16.3.14

The X Factor Live Tour - REVIEW

The X Factor Live Tour - Capital FM Arena - 15th March


We managed to get some last minute tickets for the Saturday night show at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, 5th row, right next to the stage. We thought we’d grabbed ourselves a great coup. That was until we arrived at the arena. Getting closer I uttered the words “it’s a bit quiet’, normally there’s a big train of people heading in the direction of the venue, but not tonight. Once inside and it was getting closer to show time I noticed none of the tiered seats were occupied! I was quite shocked, I’ve never seen the arena looking so empty, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived at a Tesco Mary concert by accident. Now, we’ve been told the previous night was a virtual sell out so we can only assume this had been put on as an extra date and it hadn’t quite sold as well as expected. Hardly the performers fault. Nottingham clearly only has an arena and a half full of X Factor fans in its vicinity.


The Stage

There’s not much or any real significance to mention about the stage, it was, quite literally, just a stage. There was the obligatory sets of stairs and mini runway, but that was it. Nothing else, not even the infamous clear box podium! I suppose it meant our eyes didn’t wander away from the acts but I’m not sure if that was entirely on purpose. Now, I’ve seen images from other nights of the X Factor tour and there has been some elements of staging, a bench and some street lights for example during one of Luke’s performance. Almost seems as though we got a bit of a watered down, bargain basement version of the live tour!


The Performers

Tamera Foster


Tamera opened the show, lowered to the stage from above. Upbeat and full of energy she gave it her all to get the crowd up on their feet and in the mood for an X Factor party. She appeared again several times over the course of the first and seconds halves, we got just the right amount of Tamera action. She delivered a balanced mixture of choreographed lively routines and simple, exquisite ballads. Everything about her, image, attitude, talent, scream superstar and now she's been signed by SYCO it's only a matter of time until she takes her place as the UK's very own diva.

Nicholas McDonald


We got plenty of Nicky action during the show, in fact him Sam C and Luke were barely ever off the stage. I wasn’t a huge fan of his ‘Candy’ performance during the X Factor final as I’ve always preferred his ballads, but seeing it in person completely changed my mind. He came across comfortable and assured, delivering the lively routine with ease. It was still however his powerful ballads that stole the show for Nicky, ‘Someone Like You’, ‘In the Arms of the Angels’ and ‘Flying Without Wings’ all completely flawless. There’s a huge difference in the Nicky we saw up close than the one on telly, his confidence is evident and his cheeky yet humble personality comes across perfectly.

Hannah Barrett


It seemed as though Hannah was one of the acts there just to fill the time between the others. On and off the stage in a flash we can only really remember her performing a handful of times. That being said when she was on stage the crowd really did love her, responding to her passion and power she held everyones attention for those few minutes. Appearing not quite as relaxed on stage as some of the others and despite a fantastic version of Skyfall, still not quite connecting with us.

Sam Callahan


We have a soft spot for Sam and after seeing him in person it may now have grown into a full blow crush. After the criticism of his vocals weeks after week during the series we weren’t sure what to expect from him but he looks a born star when he’s on the stage and live Sams’ vocals are great. There’s a lot of Callahan action throughout the show, solo, with Luke, with Luke and Nicholas, with everyone, we loved it. Our personal highlight we his version of ‘I won’t give up’ with Luke accompanying him on guitar, it was full of genuine passion and emotion, it’s as if he was back in the television studio singing for our votes, he’s have definitely got them. He’s also ridiculously good looking close up, with the right songs and direction Sam will be a huge star.

Abi Alton


We admit, we may have forgotten Abi was on the tour, and after being used sparingly during the show we could quite easily forget we’d even seen her. That would be the case if she wasn’t so damn fantastic. Two performances, understand, original, authentic and very Abi Alton. Her two little slots were a million miles away from the rest of the tour. Depending on whether you’re an Abi fan or not will entirely dictate as to whether you’re mesmerised into appreciative silence or heading to the bar whilst she’s on stage.

Rough Copy


Rough Copy, well two thirds of Rough Copy were the first act to fully get the crowd going. Whenever they were on stage they gave a performance that felt complete. Their stage presence is second to none and Joeys’ constant expression of sheer joy for what he’s doing is infectious. Seeing the temporary duo live completely changed our opinion on them, we always liked them, but we wavered slightly during the live shows and didn’t quite think they were being true to themselves, but in person you can see just how much work they put in and they look like true professionals.

Luke Friend


Another one who changed our opinion completely. We never really ‘got it’ with Luke (until the last few weeks of the show) but seeing him in person we finally did ‘get it’. The crowd adored him, particularly the screaming girls sat directly behind us, their reaction when Luke ‘looked at them’ showed just how much his fans love him. Much like Sam and Nicholas there was a great deal of Friend action throughout the show, not that we minded! He performs every song we wanted to hear, his version of ‘Skinny Love’ was perfect as was ‘kiss from a rose’. A natural on stage.

Sam Bailey


It was a long wait until we saw and heard our X Factor winner, it wasn’t until the final half an hour she graced the stage, but jeez it was well worth the wait. She’s head and shoulders above the rest. Sitting as close as we were we saw every ounce of effort and emotion she poured into each song. Not only is her voice world class but her personality is completely endearing, her ‘in between song chat’ was effortlessly funny and humble. She’s a bit good that Sam Bailey.


Overall it was a show full of talent but lacked a little something. Maybe it was the night we went, maybe we did get a watered down version due to it only being half full, quite disappointing if that is the case considering we paid the same amount as everyone else seeing the live tour. However the acts didn’t disappoint, their voices shone as did their character. There’s going to be some successful stars from the X Factor class of 2013.














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