
Credit: ITV

Song: Jealous Guy

Our verdict: Ben is a great singer but we were bored by that performance.

The judges comments: Louis said that Ben is what The X Factor is about and told him he had ‘the big package’. Mel B told Paul not to complain about being ill and said she loved his performance. Cheryl said Ben was absolutely fantastic. Simon argued with Mel B about her lack of sympathy for Ben but told Ben he was amazing tonight.

Fleur East

Fleur East
Credit: ITV

Song: It’s a Shame

Our verdict: Thank god for Fleur tonight! She’s the first contestant to actually put on a performance. We like the direction Fleur is going in and she’s emerging as the dark horse of the competition. That was a great performance!

The judges comments: Louis said that Fleur was like a little Mel B. Mel B said it was a great performance but told Fleur she couldn’t really hear Fleur’s voice on the chorus due to the backing. Cheryl said that Fleur is fast becoming one of her favourites in the competition. Simon said that Fleur is turning into an artist and continued to argue with Mel B over her critique.

Stereo Kicks

Stereo Kicks
Credit: ITV

Song: The Boys of Summer

Our verdict: Those were some tight harmonies! Stereo Kicks are definitely better than Overload Generation were last week. The 8 boy combo may be a bit much but they’re doing really well.

The judges comments: Mel B said it was a good song choice but told Stereo Kicks that she wants to hear them acapella. Cheryl said she didn’t feel hysteria from the audience which she found odd for a boy band. Simon said that Stereo Kicks haven’t been given enough credit and told them he was really beginning to believe in them. Louis said the boys were better than last week and told them it could be the start of something great.

Lola Saunders

Lola Saunders
Credit: ITV

Song: Imagine

Our verdict: Lola can sing there’s no doubt about that but she really over sang Imagine tonight. The song is beautiful because it’s so understated but the riffs and belting really distracted. We didn’t love it.

The judges comments: Louis said that Lola is the dark horse. Mel B called Lola a legend and told her that her vocals were ‘on point’. Simon said Lola is getting better and told her she was at 80% tonight. Cheryl said that Lola sang like an angel.

Jake Quickenden

Jake Quickenden
Credit: ITV

Song: Total Eclipse of the Heart

Our verdict: We like Jake but that song was just too big for him. He was keen to show off his vocals tonight but shouting and belting doesn’t do that. Sometimes less is more but this song just didn’t work for him.

The judges comments: Louis said it was a brave song choice and told Jake he sang his heart out. Cheryl said she could see Jake put his all into the performance but told him she didn’t like the song choice. Simon said there were parts of the vocal that were terrible. Mel B said that Jake really stepped up this week and told him his vocals were on point.

Chloe Jasmine

Chloe Jasmine
Credit: ITV

Song: Fame

Our verdict: One of the best performances of the night. Chloe is gaining in confidence and you can really hear it in her voice. Everyone else needs to step up their game.

The judges comments: Louis said that Chloe was his ‘cup of tea’. Mel B said that Cheryl did Chloe a disservice tonight and told her she didn’t like the song or make-up. Simon said he likes Chloe because she’s bonkers and agreed with Mel B that Cheryl hadn’t got it right for Chloe this week. Cheryl said that Chloe sang beautifully and told her she wouldn’t change her for the world.

Paul Akister

Paul Akister
Credit: ITV

Song: If You Don’t Know Me By Now

Our verdict: Paul sang his heart out on that song tonight. We didn’t hear much change in the arrangement which he talked about in his VT. It was a strong vocal for sure and one of the best of the night.

The judges comments: Louis said it was his performance of the series so far. Cheryl said the performance took her right back to her childhood. Simon said Paul sang the song brilliantly but told him he needs to perform better. Mel B said all Paul needs to do is sing and told him he was getting sexier.

Stevi Ritchie

Stevi Ritchie
Credit: ITV

Song: Never Gonna Give You Up

Our verdict: Say what you like about Stevi he’s a good entertainer. His vocals may be a mess and his dancing cringeworthy but he always gives it his all. At least he did an uptempo number!

The judges comments: Louis called Stevi a sex god but told him it was like being in a karaoke bar in Benidorm. Mel B said that Stevi’s personality is adorable but that the dancers didn’t even make him look good. Cheryl said Stevi is one of the most genuine contestants on the show and told him it was entertaining. Simon said he loves Stevi and told him that the public really likes him.

Only The Young

Only The Young
Credit: ITV

Song: Come On Eileen

Our verdict: We weren’t crazy about the song choice and to be honest we’re not crazy about Only The Young either. We think they’re too squeaky clean and they definitely don’t excite us. The performance was ok but we won’t remember it in a few days.

The judges comments: Mel B said that Only The Young got it ‘so right’ and told them her daughter loves them. Cheryl said she’s always been a massive fan of the band but told them that they are better than that song. Simon disagreed with Cheryl and told them that he likes their energy. Louis said it was a risk but commended them for working so hard.

Jay James

Jay James
Credit: ITV

Song: I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)

Our verdict: We’re really not a fan of this making 80s songs miserable trend that’s happened on The X Factor tonight. Jay is a great singer but he really oversang on that performance. Disappointing.

The judges comments: Louis said that Jay was like a young Simon Cowell. Mel B said Jay was even better this week. Cheryl said that she thought Jay sang the song beautifully but she wasn’t sure she liked it. Simon said Jay’s performance was genius and commended his passion and heart.

The X Factor results are tomorrow night at 8pm on ITV. Find out who will be going home!

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

Must Read

Advertisement