Australian Idol

Australian Idol 2009 Top 24 contestant

Australian Idol 2009 Top 24 contestant

Australian Idol 2009 Top 24 contestant

This has to be one of the coolest promos I’ve seen since the Australia’s Next Top Model ones!

Tonight the first group of semi finalists perform for Australia’s pleasure.  Well, pleasure, hopefully.

Remember, voting closes at 3am AEST so don’t leave your voting until tomorrow or you’ll miss out.

The voting lines are already open.  You can find the voting details here.

I’ve posted a brief comment on each performance below with a rough copy of the judge’s comments, as tonight’s the first time I’ve done a live blog post since, well, I can’t remember I’ll keep it fairly simple.

I’ve also tried really hard not to comment on how:

- Ricki-Lee looked like a massively over-inflated black helium baloon

- The new judge Jay Dee is the second pom to sit as a judge on AUSTRALIAN Idol, or how his comments seem to be really unhelpful and bland (how many ways can someone say “I liked it” without being kicked off the television?)

- How many times Marcia uses her beloved catch-phrases like “Stay True To Yourself” even in the first semi final, or how I’m making it into a great drinking game in future episodes.

 

Hayley Warner – 1902 5555 61
Crying Shame

Hayley seemed a little uncomfortable as she came on stage, vocally and musically it was an odd way to kick off the evening, the song had no way to intro the music, so it just seemed to be a bit forced.

Visually she has no real charisma on stage, I was of the mind that she looked more like a stunned chicken on stage than a seasoned performer and can’t really see her winning the competition, although I can see her lasting a few weeks.

The camera work wasn’t helping her at all either, it wasn’t following her well at all, or perhaps it was more that she wasn’t using it as well as she could have either. She’s got to become a little more cocky and confidant if she’s going to make a few weeks into the competition.

Hayley seemed to warm up near the end of the performance but was possibly a little too late for me, I can see how she may be a judge favourite, but seriously I can’t see her making it to the Sydney Opera House.

Judges Comments:
Dicko: You have been really cool and strong, a good start to the night.  If you’re going to choose well known songs, put them through your own filter. Be special, do your own thing.

Marcia: A great way to start the show, you’re a crowd pleaser and that was a crowd pleaser.

Jay Dee: I’m really pleased that I’m on the show and I’m pleased with that performance.

Seth Drury – 1902 5555 62
You Found Me

Seth is obviously one of the judge’s favourites this year, his curly hair will at the very least help him get into a boy band if he doesn’t make it this year, or at the very least he may make it on television as a hair model. He’s really been marketed as the cute guy in the competition and if he doesn’t get on the show I think Dicko and co may be rather pissed.

Vocally the song sounded like it started a little out, but quickly became more comfortable as time went on. 

My issue with the song choice is that The Fray makes a bad choice vocally for whomever sings it, there’s not enough of a range there, or energy there to be memorable or grab people’s attention.  The best way would be to play it while also playing the piano, but even then your vocals suffer from being unremarkable.  In the end The Fray is just middle of the road easy listening music for teens.

Overall, the performance was possibly too clean of a vocally, Seth spent most of the song behind the microphone and only moved near the end of the performance, not showing much conviction or really showing us anything else about himself that would convince anyone to vote for him that’s not already related or paid off…

My word for this performance is “unremarkable”

Judges Comments:

Marcia: You’ve got a lot of things happening for you, I like your believability, I really like the way you interpret.

Jay: It was a good performance, there’s something that intrigues me about you, perhaps you need a little work, perhaps remove you from the piano a little. I think the girls are going to like you.

Dicko: You’ve really worked on your voice in the last year, you need to work on your vulnerability, well done.

 

Jamila Ioane – 1902 5555 63
For Once In My Life

Oh my dear God, what on earth was going on in her mind when she chose the clothes that she’s wearing?  Sure, wear those clothes out to the night club, or to the prom, but oh deary lord don’t wear them on television, especially those ear rings and, what on earth is up with that hair and dress?!!!

Musically Jamila is on the ball, her notes are crisp and clean, performance wise however she looks rather uncomfortable, which I guess is forgivable for the first semi-final, but it’s still embarrassing to watch, easier to listen to though…

All that being said, I liked the vocals, I just think that she may be a little too young for the gig this year…

Judges Comments:

Jay Dee
The camera loves you, you owned the stage, I’m not sure abbot the arrangement of the song, when you’re picking songs  think about that.

Dicko
I was a little distracted by the earrings. You are a warm, appealing girl with a voice to match. That was a real step up for you tonight.

Marcia
It was great to see you comfortable, well done darling.

Toby Moulton – 1902 5555 64
Yellow

Can anyone tell me how on earth this guy made it this far? sure, plonk him on stage at the local pub, or maybe a wedding, but not on Idol.  Vocally he seems clean and safe, while his performance is so very very very uncomfortable and, as the performance went on you noticed how nasty his high notes can be, he is really hit and miss.

