This is it. The Live Shows. 16 acts performing on the most important night for their future careers in the music industry. This is the night when fans really start to build loyalty, when the amazingly good can feel it's all been worthwhile and, whatever the judges say, hope to entertain us for at least another few weeks, when those who really were fortunate to get through to this stage finally fall.
It's a great couple of shows but also a cruel couple of shows because tomorrow four of these acts will go home. That's going to be tough and it probably won't be the four that deserve to go home - just those who made the least connection with the judges but that is, at least, a lot fairer than attempting to win an elusive public vote at this stage
Let's see how they all did.
Paige opens the show, looking absolutely stunning - a really pretty face beneath an outrageous, to use the word used by both Britney and Simon, porcupine affair on her head. She moves well but her singing is nervous and never really gets going. Some wrong notes and this is not the best of starts for her. The judges seem very considerate in their remarks but I wonder just how much that was because they'd been told to start in positive style, negatives and arguments possibly turning off viewers too soon? It will be very interesting to see whether they have the same degree of leniency with others, notably Cece, in this extremely tough category. All four could, from what we've seen in the run up to the Live Shows, make the final so choosing one to go will be really difficult.
Arin is the old guy in his group at 17. He has had experience on the Live Shows, which has to be a major advantage, leading InTENsity last year. Another nervous start, not exactly flowing, and he looked as if he was checking whether he was in the right place sometimes and I'm sure he was more than a little distracted by the dancers and everything going on around him. His voice was not strong and this track could have been brilliant but it was just average. In fact, he was saved to a large extent by the backing track which effectively presented the whole song for him. He, too, is in a very tough category and, unless nerves get to the younger ones in a big way, may still be the weakest, despite his experience and age.
David is the first of the Overs. At last, someone who starts as if he wants this and knows what he needs to do. He seems to have already grown quite a following on Twitter and seems very naturally at home on the stage. Great voice and an excellent song choice to show his heart on his sleeve, which is what this guy is particularly good at. Shout out to mum and dad won't have done him any harm. He deserves to live another day. So far, the big guys, Tate and Vino, have been making the running so his fate may depend on how Jason comes across later.
Knowing the massive Country vote that seems to exist out there, Simon will have felt obliged to have one group to match their needs. He's also chosen these three sisters (yes, they are sisters) who look just like male Country voters would want them to look as they are all beautiful. The lead has an air of Carrie Underwood about her but they all fell short on excitement. After a dreadfully unexciting start they did get going but this was nothing more than a very average performance, making that three 'averages' out of four so far. Emblem3 have made the running so far in the Groups category - the others are all very much unknown quantities so it could be an interesting night to see how they fare.
I shall declare at the outset that, if readers haven't already gathered, that Jennel is my favourite in this competition. So I was disappointed with this unusual and uninspiring song. She did her best with it, looks fantastic and seemed happy on stage and the judges seemed particularly impressed. The audience reaction was the best by far too so I feel she is pretty much safe. I do hope we see more passion and more of the edge that she has emotionally next week as she has all the qualities to succeed.
First of the really young ones. Diamond smiles a lot and has been dressed and made up to look fun and bright, shining on the big stage surrounded by a chaos of other kids dancing. Like so many acts tonight, though, everything seemed to be running at half-speed. This needed to be much faster, more energetic and just more fun. Demi used the word 'reserved' very accurately. She certainly starts off, though, looking and sounding good (with just a few wobbles) and way better than Rachel, who held a similar spot, last year. I'd say she's tipped the judges vote over Arin but I'm not that sure she'll be safe.
From one extreme to another. Vino is the exact opposite to Diamond. He's big and rough, with an earthy voice, belting out rock tunes. Well, he ought to be belting out rock tunes. He eventually got it together but that was one very shaky start and I even wonder if he lost his way at one point. First criticism from the judges. Simon spot on with the comment that LA Reid cocked up on that song choice. The word cocked was suitably blanked, of course! That may have improved David's chances, though. I had Vino down as a potentially winner from watching him during previous rounds so this was quite a surprise. There are some very strange song choices so far all round.
