Malta | X Factor Live Show 2 - Find out what happened!
The X Factor Malta live shows kicked off last week - with us all getting one step closer to finding out who will be crowned the winner and therefore chosen to represent Malta in Tel Aviv at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Last week, Eurofan favourite Franklin Calleja and sister duo Kayati were the first acts eliminated and in show two - two more contestants will be eliminated. Let's find out what went down in Valletta on throwback night!
Last weeks bottom 3 sing-off survivor - girl group Xtreme - opened the show with a showstopping peformance of Michael Jackson's 'They Don't Care About Us'. The judges absolutely loved it and we have to agree - the slight problems with the harmonies from last week were completely solved. We're worried they may not be able to bounce back from last weeks bottom 3 in the vote however that performance was fantastic and played to their strengths. We will be keeping our fingers crossed for the girls!!
She closed the show last week and now she's on second. Ready made popstar Kelsey Bellante gave us a reggae/rap hybrid with Bob Marley's 'Could You Be Loved' and had us all up dancing! A colourful and vibrant performance where the rap was definitely the best part. Judges weren't 100% sold on her singing and felt at times the vocal lacked the power needed however there is no disputing that Kelsey is an absolute star. Another fantastic performance.
Next to perform was Owen Leuellen - the X Factor Malta's answer to G-Eazy. Last week he really left us shocked at how good he was and really impressed everybody. He came back and once again gave us an incredible performance - this time of throwback banger 'Boom! Shake The Room' by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (Will Smith). The stage show looked as incredible as he sounded. Another show stopper performance - the competition is getting tighter and tighter and you would be a fool to rule Owen out of winning it all. We agree with Alexandra (who by the way was recently reported by Maltese media as being the 'real winner' of X Factor Malta and we've loved her this series) when she said that the real
First of the Overs, Ben Purplle was up next once again joined on stage by his trusty guitar. He performed 'Yesterday' by The Beatles. No doubting that the emotions conveyed were fantastic - with his mentor Ray sounding very teary giving his comments after the performance. Not always do you need a huge stage show, Ben's advantage comes from being able to perform splendidly with just him and a simple performance. Vocally fantastic, Ben is definitely somewhat of a dark horse!
Second girl group was up fifth ... 4th Line! I may have trained up as a weatherman with a Meteorology degree so 'It's Raining Men' by The Weather Girls holds a special place in my heart. Inevitably, this means I absolutely adored it! Inevitably it was fun, they showed us a different side to them with this performance - lots of dancing. A definite change in style from the 'vocal soul group' they've been presented as to date but that isn't a bad thing. An inspired choice!
The second over - Petra - performed next - singing Etta James' sultry classic 'I Just Want To Make Love To You'. Once again - Petra showed just how strong of a vocalist she is and this song gave her a chance to give a lighter performance - allowing her to move around a little and give it more of a full-blown performance. Vocally we preferred last week however the girl has pipes! A strong performance and she looked like an absolute queen sat on her throne - very impressive!
Luke Chappell was up next making us all feel very old by singing the Plain White T's 'Hey There Delilah' on a throwback week. Last week he mesmerised us all with an original song which really connected with the judges, viewers and us here in Eurovoxx. This week we agree with the judges again - but this time that he looked nervous and his vocals were notably not at the standard they usually are. He's assured us that if he gets through he will give it 1000% performance next week so hopefully he gets the chance to show us what he's capable of!
From the youngest boy in the competition to the youngest girl ... Nicole Frendo took on the HUGE Prince hit 'Purple Rain' - infamous for being a very vocally demanding song. Mentor Ira Losco said her vocals were effortless and we have to agree - she gave a flawless performance of a difficult song and looked very natural on stage whilst doing so! Once again Nicole delivers a fantastic performance definitely making her one to watch for the title.
The penultimate performance came from Norbert who sung 'The Wild Boys' by Duran Duran. It was an interesting song choice for him who in the past has always stuck to ballads which he has performed well at. This gave him the chance to really perform but we aren't completely sold ... well done to him for not playing it safe however it was potentially the weakest we have seen him so far. The judges agreed that unfortunately a performance that could rival Paul Oskar's big Eurovision moment was not the standout moment that Norbert needed to give at this stage of the competition.
Closing the show is favourite to win Michela Pace! Singing Gabrielle Aplin's piano version of Frankie Goes to Hollywood classic 'The Power of Love' and ... just wow! The crowd chanting her name during the entirety of the judges comments is testament to just how amazing of a performance that was. She's the favourite to win for a reason and once again she has shown us just why she could well be the one to beat!
After all 10 acts performed, a short interval to allow for voting took place and then we got the results. The bottom placed act in the voting will be immediately sent home and then 8th and 9th in the vote will engage in a sing-off for survival, with the judges voting to eliminate one of the two.
The lowest vote receiver and first out is ... Xtreme making us here at Eurovoxx HQ very very sad!
And that meant that Ben Purplle and 4th Line had to take part in a sing-off. First up was Ben singing 'Iris' a song that once again he was able to connect with well. The final group left in the competition 4th Line was up next and took on Whitney Houston classic 'Queen of the Night' which they gave it all with soulful harmonies.
In a vote of 2-2 - taking it to deadlock - 4th Line was sent home meaning the last of Alexandra Alden's Groups have now been eliminated.
The eight remaining contestants who are all now semi-finalists are...
The Girls:
Kelsey Bellante
Michela Pace
Nicole Frendo
The Boys:
Luke Chappell
Norbert
Owen Leuellen
The Overs:
Ben Purplle
Petra
Vote for your favourite here:
Do you think the right acts went in tonight's show? Let us know in the comments below or via our social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube.
