17.9.14

The X Factor - Arena Auditions (Two)



Sunday’s X Factor gave us the chance to see another handpicked selection of arena auditions. Much like Saturday’s installment there was a handful of potential stars and a whole heap of blah. Here’s what we thought of the few we did get to see more than just a fleeting glimpse of…

Andrea Faustini


We were a little worried we might not love Andrea as much without his pug sweater, but luckily for him and us he came sporting a pug shirt. We might love him. He'd brought along his lovely mama and papa all the way from Rome who waited backstage with tears in their eyes. Then he treated everyone to his rendition of ‘Try a Little Tenderness” and what a treat it was! Straight through to bootcamp he went, we can’t wait to see what pug inspired attire he wears next.

Before the next act took to the arena stage Simon, somewhat stupidly, announced he needed a wee. The devil inside Cheryl and Mel couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease his bladder and decided to reeeeeeeeeeally stretch out the next audition. A 7-page questionnaire of inquiries later Overload got around to singing…

Overload


No, no, no. Yes, yes yes!! We’re a little obsessed with this arena audition. Having only caught a brief glimpse of them in the room auditions it was nice to get a real meaty slice of the chaps. Obviously great friends, they chose to perform an original track; brave move! And it was a brave move that really paid off. After one listen we had the chorus firmly in our heads, several listens later (we’ve lost count how many) and we can proudly sing along word for word. 5 great looking guys and a catchy pop hit in the making, clearly they breezed on through to bootcamp. As long as they take Simon’s advice to be their own band they’ve got a bright future ahead.

Next we had a montage of less than successful auditions all falling flat in front of the brutal audience. Then along came Stevie…

Stevie Ritchie


The audience was still a little deadpan when he came out but he soon won them round and got them joining in with his version of 'Don't Stop Me Now'. He doesn’t have the best vocals by any stretch but he can certainly perform, even if it is with a tint of caravan park cheese. He perhaps shouldn’t go all David Brent in front of 5000 people again but for some reason it worked. Simon declared him Wembley’s new hero and sent him off to bootcamp.


Kayleigh Manners


Kayleigh really won around the judges in her previous audition with her understated guitar playing and sweet soulful voice. She set the bar high for herself going into this second arena round but the pressure got to her. After a stuttering start and a little pep talk from Cheryl she ditched the guitar and old Beatles tune, swapping them for a more acoustic Ellie Goulding version of Elton John's 'Your Song'. Mel thought her voice was amazing and Louis admired her frailty. She got the desired yes’s and we’ll hopefully be seeing a much more confident Kayleigh at bootcamp.

Jay James


We felt inappropriately in love with Jay during his room audition and now its reached new heights. His song of choice was Coldplay's 'Fix You' and he put everything into, passion, control, and most importantly a sprinkle of Jay James. It could quite easily have been his own song he was performing on that stage. He captivated not only everyone in the arena but also every one of us at home too, you couldn’t fail to be sat waiting on his every note. We can’t wait to see and hear so much more of Jay.

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