» Review: X Factor Tour
Tweenage mass hysteria can be a frightening thing. The X Factor finalists said the Brighton Centre was louder than Wembley, at a fraction of the size, such was the enthusiasm of the mostly young female audience. Even I, a few decades removed from any Tween, could feel my eyes welling at the emotion of the moment as Jamie Archer, Jedward, Lucy Jones, Danyl Johnson, Stacey Solomon, Olly Murs and wee Joe McElderry took to the stage amongst the pomp and pyrotechnics of the opening number. 
This was a massive production throughout, as big as any final night of the TV show itself, with touring host duties taken up by Jeff Brazier – a popular choice with the generation addicted to the pop culture his ex, Jade Goodey, personified. With the realisation of a dream for the eight on stage, the emotion was so raw
it was catching.
The show kicked off properly with Jamie Archer, sporting not one but two of his trademark scarves and going all out with his popular Kings Of Leon cover. The Afro’d singer engaged in a bit of scripted banter with the audience, which they readily lapped up, confirming with volume that Brighton is indeed a party town. Quite whether his idea of a party and theirs – average age 13 – would tally seemed beside the point.
The rest of the first half had us on the edge of our seats as one after another of the finalists came out singly or occasionally in groups, to share what could
be ours, we were told, if we successfully applied this year. Jedward in particular amused all with their still out of sync dancing and enthusiastic shouting and backflips.
I’ve never seen a happier group of people to perform karaoke accompanied by sky dancers and fireworks, and their happiness was contagious.
The point at which the tension changed into something else was when Olly Murs took to the stage. The professionalism in his dances, his connection to the audience and all-round razzle dazzle was palpable. And, when Joe McElderry took to the stage for the last section it was there again. These two will definitely hang around. Thank you to the others for the shared dream.
Brighton Centre 27 February
4/5
Victoria Nangle
