Have they sung themselves into a cul-de-sac? Kingsland Road fall victim to the dreaded flash vote... but Hannah Barrett turns in a stunning performance on The X Factor
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Last week it was all about the eighties, and there wasn't a dry ice in the house as Lorna Simpson became the first hopeful to get the axe from The X Factor.
This week the dreaded flash vote came back into play, and it was Kingsland Road who sung themselves into a cul-de-sac on Saturday evening when they were named as the next act to sing for survival.
The band turned in a lively rendition of Bruno Mars hit Marry You - but it wasn't quite enough, despite praise from the judging panel.
Gutted: Kingsland Road discover that they will sing for their survival on Sunday night's show after falling victim to the dreaded flash vote on Saturday evening
Defiant: Mentor Gary Barlow reminds everyone that James Arthur was in the bottom two before going on to win the show last year
'James Arthur was in the sing-off last week,' said their mentor, Gary Barlow after the result was announced.
Kingsland Road's unveiling as the next act to sing for survival comes after X Factor bosses were accused of covering up poor vocals by using backing tracks.
The East London band and teenager Sam Callahan are amongst those thought to have been assisted with the aide of pre-recorded vocals during last week's show.
'It's obvious that producers were worried that Sam and Kingsland Road were going to sound dire,' a source told The Sun. 'But because they look the part a real effort was made to boost the vocals with a prominent vocal backing track.'
Earlier that night love and heartache was on the agenda, a theme close to married prison officer Sam Bailey's heart.
The singer was first up with Adele classic Make You Feel My Love, a song she dedicated to doting husband Craig - the man she described as her 'one and only love.'
Here we go again: Judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh return for love and heartache week
Le's get things started: Dermot O'Leary introduces the judges on Saturday eening
Sam looked elegant in a sweeping red gown as she performed the track accompanied by a simple piano - but the performance was all about her controlled vocal.
'You're making a rod for your own back,' said Gary Barlow. 'Very stripped back - it was a really fantastic performance. Well done.'
Sitting to his right, Nicole Scherzinger shook her head in disagreement.
'That performance left me lukewarm,' she said. 'I like her, but I don't like that song. I like her as a big power-singer.'
First up: Sam Bailey opened the show with a version of Adele hit Make You Feel My Love
Thumbs up: The singer won rave reviews from the judging panel
Still buzzing from last week's appraisal by Ellie Goulding, East Londoners Kingsland Road came next.
'Good job, you look super cute,' said Nicole after their performance. 'I thought you sounded good as a choral group - but Gary, where were the lead vocals?'
The Take That front-man was put on the back foot, but Louis Walsh jumped to his defense.
'Me and Gary know more about boy bands than anyone else on this panel!' he boasted, a claim that had Sharon Osbourne shrieking with laughter.
Energetic: Kingsland Road take to the stage with a cover of Marry You by Bruno Mars
East End boys: The Kingsland Road boys were on form, but it wasn't enough to save them from the dreaded flash vote
They've got company: The East Londoners were joined onstage by a troupe of female dancers
Feeling good: But the expressions would be very different later that night
The Irishman had a little more defending to do when young Scotsman Nicholas McDonald took to the stage with Robbie Williams' She's The One.
'You have a beautiful voice, you really do,' raved Gary. 'You need to just stand there with one light on you and sing because your voice is excellent, well done.'
'Whenever you sing it just melts my heart,' added Nicole. 'Not only is your voice easy on the ears but you're easy on the eye.
'You're my baby Buble!' Declared Louis.
He's the one: Young Scotsman Nicolas McDonald performed a Robbie Williams classic on Saturday evening
Rousing: Nicholas won praise from the judges for this stripped back performance
With that rapturous appraisal still hanging in the air it was over to supermarket worker Abi Alton.
The unassuming teenager admitted she was terrified ahead of last week's show, but those nerves were not in evidence when she took to the stage with a stripped back version of Kylie Minogue hit Can't Get You Out Of My Head.
'Not crazy about this week I prefer you behind the piano,' said Louis. 'I can't get you out of my head... for all the wrong reasons.'
Lady in red: Abi Alton opted to step away from the piano for her latest performance
Can't get her out of my head: Teenager Abi Alton tried to win the judges over with her performance of the Kylie Minogue hit
It's a fail: The teen failed to impress the judges with her stripped back version of Kylie's hit
Mixed response: Supermarket worker Abi's performance received a mixed response from the judging panel on Saturday evening
Gary added: 'I did feel musically it was a bit sleepy. There was something missing tonight. Not the greatest song choice but I am your biggest fan.'
After finding herself pitted against Lorna Simpson in last weekend's sing-off, van driver Shelley Smith came out with all guns blazing, performing a distinctive version of Beyonce's Single Ladies.
The audience at Fountain Studios were on their feet, but the judging panel were divided,.
I'm not sure I would've chosen this for you, it really wasn't for me,' said Gary.