This is the group that you expect America to be least likely to get out their phones and vote for. Most of these guys' fans are not natural X Factor voters. Whatever! This was one great and entertaining performance. They put on a show and with a lot of fabulous graphics and even a nod to Gangham Style they have stolen the show so far by a mile. Totally professional, that Lyric girl is already a star and whatever happens on this show she'll be snapped up by someone very soon, if Simon hasn't done so behind the scenes already. Excellent. You do have to feel sorry for the guy with less hair, though, who only actually gets noticed in the act nearer the end, totally eclipsed (and also in the hilarious promo shots!) by Lyric and the other one.
Of all the acts tonight, this is the one I've been looking forward to most. I love this girl and really want her to get over the 'unlikeability factor' that she's shown to date. This was a good performance, not great, but I think she has the potential to be great if she can get some votes on her side - indeed, if she can stay in the show too, of course. This was another cool visual performance and she put a lot into it that puts her apart from some who have just stood and sung. She has been virtually note perfect in everything she's done so far but made a few mistakes this time - but nothing disastrous, just wish she hadn't. The dancers and her tights had a grubby air about them that I didn't think worked that well and, if it were a voting night, I would be worried for her as it wasn't so visually appealing for many who might otherwise vote for her. As it is, she's in with a chance but it would be at Paige's expense, and are the judges ready for that decision? I don't know. Cece must be so pissed that she's up against so many good people in this category. Any other year and she'd be through easily.
Everyone likes Tate. He just walks on and starts singing. Great from the very start which no one else has managed as well so far. This is only Week 1 Part 1 and the guy looks like an experienced act at his own show or as a guest on this one. By far, far and away, the best performance tonight. Is that enough to win X Factor, though? Because he's so good, it might just be. He may just find competition from Willie, though, who could steal all the youngster's votes that Scotty had bagged from the start.
This part could be described as the Beatrice or Carly Rose Show. Beatrice starts as the underdog of the two but this was a superb vocal performance and there's some special quality in her voice that is truly remarkable. She certainly ought to have put Arin and Diamond in the sing-off after that. So young and so good. Possibly a dark horse - although I accept that is one long shot! I just get that feeling. We'll have to see what Carly Rose does, though, before going further down that line!
Good old Jason. He's someone you can almost rely on to be entertaining. A cheerful song but after a while the same note repeated again and again with a bit of a screech and not always as in tune as it should be got a bit tiresome. He is pretty likely to be the one to go. That wasn't very good. I did like Jason's cheek, though, in his unedited remark at the very end about one of the co-host's cheek! We'll miss that if he goes but with all those under 18s around asking their mothers what he meant I suppose it'll be just as well!
1432. Not Lylas anymore. Lylas never made sense and sounded like those blow-up things you use as spare beds. Hey, that started terribly but got better very quickly and some great harmonies and vocals from most of them made this one of the better performances tonight. Quite a lot of criticism from the judges but this was a modern pop act that was better than the Spice Girls used to be when they started. The audience loved them and I reckon they should manage to stay with SisterC getting the boot. There is some serious talent in there and if they can get a few more notes right - the middle girl letting them down this time - then they'll do well.
Willie looks great, the cameras love him. An entertaining performance but not brilliant. He seems still to be getting used to being on a stage but, with dancers like that around him, I'm pretty sure he won't mind getting some more practice! He sings well, has some cool low notes and that Country style is popular. He can't touch Tate on the vocals but, if he can find something to make him really stand out in a modern way, he'll be around for a while yet.
This is the favourite by a long way at the bookies. Carly Rose has perfect pitch - she just starts and it's right. As this song, which was a bit odd anyway, ranged around she seemed to be able just to pick notes and moments and it all worked. With such young acts - she's 13 or 14, I think, - I do have trouble with how they can put across emotions from the lyrics, though. She is absolutely fantastic and one of the best potential stars that I've seen in a long time. The key word there, though, is potential. Demi asked whether she was actually ready yet. She had a point. She needs to be believable and, especially in a uniform that even emphasised her age, she lacked something. I find it so difficult criticising a performance that is one of the few I'd gladly watch again - and all credit to Britney for that - and I really do want to see her progress as she is too good to lose now. I think the punters are wrong (although I can understand why she does lead the polls) and someone else will win but she deserves to get through to the final if only to show the others just what good singing is all about and to give them all a bar to get over. If she can add real entertainment and, somehow, emotion to future tracks then anything is possible. She will be star. One day.
