X Factor 2011 – THE FINAL!!!

What an emotional rollercoaster, it always is for me (and before you say “get a life”, I said it myself so save ya breath!)

Opening Group Number

 “Greatest Day” – So nice to hear a group number sung live! Three very worthy contenders in the final! I really loved their version of this brilliant Take That song. They all looked every inch the superstar and what was great to see is all of them hold an arena with such command. This had me welling already, just to point out. I know, I really need help; I’m always like this on final night!

Marcus Collins

“Hey Ya” – Marcus looked every inch the superstar in Wembley Arena, what an entrance. This was a brave song choice because of the singing / rap nature of the original song. Brilliant stage production for with a “catch me if you can” feel to it. Marcus has a really distinctive voice and nice falsetto! He really worked and used the stage, great all round performance! Well done!

Little Mix

“You Got The Love” – I loved it, these girls have grown so much in this competition! Such competent individual vocals and I think it’s only right that lead vocals should be shared between these girls. Perri has got such an amazing voice, having said that. She has a fantastic tone and richness to her voice. All of their voices blend and complement each other perfectly! Brilliant song choice, Tulisa needs such credit for her song choices for Little Mix!

Amelia Lily

“Ain’t No Other Man” – This was an amazing vocal from Amelia Lily as always, but there was something missing for me. My genuine feeling was that she knew that she would go tonight. This girl has a set of pipes, though there’s no doubt! I’m not sure that this was a good song choice for her, as competent as she was singing it. It was more like being at a gig of hers in a pub, rather than Wembly.

JLS / One Direction

“She Makes Me Wanna / What Makes You Beautiful” – I have to say I loved this collab! I like JLS’s upbeat numbers and more this one than any. The only thing is that they really get on me t*ts apart from Marvin he seems alright, but Aston, give me strength! One Direction are my guilty pleasure, there I’ve said it. They put on a good live performance I have to say, the mash up at the end was great! Bravo boys!

Marcus Collins feat. Gary Barlow

“Always A Woman” – Drop the single mother act, it really gets boring. Soz! I have to say I thought it was a beautiful tribute to his ma though; words to the song are nice. Gary was faultless, as was Marcus who was beautifully in harmony with him. I was a bit dubious about this song choice, but it worked nicely for Marcus. Well done!

Little Mix feat. Tulisa

“Empire State Of Mind / If I Ain’t Got You” – Man Tulisa, you got GAME! Loved these song choices, fantastic! I’m glad that Tulisa got a time to shine because I think there’ve been a lot of haters who didn’t give her credit for her talent. Harmonies were brilliant and the girls shone like the superstars that they are. The girls still look like rabbits in headlights when they finish their performances and I like that about them, no idea how great they are! BOOM!

Amelia Lily feat. Kelly Rowland

“River Deep, Mountain High” – This is a great song, but again it was all a bit just watching a gig in a pub! I can’t take away that she sang it amazingly, better than her mentor, it has to be said! I feel like this was another defeatist performance, and again I really got the impression that she knew she was going. Sadly, the controversy that surrounded the HMV blunder with the pre single ordering of her only saw a bit of an unwarranted backlash.

Leona Lewis

“Hurt” – Never more of an apt name for that song, because Christ did it hurt my ears! Her overuse of vibrato and the out of tune piano at the beginning was nauseating! I have to say I completely lost interest in the song the more it went on and was in search of razorblades which I contemplated only I needed to get a shave the next day. Whopper of a voice, gave me a whopper head ache. Soz Leona, no likey, no lighty!

Michael Buble

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Thank GOD someone sang a Christmas song! I loved this, Mr Buble  thank you for bringing Christmas to the X Factor. A brilliant voice and I even overlooked the dad dancing, he’s just boss!

PUBLIC VOTE

T’ra Amelia Lily – I think that the public made the right decision to put Amelia Lily in 3^rd place. She was definitely out performed by Marcus and Little Mix. I’m sure she has a bright future ahead of her though!

Group Song

“We Found Love / Party Rock Anthem / On The Floor / Moves Like Jagger / Born This Way / Edge Of Glory” – What a medley from our finalists! Brilliant! What was better is that Frankie was replaced by Goldie, poetic justice! It was brilliant to see what I think have been a great final 12 this year, I just can’t wait for the tour (an’ wha’!!!)

Marcus Collins

“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” – I do wish he’d have picked a different song than this. It just kept Marcus in that bracket that I really don’t think he should be in. There’s no doubt he put on a fantastic show and was really on the money with his vocals, he has done Liverpool SO proud! Scouse Factor!

Little Mix

“Don’t Let Go” – Oh WOW! I really loved this song, a very powerful all round feel to this song and brilliant entrance. This song was a perfect showcase for the strength of their individual and group vocals! They are such polished performers in such a short space of time, it’s complete magic. I was gearing myself up to the end of the song with the acapella harmonies, they just melt me. I’m a sucker for harmonies (spare me the jokes!); AMAZE BALLS!

Marcus Collins

“Last Christmas” – My Christmas karaoke favourite and an absolute classic. Marcus sang it so well with emotion and soul, brilliant performance! Representing Liverpool so well, well done!

Little Mix

“Silent Night” – Beautiful choice of song for this section of the show and always one chosen to showcase vocal competence, and MAN did it do that. I was in floods again by this point, by the way……. tissues please…..

Westlife

“What About Now” – What about shut up and split up already?! Sorry to all you Westlife fans out there but give me strength! I think after Leona last night I wanted a bit of cheer! Give them their due, they mixed it up a bit and left the stools at home and were just with mic stands……… so brave and inventive….. yawn…… next!

Marcus Collins

“Cannonball” – A really nice performance of song, he gave every bit of emotion into this performance. It must be such an emotional thing to realise that the competition has come to an end, whether you win or not. I love this song and Marcus sang it so well, exactly how it should be sung. Gary welled up at the end, yep that kicked me off again!

Little Mix

“Cannonball” – I was intrigued to see how this worked with a group singing it, but these girls seem to make everything work and it’s no coincidence of course. Again, the individual and group vocals were amazing and it genuinely seemed like the girls individually stepped right up the mark they needed to for the final, as they have each week. I can’t offer enough praise for these girls and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Coldplay

“Charlie Brown / Paradise” – there’s not much I can say about Coldplay, they completely speak for themselves. They’re one of our best musical exports and amazing live!

THE PUBLIC VOTE

THE WINNER LITTLE MIX! 

What worthy winners, I have been championing these girls for weeks and weeks. They completely deserve to win the competition and have completely smashed it this weekend and in each live show. I am delighted for them and excited to see what the future holds for these girls!

RUNNER UP

MARCUS COLLINS

Marcus has represented our great city of Liverpool so well throughout this competition and has had the whole of Merseyside supporting you now and throughout what is no doubt to be a very bright career! Congratulations!

Liverpool has been dominating these X Factor Finals for a good few years and ensuring Liverpool maintains its roots as a musical talent capital. We’ve had Ray Quinn, Rebecca Ferguson, Craig Colton and Marcus Collins.

So that’s it folks, X Factor is over for another year, hope you’ve enjoyed my blog and I’ll catch y’all soon!

Merry Christmas to everyone and wishing you all happiness, health and wealth for 2012 from me and all at SEEN magazine………….

Ho, ho, ho!

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 About the Author 

 Michael is 28 and lives with his partner Denis in Liverpool City Centre. Michael is a social worker having qualified from Liverpool John Moores University last year.

He likes the usual wining and dining with Denis, as well as going out with his mates around Liverpool City Centre and Lark Lane for drinks and the odd meal in the mix sometimes!