Tonight’s X Factor saw the remaining acts sing two songs to secure good comments from the judges and votes from the viewers.
Jukebox Week arrived meaning that each hopeful had to perform a song selected by the viewers and a song selected by a British music star. The evening also marked the quarter-final stage of the competition and there are only two more weeks of the show left!
Simon Cowell, Cheryl, Mel B and Louis Walsh were on hand to offer their commentary as usual with Dermot O’Leary ensuring they didn’t bicker too much!
Find out how everyone got on by reading on…
Ben Haenow
The song: Come Together by The Beatles (picked by One Direction)
Our verdict: Ben sang really well tonight and the creative worked well for him. We would like him to do more than wander around on stage but overall it was a solid performance.
The comments: Louis said that Ben is getting better every week and told him he has to make the final. Mel B said that Ben has ‘everything going on right now’ and told him she loves him ‘just like this’. Cheryl said that she would buy in to Ben tonight. Simon said that the performance was spot on and he told Ben he represents every working man.
Lauren Platt
The song: Clarity by Zedd (chosen by Little Mix)
Our verdict: It’s nice to see Lauren singing something young and fresh. She sounded really good tonight and we liked the performance. Good work!
The comments: Louis said that Little Mix chose an amazing song for Lauren and he told her it was faultless. Mel B said that she thought the dancers were distracting and told Lauren that she didn’t seem into it. Simon said he could tell Lauren was straining a little and he disagreed with Mel. Cheryl said that Lauren has been ill this week and couldn’t sing yesterday but told her she was very proud.
Stereo Kicks
The song: Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars (chosen by Tulisa)
Our verdict: The harmonies were strong tonight and James carried the solo vocals easily.
The comments: Mel B said that the track swallowed their voices tonight and told the group that their vocals weren’t as good as they should have been. Cheryl said that Tulisa chose a great song for the group but told them that the staging was boring. Simon said that Stereo Kicks’ performance was changed last minute but agreed that it wasn’t their best performance. Louis disagreed with Mel B and told them they were great vocally.
Fleur East
The song: Fool In Love by Tina Turner (chosen by Emeli Sande)
Our verdict: We say it every single week – thank goodness for Fleur! We feel like she’s already an established popstar. She’s so confident and she never fails to give a fantastic performance.
The comments: Louis said he gets excited every time she comes on stage and told her she has to make the final. Mel B said it wasn’t her favourite but told Fleur she made the song ‘cool, hip and current’. Cheryl agreed with Mel and told her that many people wouldn’t know the song. Simon said Fleur ‘smashed it’ and told her it was a fantastic performance.
Andrea Faustini
The song: Chandelier by Sia (chosen by Sam Smith)
Our verdict: We’re not big fans of this song at all and we think that some of Andrea’s diction was poor in the first half. Having said that he did a good job with a very difficult song.
The comments: Louis said he’s glad the judges saved Andrea last week. Cheryl said it was a stunning production and told Andrea he proved he’s an incredible vocalist again. Simon said it was the perfect song choice for Andrea but told him that he pushed the song a little too much at the end. Mel B said Andrea made the song his own and told him she felt every single word.
Once the acts had all performed their first song, they returned to the stage again to perform their second song choices which were chosen by viewers:
Lauren Platt
The song: Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia
Our verdict: To say Lauren couldn’t sing yesterday she sounded incredible on this song. She definitely proved to Mel B that she could deliver and we liked her interpretation of the song.
The comments: Louis said that Lauren was ‘the perfect little popstar’ and told her she never lets him down. Mel B said that the public got the song choice right and told her she ‘smashed it’. Simon said he was worried after the first song but told her that she reminded him why he loved her in the first place. Cheryl said that Lauren proved she can behave professionally despite being ill all week and told her we need her in the final.
Ben Haenow
The song: Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Our verdict: It was nice to hear Ben singing something contemporary. His voice suited the song and he delivered a really solid performance. We think his place in the semi-final is guaranteed.
The comments: Louis said that this song was even better for Ben and he told him he’s the one to beat. Mel B said rock songs suit him but told him this wasn’t his song as he can’t show light and shade with his voice. Cheryl said the public have great taste in music and told him she wants to see him in the final. Simon said it’s a difficult song for anyone other than Ed to sing and told him that people need to vote for him.
Stereo Kicks
The song: Run by Snow Patrol
Our verdict: They brought it back together with that second performance. The chorus harmonies were strong and James’ vocals were killer. Well done boys!
The comments: Mel B said that her daughter adores Stereo Kicks and told them the performance was perfect. Cheryl said she wasn’t sure to begin with but told them they did a good job. Simon said he can see in their eyes how much they want it and told them it reminded him of why he loves them. Louis said they ‘smashed it’.
Fleur East
The song: If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys
Our verdict: Can we just crown Fleur the winner already? Two fantastic performances tonight and her vocals were incredible on this one. We’re Team Fleur all the way!
The comments: Louis said that Fleur deserves to get through to the semi-final. Mel B said Fleur did a good job but told her she thought the song was too big for her. Cheryl said that it was Fleur’s best ballad in the competition so far. Simon said that Fleur was all about the music and he said he applauded her.
Andrea Faustini
The song: Hero by Mariah Carey
Our verdict: Singing part of the song in Italian was a good move. We are a bit bored of Andrea singing big ballads but the song was chosen for him. It’s a tough song to sing but he sounded fantastic.
The comments: Louis said that Andrea ‘nailed it’ and told him he’s made the competition more interesting. Cheryl said she loved the Italian part and told him they saved the best until last. Simon said the twist was brave and unique telling Andrea it was the perfect song choice. Mel B said she wants everybody to vote for him and got a bit tearful.
The X Factor 2014 continues tomorrow night at 8pm on ITV. Tune in to find out which act will be going home.