The boys get to close the show. Urban background. Nice choice by Simon again. This group will definitely be around a while yet. No doubt about that and a big fan base - importantly comprising voting fans too - will be a great support for them as the weeks progress. This was a great song for them - they might not like the Boy Band tag but that's what they'll get and can learn to live with it. A super way to close the show. We don't get to hear what the judges said or, for that matter, the audiences' reaction but I don't think it'll matter. they'll be around for a while yet.
So, who's going tomorrow? Tough choices indeed in places.
Groups: SisterC v 1432. 1432 will be more likely to win judges' votes but any bum notes from them with something a bit special from SisterC might possibly change the outcome. I see Sister C going.
Overs: Vino v Jason Jason is quite a light sort of act and, whilst we need some entertainment, I'm not sure he'll make it through. However, one set of full body tattoos is enough for the Live Shows and if Vino falls down again with nerves or just poor performance then he may struggle. My prediction is that Jason goes.
Young adults: Cece v Paige This rivalry has been going on since the start, if you believe the cleverly edited productions so far. But this sing-off, if that is what happens, would end that once and for all and could not have been created by the production team. I really really want to see what Cece can do but feel, sadly, that it'll be Paige that gets saved. It should be Paige that goes but I simply don't know.
Teens: Arin v Diamond
It would be so disappointing for Arin to be sent home in Week 1 for a second time but that seems to me the inescapable conclusion with such tremendous talent amongst the other three. The judges may make a decision based on the need to keep a guy in that category but I don't see them sending Diamond home. There may be a shock in this category. I don't know exactly how it will work. I am assuming that one from each category must go, reducing the acts to three per judge for Week 2. I am also assuming that all four will decide which two are at risk and also choose who goes home. That's a lot of negotiation and, presumably, behind the scenes activity that is already happening. Every possible combination will have been looked at and each judge will have declared who they want to take through and who of the other judges' acts they prefer. In a way, therefore, it will have been decided by the time they walk on stage.
Unless there's an element I am not aware of then it will be an odd night. What for instance, would happen if the vote were 2-2? Will they ask the 16 to vote? That was the technique used in an early programme of this type I watched a decade ago. in BBC's Fame Academy each act voted for their choice to go out of a bottom two if my memory serves me well. I wonder whether Simon remembers that. It kinda worked.
It's a great couple of shows but also a cruel couple of shows because tomorrow four of these acts will go home. That's going to be tough and it probably won't be the four that deserve to go home - just those who made the least connection with the judges but that is, at least, a lot fairer than attempting to win an elusive public vote at this stage
Let's see how they all did.
Paige opens the show, looking absolutely stunning - a really pretty face beneath an outrageous, to use the word used by both Britney and Simon, porcupine affair on her head. She moves well but her singing is nervous and never really gets going. Some wrong notes and this is not the best of starts for her. The judges seem very considerate in their remarks but I wonder just how much that was because they'd been told to start in positive style, negatives and arguments possibly turning off viewers too soon? It will be very interesting to see whether they have the same degree of leniency with others, notably Cece, in this extremely tough category. All four could, from what we've seen in the run up to the Live Shows, make the final so choosing one to go will be really difficult.
Arin is the old guy in his group at 17. He has had experience on the Live Shows, which has to be a major advantage, leading InTENsity last year. Another nervous start, not exactly flowing, and he looked as if he was checking whether he was in the right place sometimes and I'm sure he was more than a little distracted by the dancers and everything going on around him. His voice was not strong and this track could have been brilliant but it was just average. In fact, he was saved to a large extent by the backing track which effectively presented the whole song for him. He, too, is in a very tough category and, unless nerves get to the younger ones in a big way, may still be the weakest, despite his experience and age.
David is the first of the Overs. At last, someone who starts as if he wants this and knows what he needs to do. He seems to have already grown quite a following on Twitter and seems very naturally at home on the stage. Great voice and an excellent song choice to show his heart on his sleeve, which is what this guy is particularly good at. Shout out to mum and dad won't have done him any harm. He deserves to live another day. So far, the big guys, Tate and Vino, have been making the running so his fate may depend on how Jason comes across later.
