X Factor Live, week 4: Loose interpretations of the theme ‘Halloween’

Someone needs to send the X Factor judges a memo. Last time, their Club Classics week contained some of the least dance-related songs ever written. This week, after what I’m […]


Someone needs to send the X Factor judges a memo. Last time, their Club Classics week contained some of the least dance-related songs ever written. This week, after what I’m sure was a long brainstorming session, Halloween was the chosen theme. The makers of the show should take note: adding “spooky” mist does not make the show Halloween themed.

As the weeks progress, the competition becomes less about singing and more about the inevitable sniping which comes when a group of egotists are forced to interact for days on end. I am primarily talking about the judges. Christopher, who remains in the competition despite being more Butlins than Wembley Stadium, ignited the feud. After the cheesy performance, Tulisa questioned Gary about the song choice, to which he maturely responded that he was offended by her “fag ash breath”. While millions of viewers eagerly lapped up Tulisa’s humiliation, the interaction proved that the show has become more about the judges than the acts.

That’s not to say that the singers didn’t have their own diva moments, as this week saw them attend the premiere of Skyfall. Apparently, all you needed to do to earn an invite was audition for a talent show. I’ll bear that in mind for next year. Ella was the most popular amongst attendees, with Kelly Brook and director Sam Mendes naming her as their favourite. She is one of the strongest singers in the pack, but her rendition of Evanescence’s ‘Bring Me To Life’ didn’t wow me like her early performances. Unless she challenges herself, she’s in danger of becoming another boring girl with a nice voice.

Jahmene had the most impressive celebrity encounter of the night, after being invited to perform for Samuel L. Jackson, the man who fought snakes on a plane and made even John Travolta cool by association. Jahmene is known for his nerves, but he gave a great show for the world’s biggest badass, and his confidence was on a high. He performed ‘Killing Me Softly’, a song with the most tenuous connection to Halloween possible, and won unanimous praise.

The final star encounter came for James. During the week, he performed alongside Labrinth in Manchester. While that’s rather lackluster compared to the almighty Samuel L. Jackson, it was a chance for him to perform for a real audience, not the preteens who populate the X Factor crowd. On the night, James took on Eurythmics’ ‘Sweet Dreams’. Despite wearing fifty times the recommended amount of eyeliner, he was the only act to channel Halloween, other than Rylan’s disturbing rendition of ‘I’m Horny’.

The first blood was shed in the Battle of the Boy Bands as Union J found themselves in the bottom two. Their vocals are dodgy, but their faces are anything but, so I didn’t expect to see them in the bottom so soon. However, they managed to scrape through as Jade Ellis was given the axe.