As a performer he just doesn’t seem to cut it, but then again we’ve allowed a clean cut type of person to the Idol lounge before (even though that time whatshisname had an irish accent) so who knows, perhaps those pathetic soccer mums may actually put in a phone call or two for him…

He made me want to switch the television over to Top Gear

Judges Comments:

Dicko
Toby, look you have got a lovely voice, and as a teacher I guess you have to be a role model.  When you perform you do tender really well, but a lot of performing is about doing sexy. You may need to turn it up a notch to give the soccer mums something to get hot under the collar about.

Marcia
It’s working for me, well done.

Jay Dee
I agree with Dicko, I think your vocals was great, I think mums are going to love you, but it’s a touch polite.

Kate Cook - 1902 5555 65
Your Mama Don’t Dance

What The!!???

Can anyone spell Steriotipe?

Or is that Stairiotype?

Or Stereotype?

that’s it, fantastic, I knew I’d get there sometime

Oh crap, I spent all the time trying to spell and now ran out of time to comment on Kate’s completely wiggy song choice, country hat and obvious marketing angles.  If you like your chicks to be dressed up in flannelette shirts and Acubra hats while singing songs from a time that music has long forgotten then perhaps Kate’s for you.

Ok, with that off my mind, she did have fun and she was smiling through the entire performance and yes, she looked like she was having a ball.

But seriously, that still doesn’t make me want to vote for her.

Judges Comments:

Marcia
If you just keep it as simple as that AND STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF you’ll do well

Jay Dee
I really like you, I think this country will love you too.

Dicko:
I don’t know if I’m exactly what you’re looking for but I’m in love with you too. You’re honest, you just get up there and do it. You’re gold.

Stan Walker - 1902 5555 66

Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You’

There’s something about the video introductions that remind me of A Current Affair, trying to make us feel all soft and fuzzy about the various contestants because so and so had a hard life, or because whatshername used to be touched in a bad way by….

ok, I’ll stop there…

Or people will start calling me Sandilands

Diction seems to be a problem for Stan, who just looks like he’s living his dream there on stage, and as much as I hate to say it, vocally he seems more natural and honest than any of the other performances tonight.

Stan lacks a body and face that would look good on a Rolling Stone Magazine, but, I’m reminded that we’ve not necessarily always voted for the most attractive Idols in either teh Semi Finals or the Finals of this competition, so he may be in with a chance, especially with the conservative Christian vote that is no doubt heading his way after having sung “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” in one of his auditions.

Judges Comments:

Jay Dee:
I’ve been hearing about this voice for a couple of weeks. You know what, I think you could sing the phone book, and if you get through I’ll be on your back, you’ve got an amazing tool.

Dicko
How good has tonight’s show been?  Stan, you have got a really good soul voice, when you have the voice hardwired to your heart it just flows and it’s captivating. You are a super talent mate.

Marcia
I just love your voice, I love that you’re very game and take a lot of chances. You have one of teh finest, smoothest and sexiest voices that i’ve heard in a long time. Know that, and try to be smooth and keep it real.

Sunday 23 August 6.30pm

It’s a huge week of Idol as Australia’s brightest young stars take to the stage five nights this week. Idol kicks off on Sunday night with the Top 100 round at Sydney Theatre Company. Expect a wild rollercoaster of emotions as our potential Idols try and cement their place in the competition.

Last minute song choices, late nights, tears and tantrums are par for the course.

The Idols final challenge tests the contestants nerve as they take to the stage infront of a packed Sydney audience, a feat which challenges some, and breaks others.

From this performance the judges will decide which 24 singers will perform for Australia’s votes.

Monday 24 August – Thursday 27 August

Monday to Thursday are the semi final shows, where six singers each night will put it all on the line in the hope of making it through to the final 12. For most, this is their first live television performance so its a battle of nerves for the coveted spots.

The two contestants who receive the highest number of votes will make it through to the Top 12.

Updated. In September, channel 10’s schedule will start to transform as some of their new shows for the rest of the year premiere.

Summary:

1. Next week, Australian Idol takes over the 7.30pm timeslot for every night except Friday. Week 3 of Australian Idol sees the top 100 cut down to the top 24 in Sunday then from 24 to 12 over 4 nights, starting from Sunday Aug 23 6.30pm.

2. Are You Smarter than a 5^th Grader returns to Monday nights at 7.30 Aug 31.

3. The final of Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation airs Tuesday Sept 1 at 7.30pm.

4. The premiere of Magda Szubanski’s The Spearman Experiment is on Tuesday Sept 8 at 7.30pm.

5. Hamish and Andy return to 10 in the first of two specials – this one called: Rove Presents: Hamish and Andy’s American Caravan of Courage. The show airs Thursday September 10 at 7.30pm

6. Go Girls, after being held over while 10 re-arrange their Friday nights to have So You Think You Can Dance at a later time, returns with episode 3 on Friday September 11 at 10.30pm, following the move Nanny McPhee at 8.30pm.

Also on Friday nights, is the Simpsons with two episodes played from 7.30pm.

The final of So You Think You Can Dance is at 10.30pm Friday Sept 3.

7. GLEE will be on Thursdays at 7.30pm from September 17.

8. Celebrity Masterchef is tipped to premier on at 7.30pm Wednesday September 30. NCIS LA will most likely premiere that week as well, just days after it premieres in the US.