Knowing the massive Country vote that seems to exist out there, Simon will have felt obliged to have one group to match their needs. He's also chosen these three sisters (yes, they are sisters) who look just like male Country voters would want them to look as they are all beautiful. The lead has an air of Carrie Underwood about her but they all fell short on excitement. After a dreadfully unexciting start they did get going but this was nothing more than a very average performance, making that three 'averages' out of four so far. Emblem3 have made the running so far in the Groups category - the others are all very much unknown quantities so it could be an interesting night to see how they fare.
I shall declare at the outset that, if readers haven't already gathered, that Jennel is my favourite in this competition. So I was disappointed with this unusual and uninspiring song. She did her best with it, looks fantastic and seemed happy on stage and the judges seemed particularly impressed. The audience reaction was the best by far too so I feel she is pretty much safe. I do hope we see more passion and more of the edge that she has emotionally next week as she has all the qualities to succeed.
First of the really young ones. Diamond smiles a lot and has been dressed and made up to look fun and bright, shining on the big stage surrounded by a chaos of other kids dancing. Like so many acts tonight, though, everything seemed to be running at half-speed. This needed to be much faster, more energetic and just more fun. Demi used the word 'reserved' very accurately. She certainly starts off, though, looking and sounding good (with just a few wobbles) and way better than Rachel, who held a similar spot, last year. I'd say she's tipped the judges vote over Arin but I'm not that sure she'll be safe.
From one extreme to another. Vino is the exact opposite to Diamond. He's big and rough, with an earthy voice, belting out rock tunes. Well, he ought to be belting out rock tunes. He eventually got it together but that was one very shaky start and I even wonder if he lost his way at one point. First criticism from the judges. Simon spot on with the comment that LA Reid cocked up on that song choice. The word cocked was suitably blanked, of course! That may have improved David's chances, though. I had Vino down as a potentially winner from watching him during previous rounds so this was quite a surprise. There are some very strange song choices so far all round.
This is the group that you expect America to be least likely to get out their phones and vote for. Most of these guys' fans are not natural X Factor voters. Whatever! This was one great and entertaining performance. They put on a show and with a lot of fabulous graphics and even a nod to Gangham Style they have stolen the show so far by a mile. Totally professional, that Lyric girl is already a star and whatever happens on this show she'll be snapped up by someone very soon, if Simon hasn't done so behind the scenes already. Excellent. You do have to feel sorry for the guy with less hair, though, who only actually gets noticed in the act nearer the end, totally eclipsed (and also in the hilarious promo shots!) by Lyric and the other one.
Of all the acts tonight, this is the one I've been looking forward to most. I love this girl and really want her to get over the 'unlikeability factor' that she's shown to date. This was a good performance, not great, but I think she has the potential to be great if she can get some votes on her side - indeed, if she can stay in the show too, of course. This was another cool visual performance and she put a lot into it that puts her apart from some who have just stood and sung. She has been virtually note perfect in everything she's done so far but made a few mistakes this time - but nothing disastrous, just wish she hadn't. The dancers and her tights had a grubby air about them that I didn't think worked that well and, if it were a voting night, I would be worried for her as it wasn't so visually appealing for many who might otherwise vote for her. As it is, she's in with a chance but it would be at Paige's expense, and are the judges ready for that decision? I don't know. Cece must be so pissed that she's up against so many good people in this category. Any other year and she'd be through easily.
Everyone likes Tate. He just walks on and starts singing. Great from the very start which no one else has managed as well so far. This is only Week 1 Part 1 and the guy looks like an experienced act at his own show or as a guest on this one. By far, far and away, the best performance tonight. Is that enough to win X Factor, though? Because he's so good, it might just be. He may just find competition from Willie, though, who could steal all the youngster's votes that Scotty had bagged from the start.
This part could be described as the Beatrice or Carly Rose Show. Beatrice starts as the underdog of the two but this was a superb vocal performance and there's some special quality in her voice that is truly remarkable. She certainly ought to have put Arin and Diamond in the sing-off after that. So young and so good. Possibly a dark horse - although I accept that is one long shot! I just get that feeling. We'll have to see what Carly Rose does, though, before going further down that line!
Good old Jason. He's someone you can almost rely on to be entertaining. A cheerful song but after a while the same note repeated again and again with a bit of a screech and not always as in tune as it should be got a bit tiresome. He is pretty likely to be the one to go. That wasn't very good. I did like Jason's cheek, though, in his unedited remark at the very end about one of the co-host's cheek! We'll miss that if he goes but with all those under 18s around asking their mothers what he meant I suppose it'll be just as well!
