HomeTVThe X Factor 2016 week 1 live show recap

The X Factor 2016 week 1 live show recap

The X Factor 2016 live shows started tonight on ITV. Following auditions, bootcamp and judges houses, the final 12 acts are now leaving their faiths in the hand of the public, who now decides who stays and who leaves the competition. The mentors will lead their acts through the competition until one is crowd winner of The X Factor 2016.

The judges are now mentoring their acts, Simon the girls, Nicole the boys, Louis the groups and Sharon the over 25s. This week the contestants will be singing songs that represent them as artists.

5 After Midnight

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The song: I Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake

Our verdict: 5 After Midnight were up first and sang Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop The Feeling. The boys started off their performance from the crowd and looked really comfortable singing in front of thousands. I thought the band’s vocals weren’t amazing but their stage presence was amazing. The boys did a great job.

The comments: Sharon said their energy was amazing, Nicole thought it was a great way to kick of the live shows. Simon also added that they had set the bar for the competition.

Samantha Lavery

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The song: Impossible – Shontelle

Our verdict: Next up was seventeen year old Samantha Lavery, who opted for ballad Impossible as her introductory track. Samantha was a bit shouty but she gave strong performance. I thought the song was a good fit for her voice.

The comments: Louis thought it was amazing and she looked like a star, Sharon was wondering where Samantha had been hiding all those years whilst Nicole said she was a real warrior.

Saara Aalto

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The song: Let it Go – Frozen

Our verdict: Kooky Saara Aalto was up next and I was curious to see what she would pick as her first song choice. Suprisingly she chose to sing power song Let It Go and she clearly wanted to show her vocal range and it worked a treat. She smashed that performance.

The comments: Louis thought it was a brilliant song choice and that she had a great voice, Nicole said Saara looked like an amazing ice queen on stage and her performance was dramatic. Simon thought the performance was visually incredible and she sounded amazing. Mentor Sharon said she was proud of her.

Ryan Lawrie

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The song: Perfect – One Direction

Our verdict: Singing from the boys category first was Ryan Lawrie, who sang One Direction’s Perfect. The song choice was indeed perfect and suited Ryan’s voice. I thought he looked great on stage and looked like a popstar.

The comments: Louis agreed that Ryan looked like a popstar whilst Sharon said he looked really sweet. Simon said the performance was theatrical but Nicole completely disagreed and said she was proud of Ryan.

Gifty Louise

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The song: That’s My Girl – Fifth Harmony

Our verdict: Gifty Louise opted for an upbeat track, That’s My Girl. She held the stage like a pro but I didn’t think the song suited her. That being said the performance was amazing.

The comments: Sharon said she was very current with her look and song choice and Nicole thought she was unique but needed to blossom more.

Relley C

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The song: Praise You – Faith Hill

Our verdict: Relley C was up next representing the overs category and sang Praise You, which I thought suited her like a glove. I also thought the rap in the middle was a great touch to the track. It was one of the strongest performances of the night.

The comments: Louis said Relley C deserved to be on stage and that she had soul, Simon said that tonight he finally discovered who she was and loved her energy.

Matt Terry

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The song: You don’t Own Me – Grace

Our verdict: Up next was Matt Terry, who sang You Don’t Own Me and his performance was a big hit with the crowd. Louis said it was incredible and it was the performance of the night so far.

The comments: Sharon thought it was a brilliant song choice and pointed out that his mentor was about to take her clothes off at which point Simon requested an encore, he also thought that he was great and loved his performance.

Freddy Parker

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The song: Killing me Softly – Fugees

Our verdict: Freddy Parker sang a stripped down version of Killing Me Softly on the piano. He reminded me a bit of Sam Smith and then when the beat picked up he seemed more in his element.

The comments: Simon thought the song title was appropriate and he didn’t think it was a good idea to go for an upbeat version of the track. Mentor Nicole disagreed and said the performance was brilliant.

Bratavio

Thames/ Syco EntertainmentThe song: Boom Boom Boom / Barbie Girl (Vengaboys / Aqua)

Our verdict: It wouldn’t be The X Factor without a crazy act and duo Bratavio were there to entertain. Their performance was the most colourful of the night but their vocals weren’t amazing. Still the mash up of Boom Boom Boom and Barbie Girl was a great idea.

The comments: Sharon said that if she’d had kids with Louis they would look like the duo and that they were really fabulous. Nicole said that they brought it.

Emily Middlemas

Thames/ Syco EntertainmentThe song: Closer – The Chainsmokers

Our verdict: Singer song-writer Emily Middlemas was up next as one of the favourite contestants this year I couldn’t wait to see what she would pick as her song choice. She decided to sing Closer by The Chainsmokers, which I thought was surprising but worked. Her performance was brilliant and she sounded great live.

The comments: Louis thought she sounded like a recording artist and Sharon said it was wonderful.

Honey G

Thames / Syco EntertainmentThe song: California Love –  2Pac

Our verdict: After the break it was time to see what Honey G would pick as her song. She came blazing onto the stage complete with gold track suit. I thought her version of California Love and the performance really didn’t disappoint. Honey G was on fire and got the full back up of the crowd.

The comments: Louis thought she was great and she would get a record deal. Nicole said that 2 Pac would be turning in his grave right now but Simon said he loved it. That marked the end of all performances of the night.

The X Factor 2016 will be back on Sunday night at 7pm when the two acts with the lowest score will be sent home.

Sarah Bargiela
Sarah Bargiela
Sarah aka Bargi is the Assistant Editor and Music Editor for Entertainment Focus (EF).

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