The Judges Auditions stage is over and now Malta‘s Eurovision hopefuls must face the rigours of the X Factor Malta‘s Bootcamp round. The stage kicked off this weekend and the judges were expecting the acts to have lifted their game from the audition performance — no second chances this time!
While other editions of the X Factor have done away with the Bootcamp, X Factor Malta is still using it. And it works. It’s a way to get to know the auditioning acts and see how they handle the pressure of having to sing an unfamiliar song with a group of strangers.
For the first part, contestants were separated into categories and given one of four songs to perform. Girls had Lady Gaga’s “A Million Reasons”, Boys had Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth’s “See You Again”, Overs had Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”, while Groups could show off their harmonies with the Temptation’s classic “My Girl”.
As judge Alexandra Alden told the 120 assembled hopefuls, the judges needed to reduce them down to just 48. And they were ruthless with their eliminations. Acts who may have been cut a little slack at the Judges Auditions stage were promptly (but politely) shown the door if they messed up.
Former Malta Eurovision Song Contest stars featured, and the Overs category was particularly full of ex-MESC singers who continued to prove their worth. Aidan Cassar, Janice Mangion, Miriana Conte, Petra and Dario Mifsud Bonnici were among those who made it to the next stage. Anna Faniello — mother of Maltese Eurovision stars Claudia Faniello and Fabrizio Faniello — also made it to the next stage, as did the singing magician Aleandro Pace Tahir.
Next came the Wall of Songs, where the remaining acts had to grab a song selection and find the three other acts with the same song. Franklin Calleja — whose first Bootcamp performance was not shown — was seen grabbing Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years”.
This singing challenge showed how acts could work with others and if they could hold their own in a group performance. The judges seemed to have a good sense of what was work, but there was once controversial decision.
Recent MESC singer Lyndsay Pace and upcoming singer Isaac Mercieca were both eliminated after their group performance. This sparked a flurry of comments on social media, from fans bewildered why two of the auditioning acts would be eliminated so early.
But there is hope. Acts eliminated from the second challenge aren’t sent home immediately. Instead they go into the Holding Room. If the judges reach the end of the second challenge performances and they’re short of numbers, they will look to the Holding Room and give some acts a second chance.
X Factor Malta continues next Sunday, with more Bootcamp performances, saves and eliminations.
What do you think? Which performances have you been impressed with? Who would you like to see represent Malta at Eurovision 2019? Sound off below!
Boys category was specially awful. I suppose they didn’t show the good acts because that was really hard to listen…
Franklin serving TABS (Talent, Acclaim, Beauty and Success) as per usual, he’s the best male vocalist from Malta and he’s well-liked by everyone.
The one I would like to eliminate is Alexandra Alden. WHY on earth is she here? What does she have contribute? Is it a success in Malta to have 3000 views on your YouTube videos? Aidan is more successful and advanced than her. It’s ridiculous.
Yeah sure he is. He’s graduated in music and has a degree in vocal accademics too! Piss off, she’s the most knowledgeable one of the lot, she earnt her place there.
That Aidan guy sounds terrible. How can he make it through?! ._.
I still don’t understand why early elimination would cause controversy? Isn’t it a norm in such shows
The “controversy” that was mentioned is basically just some random Youtube comments lol
Are they still pretending to ignore that Aiden sounds like a dying cat?
Seems like you had a lot of them. Sorry for your loss, but Aidan is great! One of my fave’s.
Said no one ever
Hope you tolerate other peoples’ opinion… My view of him is that Malta never really had a guy who’s modern and current. Maybe you don’t like his voice, but we all know XFactor is about the whole package, he also seems confident speaking infront of the camera, just like Petra in example.
Not you thinking being confident in front of a camera can make us forget about TRAGIC vocals.
I agree about the tricks. But then listen to Jessie J, never heard a song of hers where she doesnt do the tricks. Aidan reminds me of her. And would love to see him in Israel. But I agree totally Robyn, maybe he should expose more sides of himself.
With the difference that Jessica J actually sounds pleasant.
Comparing Aiden to Jessie J is like comparing Primark and Gucci…. it’s just a whirlwind away. He’s just trash, and the cringeworthy shots of him flexing his ugly shirts and non existent biceps add more to the horror.
Perhaps you only like fake drag queens – Soldier of Saara. Speak about her sense of fashion lol….
Perhaps Saara’s Soldier hasn’t had their hearing damaged and only stans good vocalists.
Perhaps I can’t stand drag queens, even if they’re better than a plastic queen like you. And should I speak of Saara’s fashion sense… I’d say it stands tall and mighty next to your irrelevant jargon and useless badmouthing.
Well, if making two notes with zero technique like he did in Dai Laga is enough for him to make it to the X Factor live shows, we should be concerned.
Haha, you just hate the guy! Chill lol
A rat is a rat
Yeah, and you’re one 😛
A rat is a rat…. but Joshua Alexander is indeed a big blunder xD
lol
After watching the performance of “Burn” I am also shocked that Lyndsay and Isaac were eliminated. They are two clear qualifiers to me… I also watched “Just Give Me A Reason” and Kurt plus one of the girls were my qualifiers for sure, but nobody qualified directly :O I think this is the toughest bootcamp ever seen and I am not amused… First, almost everybody got through and now this…
Aidan and Petra – Final 2. And I would die happy. Malta choose wisely for once <3
Malta will choose wisely only if it doesn’t follow your advice
Cause choosing Valentina Monetta for the 90th time is a good advice! Oh come on
Where did Talentina Monetta suggest that a country should send her? They’re only stanning for the Sanmarinese legend with no implications, work on your reading abilities sis!