1432. Not Lylas anymore. Lylas never made sense and sounded like those blow-up things you use as spare beds. Hey, that started terribly but got better very quickly and some great harmonies and vocals from most of them made this one of the better performances tonight. Quite a lot of criticism from the judges but this was a modern pop act that was better than the Spice Girls used to be when they started. The audience loved them and I reckon they should manage to stay with SisterC getting the boot. There is some serious talent in there and if they can get a few more notes right - the middle girl letting them down this time - then they'll do well.
Willie looks great, the cameras love him. An entertaining performance but not brilliant. He seems still to be getting used to being on a stage but, with dancers like that around him, I'm pretty sure he won't mind getting some more practice! He sings well, has some cool low notes and that Country style is popular. He can't touch Tate on the vocals but, if he can find something to make him really stand out in a modern way, he'll be around for a while yet.
This is the favourite by a long way at the bookies. Carly Rose has perfect pitch - she just starts and it's right. As this song, which was a bit odd anyway, ranged around she seemed to be able just to pick notes and moments and it all worked. With such young acts - she's 13 or 14, I think, - I do have trouble with how they can put across emotions from the lyrics, though. She is absolutely fantastic and one of the best potential stars that I've seen in a long time. The key word there, though, is potential. Demi asked whether she was actually ready yet. She had a point. She needs to be believable and, especially in a uniform that even emphasised her age, she lacked something. I find it so difficult criticising a performance that is one of the few I'd gladly watch again - and all credit to Britney for that - and I really do want to see her progress as she is too good to lose now. I think the punters are wrong (although I can understand why she does lead the polls) and someone else will win but she deserves to get through to the final if only to show the others just what good singing is all about and to give them all a bar to get over. If she can add real entertainment and, somehow, emotion to future tracks then anything is possible. She will be star. One day.
The boys get to close the show. Urban background. Nice choice by Simon again. This group will definitely be around a while yet. No doubt about that and a big fan base - importantly comprising voting fans too - will be a great support for them as the weeks progress. This was a great song for them - they might not like the Boy Band tag but that's what they'll get and can learn to live with it. A super way to close the show. We don't get to hear what the judges said or, for that matter, the audiences' reaction but I don't think it'll matter. they'll be around for a while yet.
So, who's going tomorrow? Tough choices indeed in places.
Groups: SisterC v 1432. 1432 will be more likely to win judges' votes but any bum notes from them with something a bit special from SisterC might possibly change the outcome. I see Sister C going.
Overs: Vino v Jason Jason is quite a light sort of act and, whilst we need some entertainment, I'm not sure he'll make it through. However, one set of full body tattoos is enough for the Live Shows and if Vino falls down again with nerves or just poor performance then he may struggle. My prediction is that Jason goes.
Young adults: Cece v Paige This rivalry has been going on since the start, if you believe the cleverly edited productions so far. But this sing-off, if that is what happens, would end that once and for all and could not have been created by the production team. I really really want to see what Cece can do but feel, sadly, that it'll be Paige that gets saved. It should be Paige that goes but I simply don't know.
Teens: Arin v Diamond
It would be so disappointing for Arin to be sent home in Week 1 for a second time but that seems to me the inescapable conclusion with such tremendous talent amongst the other three. The judges may make a decision based on the need to keep a guy in that category but I don't see them sending Diamond home. There may be a shock in this category. I don't know exactly how it will work. I am assuming that one from each category must go, reducing the acts to three per judge for Week 2. I am also assuming that all four will decide which two are at risk and also choose who goes home. That's a lot of negotiation and, presumably, behind the scenes activity that is already happening. Every possible combination will have been looked at and each judge will have declared who they want to take through and who of the other judges' acts they prefer. In a way, therefore, it will have been decided by the time they walk on stage.
Unless there's an element I am not aware of then it will be an odd night. What for instance, would happen if the vote were 2-2? Will they ask the 16 to vote? That was the technique used in an early programme of this type I watched a decade ago. in BBC's Fame Academy each act voted for their choice to go out of a bottom two if my memory serves me well. I wonder whether Simon remembers that. It kinda worked.
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