9. And jumping way ahead, 10 plan to air a New Years’ Eve special featuring Shaun McCalliff.

Now in its seventh year, Idol is one of few Australian television series that has continued to perform so consistently year on year, and its new earlier time slot of 6:30pm is continuing to attract the audiences which it’s designed for. And the best is yet to come:

• New judge to be announced Sunday 23 August
• Live semi-finals to air Monday 24 – Thurs 27 Aug at 7:30pm stripped
• Top 12 contestants decided: Super Sunday performance shows start Sunday 6 Sept
• Suzi Quatro guest judge and mentor: First elimination Sunday 13 Sept

Having wrapped up the national audition tour in last night’s show, next week will launch the top 100 week when the very best talent from around the country perform in front of a live audience in a bid to make it to this year’s finals. For the first time ever, they’ll also be presented in front of a panel of industry executives alongside Delta Goodrem to have their first taste of whether they have what it takes to make it in the cutthroat world of music.

Each consecutive day next week will whittle down the contestants in LIVE one-hour shows when the top 24 will be publicly voted down to 8 finalists so get your texting digits ready. The additional 4 wildcards will be decided by the brand new judging panel and announced at the top of the first Super Sunday performance show on Sunday 6 September.

There’s a lot to be excited about with Idol on TEN this year and we’re not shy about saying so.

Last year it was the Sydney auditions that gave us the two finalists that took it all the way to the end.  Delta Goodrem is joining the judging panel for this round of auditions.

Of course, before we get any decent contestants from the big smoke, we need to check out what talent exists and has been bought in from Tamworth.

21 year old Ryan Sampson has been performing with his guitar since he was seven.  Tonight he sings The Storm and has Kyle sold.

18 year old country lad James Johnston is into his acoustic pop.  He plays Your Body is a Wonderland and easily earns his place in the top 100.  Another lolly for the girls.

The final person from Tamworth is 24 year old Aaron Bolton who lays down a vocal track for Somebody Like You. They like him but he’s selling himself a little short.  Once he gets his confidence up he could be a contender.

The Penrith Panthers Mascot gets to audition as a real, live, mask-less singer.  This 20 year old Spice Girls fan, Daniel Raso sings Proud Mary and after singing and dancing with Delta his entertaining self is through to the finals.

Father of two and camp counsellor 28 year old Jason Bartlett is returning to Australian Idol after dropping out of the Top 100 in 2005.  He sings his own song and there’s a lot they judges like about him but there is some concern that he might be better off in a band.  He’s through despite Dicko’s disagreement.

Another from the top 100 in 2005 and also from Western Australia is 21 year old train driver Tenielle Muslin.  She sings Warwick Avenue and she’s rather pleasing on the ear. Dicko tells her the fat controller says yes. The train puns flow freely and it’s all a bit too much but she’s through to the Top 100 in 2009.

Lady Gaga turns up to give the contestants a bit of advice before facing the judges.

17 year old Samoan Jamila Ioane sings I have Nothing and she’s got a nice husky tone to her voice.

Sabrina Batshon is a 24 year old with an obsessive compulsive disorder and is a recovering suicidal.  She moves everyone with her touching story before singing Nature Boy and is great but a little theatrical.

17 year old Mali-Koa Hood sings Fallin’ and 24 year old Jaimy Heywood sings Walkin’ After Midnight before sportswoman turned singer 17 year old Hayley Warner sings Daughters.  Hayley has one of the nicest auditions we’ve seen.

27 year old Adam Eckersley just wants to rock and roll.  Dicko gets him to play one of his originals which is pretty good.  Everyone loves him despite him not having the best voice of the day.

19 year old rocker Ed Zaidan has been fronting for the band livewire but has decided to leave and try a solo career with Australian Idol.  He sings Hallelujah and wins over the judges but they warn him that they think he’s in for a hard time. He promises big things in the future.

Seth Drury is an 18 year old who owns Crazy before 28 year old Tim Johnston delivers I Heard It Through the Grapevine.

17 year old Ashleigh Toole sings Nobody Knows and her country twang from Tamworth shines through.

17 year old Nathan Brake meets Delta again after appearing on one of her DVDs.  He sings Bohemian Rhapsody and gets his ticket to the finals and Delta Goodrem gets to claim that she discovered him.

42 made it through to the Top 100 from Sydney.

Next up.  The theatre round.

Sunday August 16 6.30pm

Tonight the Idol auditions roll on as Dicko, Marcia and Kyle continue their quest to find the next Australian Idol.

Hundreds of NSW and WA singers queued for hours for their chance to impress, and tonight they strut their stuff for the judges. And the NSW contestants got a special surprise when pop superstar Delta Goodrem joined the judging panel for the Sydney auditions.

Music of all genres are on show as the future stars of Country, R ‘n’ B, Pop and Rock put it all on the line for a shot at the big time. Expect all the highs, lows, the good, the bad and the ugly, as they take to the stage.

Host Andrew G and mentor Ricki-Lee Coulter will also be there to celebrate and commiserate with the contestants as they take centre stage.