"It's a singing competition"?

[Mikl C]

Is it? The title would suggest that it's for an all round entertainer with a certain je ne sais quoi, non?
Does someone's superior dance talents make them better than a straight up singer?
Did Leona's sheer vocal prowess allow her to be relatively boring performance wise?

What do you think? Singing vs performance skills.

 

[benm]

I think judging by the previous winners including Leon it is and should remain a singing competition.It is all very well to have backing tracks, backing singers and pre-recorded vocals helping the acts so early on but to what end.To sustain any type of long term career it is important to actually be able to sing and carry a tune.It is all very well saying we want something quirky, different, original but from Cyndi Lauper to Lady Gaga who have those qualities they can at least sing.Plus how many past winners and contestants really have good performance skills.

 

[Yuke1976]

Alexandra is the only past winner who has nailed some big production numbers and won. Of course she is also an amazing vocalist.

I don't think Wagner will win if that's what you're getting at.

 

[citoig]

You have to be realistic though, benm, very few of the winners have been the best "singer" of their year. It's been the most popular all round act. Yes, being able to sing is important, but look at Alexandra's year. A lot of people would argue Ruth or Laura gave her a run for her money in the vocal stakes. What gave her the edge was her full performance (dancing and stage presence) that got her to the final. Same with JLS.

They've never hid the fact that the show is about that essential X Factor. There's no point being able to hit the notes if you can't hold people's attentions when you're doing it. (Look at Michelle McManus, and that was a singing contest).

 

[SBK]

This one gets wheeled out by Simon when he has a really strong vocal act... he used it to death against everyone else when he was mentoring Leona.

I think the Xfactor is the whole package, a singer is great but it's always good to have a proper decent performer.

 

[benm]

You have to be realistic though, benm, very few of the winners have been the best "singer" of their year. It's been the most popular all round act. Yes, being able to sing is important, but look at Alexandra's year. A lot of people would argue Ruth or Laura gave her a run for her money in the vocal stakes. What gave her the edge was her full performance (dancing and stage presence) that got her to the final. Same with JLS.

They've never hid the fact that the show is about that essential X Factor. There's no point being able to hit the notes if you can't hold people's attentions when you're doing it. (Look at Michelle McManus, and that was a singing contest).

I disagree I think in Leona, Alex and Joes years the best singer did win.Not just in terms of their vocal ability but versatility.Ruth and Laura had amazing voices without a doubt though.Rhydian got robbed though not sure what happened that year.

 

[Knightr634]

This one gets wheeled out by Simon when he has a really strong vocal act... he used it to death against everyone else when he was mentoring Leona.

I think the Xfactor is the whole package, a singer is great but it's always good to have a proper decent performer.

I agree. It is a singing competition - as apart from Leon (who I guess could sing, but his stage fright made him sound like a sheep knowing its about to go to the slaughter), brilliant singers have won the show. To think, we could have had Chico, Eoghan, Jedward or Ray win this show is frightening.

The X Factor looks for popstars though, and while there has always been your Mariah Carey's and Take That's (Alex, Leona and JLS) you also have your Bob the Builder and Tellytubbies (Jedward, Chico). Whatever your preference, the X Factor has made bona-fide popstars in Alex, Leona and JLS - if they had more backing then Joe, Diana Oli and Shayne could make it too

 

[Someboy]

It depends on the year, doesn't it? I don't think singing alone will win anyone the show this year, but it ha in the past.

 

[Knightr634]

It depends on the year, doesn't it? I don't think singing alone will win anyone the show this year, but it ha in the past.

It could if Matt or Rebecca win.

I'm gonna make a preditiction now and say the final 3 will be Matt, Aiden and Rebecca

 

[benm]

It depends on the year, doesn't it? I don't think singing alone will win anyone the show this year, but it ha in the past.

It could if Matt or Rebecca win.

I'm gonna make a preditiction now and say the final 3 will be Matt, Aiden and Rebecca

I agree the quirky types always fall mid way through.I think most viewers are more entertained by good vocals and a competent performance rather than poor vocals and lots of dancers, lights and a smoke machine.I think Matt, Treyc, Rebecca and Aiden (maybe even Mary) have the best chance of going all the way to the end.The big problem for Rebecca and Treyc will be Cheryl protecting Cher and making sure she gets the better song choices.

