X Factor fever may have peaked when the TV show reached

a climax just before Christmas, but when the UK tour kicked

off at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Monday night, the mania

came back with a vengeance.

The evening kicked off with a lively rendition of the Black

Eyed Peas hit ‘I Got a Feeling’, sung by the eight most

popular finalists from the X Factor, including winner Joe McElderry, runner-up Olly Murs and rock chick Lucie Jones.

As the solo acts got going, Lloyd Daniels took to the stage first, showcasing his new brown hair and wowing the audience with his surprisingly good vocal performance of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’, which definitely had all of the young girls in the audience screaming. He also later sung a charming version of ‘Stand by Me’, just as he did on the ITV show.

With flames lighting the entire stage, Jamie ‘Afro’ Archer appeared next, looking the true rocker with his trademark lucky scarf tucked tightly into his jeans, and rocking the house with an outstanding version of Kings of Leon’s ‘Sex on Fire’. He maintained the high standard with another brilliant song, Christina Aguilera’s ‘Hurt’.

Welsh beauty, Lucie Jones, was next to the stage, singing the

classic ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ whilst strutting through the arena.

She blew the crowd away with her dazzling range and soulful

voice. Appealing to the younger members of the audience, Lucie

next sang the popular Disney film ‘Camp Rock’ track ‘This is Me’,

succeeding in getting everyone clapping and singing along.

Stealing the show, and surely what everyone was waiting for,

were the dynamic duo ‘Jedward’. They took to the stage firstly

singing their number two hit song ‘Ice Ice Baby’. Unfortunately,

there was no Vanilla Ice in sight, yet they still gave an incredible

performance, back flips and all. But no John and Edward

performance would be complete without their trademark version

of ‘Ghostbusters’ and they certainly did not disappoint as they

arrived by flying over the audience towards a giant inflatable

marshmallow man. It was surreal... and classic 'Jedward'.

Suave Danyl Johnson sang his first audition song which put him

up there with the favourites from word go, “With a Little Help From

My Friends” with assistance from two of his show buddies, Olly

Murs and Jamie Archer. The trio impressed all the ladies in the

house and had them up on their feet dancing. He then continued

to wow the Liverpool audience with his powerful version of Prince’s

‘Purple Rain’.

Young yummy mummy, Stacey Solomon, sparkled not only in her sequin floor-length gown, but also with her beautiful voice, singing Coldplay’s ‘Scientist’. Tears were flowing in some parts of the audience when she sang her second song, ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’.

The dapper Olly Murs was one of the show-stoppers, with his thoroughly entertaining and charismatic performances of ‘Twist and Shout’ and ‘Fool in Love’, complete with plenty of pyrotechnics and streamers.

This left X Factor 2009 winner Joe McElderry to close the show, with his number one hit ‘The Climb’ clearly showing how his voice carried him to victory in the final. He also gave a fantastic, exclusive version of Taylor Swifts ‘Love Story’ and a blasting, note-perfect rendition of Journey’s track ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.

He brought the show to an almighty close with every member of the audience on their feet, and anticipating ITV’s X Factor 2010 this autumn.

X Factor Live related stories:

Jedward talk to JMU >>

Pic gallery from Echo Arena >>

Why I gave up X Factor dream >>

X Factor Live show rocks Liverpool

Review by

Camilla Cole & Sophie Fairclough

Entertainment Reporters

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