Wednesday, December 17, 2014

X Factor UK 11 Wrap-Up: 25 Best Performances

34 Episodes. 105 Live Performances. 16 Finalists. 9 Sing-offs. 5 Deadlocks. 1 Stevi Ritchie. This was quite a season no? To be honest, I'm not sure how to rank this season compared to the previous ones, but I actually had fun watching and reviewing this season since Season 7 when Matt Cardle won. Sure, I tried last season, but I gave up at the mediocrity of it all. This year, it wasn't phenomenal, but it had enough talent to keep me glued the whole season.

So yes, just like every other reality singing shows in this blog, here's the a VERY subjective list of 25 best performances of the season.

25. Try A Little Tenderness
Paul Akister
Top 12

The arrangement was interesting and he sounded solid.  

24. Lady Marmalade
Fleur East
Top 12

Possibly the most entertaining and most consistent performance of that night. Good job!

23. A Fool In Love
Fleur East
Top 5

I was a bit iffy with the song choice, but Fleur made it sound current - despite the song being a musical fossil - and the presence she brought to it was fantastic.

22. Demons
Ben Haenow
Finale

The breaking of glass was a bit dramatic, but I actually didn't mind. His vocals were on point, I liked that his voice soared to that one specific high not at the end, and this actually showed how he would fit into modern rock, which is very smart. 

21. How Will I Know
Lauren Platt
Top 7

Not bad. It's not mind blowing by any means, but this was possibly her best performance in weeks. The beginning was just lovely, and she looked comfortable especially with the choreography.

20. Will You Be There
Fleur East
Top 9

This was a nice departure from the heavy production we usually get from Fleur. Solid vocals backed with a commanding presence.

19. If You Don't Know Me By Now
Paul Akister
Top 14

Strong vocal performance. 

18. Imagine
Lola Saunders
Top 14

There's both subtlety and power to her delivery that's pretty riveting.  

17. The Monster Mash
Only The Young
Top 11

Their best performance on the show! The vocals of the boys were good, but I'm still not a fan of the blonde's squeaky tone.

16. Mad World
Jay James
Top 11

Shaky start. Fantastic arrangement. Incredible final half.  

15. Man In The Mirror
Ben Haenow
Top 9

I wasn't so sure about the acapella part as he sounded like he was rushing the words, but when the music kicked in, it was sublime. 

14. Can't Hold Us
Fleur East
Finale

Look, her vocals weren't as clean as Andrea's or didn't soar as high as Ben's, but this was a very entertaining performance that came off every bit like a credible pop star. The production was unbelievable, and while there was really too much going on, it still felt right. 

13. Run
Stereo Kicks
Top 5

The staging was genius. The solos sounded on point, and the build up added dimension to their performance.

12. Changing
Jay James
Top 16

I was expecting another ballad from him and I'd probably punch my face to sleep, but this was a refreshing side of Jay. Fantastic.  

11. Let It Be/Hey Jude
Stereo Kicks
Top 12

This was a strong performance. The solos and duets at the beginning sounded lovely and the build up at the end gave it the dynamics it needed. 

10. Thinking Out Loud
Ben Haenow
Top 5

Not sure what Mel B was talking about because this was a solid performance. Sure, it wasn't Ed Sheeran, but he made it his own and that grit in his voice was divine.

09. Bang Bang
Fleur East
Top 8

True, she sounded a little out of breathe in parts, but I actually didn't mind. The rapping added a fantastic dynamics to the performance, the dancing was good, and the arrangement was interesting.

08. Earth Song
Andrea Faustini
Top 16

THE PASSION! Wow.  

07. Flashdance.. What A Feeling
Lauren Platt
Top 14

She hit a wobbly note, but everything else was just beautiful.  

06. Highway To Hell
Ben Haenow
Top 11

Solid rock vocals with a strong grit to pull off this incredibly hard song to sing. Good job.

05. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Jay James
Top 14

Brilliant arrangement. Good vocals. Palpable connection.

04. Chandelier
Andrea Faustini
Top 5

I was expecting him to crash and burn with this song choice, but his voice just soared higher and higher. The first part was perfection, and when he hit the chorus, I just gave up. Easily Andrea's best performance on the show. 

03. Jealous Guy
Ben Haenow
Top 14

The texture in his vocals gave this performance some dimensions that elevated the song to something exceptional. Plus, the passion was palpable. 

02. Uptown Funk
Fleur East
Top 4

She just proved here that she's a potential popstar in the making. From the staging, to the choreography, down to her vocals, this was incredible. 

01. Happy
Lauren Platt
Top 16

First half was a thing of beauty. The arrangement was genius. Her vocals impeccable. 

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