 

[citoig]

Honestly, I think Rebecca's biggest problem is herself. She's still far too nervous. She can sing wonderfully, but it just feels hollow at the moment. Alex managed to overcome less than wonderful song choices with Cheryl. Rebecca could too if she gained confidence (I actually think she could have done well with Footsteps tbh).

 

[Hyp-no-tize]

I find Rebecca quite lifeless. Even though there is a reasonably nice tone to her voice, she sounds the same in every performance. God help her if there's a rock week.

 

[Knightr634]

I find Rebecca quite lifeless. Even though there is a reasonably nice tone to her voice, she sounds the same in every performance. God help her if there's a rock week.

Funnily enough, I think she might come into her own if there is a rock week. A change of musical style might be whats needed.

 

[benm]

I find Rebecca quite lifeless. Even though there is a reasonably nice tone to her voice, she sounds the same in every performance. God help her if there's a rock week.

She could do Sweet Child of Mine, Alone, Every Rose has its Thorn. I would be more worried for her during Disco week.The song choice on Saturday for her was terrible it did not show what she was capable of at all.

 

[june]

You have to be realistic though, benm, very few of the winners have been the best "singer" of their year. It's been the most popular all round act. Yes, being able to sing is important, but look at Alexandra's year. A lot of people would argue Ruth or Laura gave her a run for her money in the vocal stakes. What gave her the edge was her full performance (dancing and stage presence) that got her to the final. Same with JLS.

They've never hid the fact that the show is about that essential X Factor. There's no point being able to hit the notes if you can't hold people's attentions when you're doing it. (Look at Michelle McManus, and that was a singing contest).

I disagree I think in Leona, Alex and Joes years the best singer did win.Not just in terms of their vocal ability but versatility.Ruth and Laura had amazing voices without a doubt though.Rhydian got robbed though not sure what happened that year.

Basing it on singing alone, I'd say Rachel was the best vocalist of series 5, followed by Alex. She pretty much blew everyone else away on the Hero recording. But she didn't have the likeability factor, so it's more than just about the singing.

And if it was purely a singing competition, Eoghan Quigg wouldn't have made the final.

 

[Hyp-no-tize]

You have to be realistic though, benm, very few of the winners have been the best "singer" of their year. It's been the most popular all round act. Yes, being able to sing is important, but look at Alexandra's year. A lot of people would argue Ruth or Laura gave her a run for her money in the vocal stakes. What gave her the edge was her full performance (dancing and stage presence) that got her to the final. Same with JLS.

They've never hid the fact that the show is about that essential X Factor. There's no point being able to hit the notes if you can't hold people's attentions when you're doing it. (Look at Michelle McManus, and that was a singing contest).

I disagree I think in Leona, Alex and Joes years the best singer did win.Not just in terms of their vocal ability but versatility.Ruth and Laura had amazing voices without a doubt though.Rhydian got robbed though not sure what happened that year.

Basing it on singing alone, I'd say Rachel was the best vocalist of series 5, followed by Alex. She pretty much blew everyone else away on the Hero recording. But she didn't have the likeability factor, so it's more than just about the singing.

And if it was purely a singing competition, Eoghan Quigg wouldn't have made the final.

Sorry but while I agree Rachel was a great singer, Alex is the standout on Hero. The note she hits when she sings "In time, you'll find a way" is amazing.

 

[mump boy]

rachel has a better voice but alex is about a million times better at singing

 

[Robsolete]

Rachel sounded terrible on Hero, like a foghorn.

I think it depends really. You can have the best voice ever, but if you don't have a likeable personality that people relate to, you'll never win. But no matter how good your personality is, if you can't sing then you won't either.

 

[stu]

Even last year would you not argue that Rachel Adediji (spelling?) or Lucie Jones had the best voices? Rachel blew me away on her last week with 'One' (better than TreyC's perfomance IMO) and Lucie Jones week 3 with 'My Bloody Valentine' was sensational. Joe always gave note perfect performances but I personally thought Rachel and Lucie were better vocalists.

 

[Maureen]

That's as maybe, but they were a) boring b) sadly lacking in Cheryl's support. It was always going to be 'her little popstar' who won it.