WATCH: ‘X Factor UK’s’ 4th Impact channels inner Christina Aguilera

Filipino sister act “4th Impact” chalked up another smooth and tenacious performance at the “X Factor UK” stage and survived the latest elimination during the show’s fourth live finals early Sunday (Manila time).

Realizing the “Love and Heartbreak” theme this week, the Cercado sisters Almira, Irene, Celina and Mylene became mini-Christina Aguileras as they sang and strut along the pop-funk song “Ain’t No Other Man.”

But despite the girl’s vocal thrills and slick moves, judge Simon Cowell found their chosen song not showing their personalities. “You have to bring out your individual personalities much more now.”

“At the moment, it’s so tight the four of you. I kinda want to get know you as individuals and I don’t think you’ve quite given the song yet to get that over,” Simon explained.

But he still described the group’s performance as “brilliant, professional, sassy” just like what they have been doing in the past live shows with their upbeat renditions.

Rita Ora, also one of the judges, remarked: “It was tight, it was professional, it was rehearsed.”

4th Impact’s mentor Chery Fernandez-Versini didn’t forget to come to the sisters’ rescue.

“Honestly, that wasn’t rehearsed. We had really tough week. They only got it yesterday. And I think because they are so professional and they are so tight always, sometimes it’s really easy to overlook the fact that they’ve come from halfway across the world, they are all the way from the Philippines, they are missing home. I have so much respect for you girls,” Cheryl said.

Judge Nick Grimshaw, meanwhile, was entertained. “That was proper entertainment from beginning to end. I think sometimes you are so sweet. But tonight felt like a bit nasty. It’s really, really entertaining.”

Mason Noise from the boys category was later voted off from the competition.

The remaining acts are Louisa Johnson, Lauren Murray, Che Chesterman, Reggie ‘N’ Bollie, Anton Stephans.

Another act will be eliminated on Monday. TVJ

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Edgier sound for One Direction

It feels like it’s been ages since guest judge Nicole Scherzinger came up with the wild idea of forming a boy band out of some of “The X Factor UK’s” male solo contenders, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik—who, as a group called One Direction, ended up placing third in the finals of the popular talent search in 2010.

Fast-forward three years later: The boys are now global superstars, and Harry has just become Taylor Swift’s latest ex—and, reportedly, next object of musical inspiration (and derision)!

Musically, however, they’re taking another step in the right direction: “Midnight Memories,” the pop quintet’s third album, debuts on top of the Billboard 200 this week—making 1D the first group since The Monkees (in the late ’60s) to reach No. 1 with its first three albums!


Pop-rock coating

The repertoire’s pop-rock coating—from the relentlessly catchy carrier track, “Best Song Ever,” and the rousing arena dazzler, “Midnight Memories,” to the grungy number, “Little Black Dress”—makes the boys seem older, edgier and more in-charge (they cowrote a good number of the tracks).

You’ll get a kick out of spotting “Diana’s” melodic parallels to The Police’s “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” the subtle harmonies of “Story of My Life,” and Zayn’s sublime high notes in “Right Now” and “You & I.”

Unlike many young acts these days, One Direction is in no hurry to sound more mature than they are. For the most part, the lyrics are alternately simple, insubstantial, straightforward or arbitrary—but, there are tunes (“Half A Heart”) that will make you sit up and go hmm!

But, the boys aren’t ready to alienate their young fans—so, part of their hefty lineup includes tunes with a tweener-hooking sensibility.

They’re served well by their sturdy pipes and talent-search-honed musicality: It’s hard to resist the accessible rock sheen of “Better Than Words,” the folk-pop smolder of “Through The Dark” and “Happily,” and the thematically wistful “Something Great”—then, judge for yourself if it was indeed written by Harry for Taylor Swift!

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

'X Factor' the musical to hit London stage in 2014

LONDON - Creator of "The X Factor", Simon Cowell, has given his approval for his hit TV singing competition to head to the London stage.

Syco Entertainment, Cowell's joint venture with Sony Music, is teaming up with Stage Entertainment UK to bring a musical based on the TV singing contest to the stage next year, the partners announced on Friday.

The show, to be called "X Factor - It's Time To Face The Musical!" will hit London's West End theatre district in early 2014 with its creators calling it an "affectionate poke" at the hugely successful TV show created by Cowell.

It is being written by British comedian Harry Hill with music from Steve Brown and will be directed by Sean Foley.

Production company Stage Entertainment UK, behind such hits as "Oliver!", "Hairspray" and "Singin' in the Rain", said in a statement that the new musical would follow the fictional character Chenice on her unlikely journey to stardom.

Described as "the only girl in the world who has never heard of The X Factor", she stumbles across an audition queue with her talking dog, an incident that changes her life forever.

Cowell has made a fortune from "The X Factor" and similar television talent shows, and is also a household name in his native Britain and the United States for appearing as the acerbic judge on several of his shows. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com