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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