'I'm not gonna lie, it was a little... shhweired,' said Nicole. 'I know how hard it is to dance and sing and work the stage but you gave it your all.'
All guns blazing: Shelley Smith had a lot to prove after ending up in last weeks bottom two
Put a ring on it: Shelley attempted to impress the judges with Beyonce hit Single Ladies
Lively: But Shelley Smith's performance divided the judging panel on Saturday evening
With pregnant SeSe falling sick during rehearsals Miss Dynamix were given an automatic pass to the third week, meaning Sam Callahan was next up.
The teen's performances have consistently divided the judging panel, but the teenager impressed with Jason Mraz hit I Won't Give Up.
'Fair play to you. Last week you got a bit of battering from me and Nicole vocally,' said Gary. 'Well done for taking a risk - massive improvement on last week.'
'I definitely agree with Gary,' added Nicole. 'The ones who remain in this competition are brave and bold and you are brave and bold.'
Big night: Sam Callahan won praise for his performance of Jason Mraz hit I Won't Give Up
Highs and lows: But Sam Callahan fared well on Saturday evening
High praise: He's often divided the judges, but Sam Callahan won praise from the panel on week two
Tamera Foster - at 16 the youngest contestant on this year's show- had a lot to prove following a difficult week.
The Gravesend girl was forced to make a grovelling apology to show producers after she was caught shoplifting at a local Boots store in July.
Up on stage she attempted she completed a difficult week with enthusiastic praise from the judges with a performance of Labrinth ballad Beneath Your Beautiful.
'Ever time I see you I think Whitney, Rihanna, Leona Lewis,' raved Louis. 'You've got everything.'
'For the first time tonight the public are gonna see what we've all seen as judges, and that's a superstar,' added Gary.
Plenty to prove: Tamera Foster, at 16 the youngest contestant on this year's show, has endured a difficult week following her shoplifting apology to X Factor producers
Belting it out: Tamera Foster turns in an impressive performance at Fountain Studios in London on Saturday evening
Beautiful: Tamera ended a difficult week with glowing praise from the judging panel for her performance of Labrinth hit Beneath Your Beautiful
Pointing it out: Tamera is in high spirits following her performance of the Labrinth hit Beneath Your Beautiful
'It was so controlled, less was more, the intro...everything was just as powerful as your big high notes,' said mentor Nicole. 'It was gorgeous.'
High praise, but it was night of light and shade for the contestants and Kimberley Walsh doppelganger Luke Friend won less enthusiastic responses for his rendition of Passenger single Let Her Go.
'I have an awful soft spot for you,' said Sharon. 'I think you're quite fabulous, but I want to ask you a question Louis, why the boat?'
'Because he's sailing through to next week,' said Louis.
Without a paddle: The judges were unsure about tousle-haired Luke Friend's use of stage props
No edge: Gary criticised Luke's performance for its lack of bite
He's no passenger: Luke performed Passenger hit Let Her Go
Still smiling: Luke Friend is in a cheerful mood after a mixed responses from the judging panel on Saturday evening
It was a smart response, but Gary disagreed. 'You didn't have an edge tonight,' he said. 'I like the rock side of you. I want to see the rock side of you next week.'
Having been given Phil Collins during week one, urban trio Rough Copy were charged with a difficult task in making Backstreet Boys hit I Want It That Way a little more credible - but somehow they pulled it off.
'You took a Backstreet Boys song and turned it into a Boyz II Men song,' said Nicole.
'Another faultless performance,' added Louis. 'There has to be a place in the charts for you guys.'
Tough task: Rough Copy were charged with a difficult task in making backstreet Boys hit I Want It That way a little less cheesy on Saturday evening
Taking the stage: The urban trio work their way through the boy band classic
Pulling it off: The band impressed the judging panel with their version of the Backstreet Boys hit
You're having a laugh: The band enjoy some post-performance banter with host Dermot O'Leary
In her pre-song VT Hannah Barrett talked about her insecurities as one of the 'biggest girls in the competition,' but taking to the stage she also turned in one of the night's biggest performances with a rendition of Beautiful by Christina Aguilera.
'I loved the performance, it was powerful,' said Louis.
'That was magnificent,' added Sharon. 'I just wanna seen happy Hannah from now on. Magnificent.'
'I'm on the edge of my seat when I hear yo,' admitted Gary. 'The intonation that you sing with, you can't actually teach that.'
The X Factor continues on Sunday evening, ITV1.
Mesmerising: Hannah Barrett performed Christina Aguilera hit Beautiful
Smashing it: Hannah Barrett performs Christina Aguilera hit Beautiful for the judging panel on Saturday evening
Someone's pleased: Hannah enjoys a chat with Dermot after a rousing performance on Saturday night
Plenty to smile about: Hannah's performance was greeted with rave responses from the judges
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2467951/Kingsland-Road-fall-victim-dreaded-flash-vote--Hannah-Barrett-turns-stunning-performance-The-X-Factor.html#ixzz2iDJeJdr1
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