Local girls Laura White, from Bolton, and Accrington's Diane Vickers were joined at the M.E.N Arena by X Factor 2008 winner Alexandra, Rachel, Daniel, Eoghan, Ruth and JLS on Friday 27 & Saturday 28 February 2009.

Check out the reviews of the 2009 tour with the men-arena.com's top reviews:

manchestereveningnews.co.uk > posted Monday 2 March 2009

"IT'S a night of realised dreams - and ear-piercing screams.

So loud is the collective voice of the crowd that they threaten to drown out the sound coming from the stage. But it reinforces the fact that fans love X Factor as much as ever.

Make no mistake, X Factor Live is shimmering karaoke on a gargantuan scale, albeit from people who don't need the words in front of them and some of whom can actually sing.

The organisers take no risks when putting together the running order - a mix of songs familiar to anyone who tuned in on a Saturday night.
Think of it as multimedia K-Tel for the modern age.

But it works - putting thousands of people as up close and personal as is possible in a 12,000-seater arena.

It falls to the foursome that is runner-up act JLS to get the show started with the Michael Jackson song The Way You Make Me Feel.

They are flanked, momentarily, by the surprisingly talented Signature (turban, broom, wacko Jacko costume) who provide a bhangra-beat celebration of the former Prince of Pop.

Then it's hometown girl Laura White, who hails from Atherton, and is clearly fulfilling her ambition. Entering with Somebody Else's Guy, she says: "Manchester, I'm home. This has been my dream to play at the M.E.N since I was 15."

Next up is a Daniel Evans - more like Jimmy Tarbuck everyday - and he genuinely seems to be soaking up the magic too.

He opens with It's Not Unusual, even if it is to see someone like him performing somewhere like this.

There are two from reformed bad girl Rachel Hylton - including one borrowed from Amy Winehouse, You Know I'm No Good - which plays on that reputation.

"Hey Manchest-ah," she says, clearly making a special effort to be at one with her audience.

Then it's time for the ritual humiliation of those who didn't make it beyond the initial audition stages.

Only one of those acts selected for slaughter, the two hapless lads who sang/rapped their way through Mysterious Girl, are actually quite good.

Back to the finalists, Accrington's Diana Vickers arrives on stage riding a Barbie-pink bed - but looks more like she is auditioning for the Exorcist than singing for X Factor.

All Kohl-eyes and back combed hair, she writhes her way through Blondie's Call Me before turning to Take That's Patience. It tests mine.

Next it's Ruth Lorenzo, whose corset puts in what has to be the strongest performance of the night.

She ends with Prince's Purple Rain before joining an X Factor ensemble of Ain't No Mountain High Enough and we're into the break.

Part two is all about contenders for the top spot.

Eoghan Quigg has clearly identified his target audience, beginning with the High School Musical crowd-pleaser We're All In This Together before launching into Michael Jackson's Ben and a not too subtle explanation of that tabloid talk of a fling with Diana Vickers, a duet of Anytime You Need A Friend.

There are a few more from teen favourites JLS - singing Rihanna's `Um-ber-ella', showing a bit of flesh - and easily the most convincing pop stars so far.

But the best is still to come.

Now either Simon Cowell has been busy with the Mr Sheen in the weeks since Christmas, or Alexandra Burke was always by far the most polished X Factor performer of the latest series.

She passes some casual comment about a poorly ankle but there's no obvious sign of it while she dances.

And boy, can she sing.

But it's not the far too commonly recycled Hallelujah (I like Jeff Buckley's best) which hits the highest note.

That moment is saved for Listen, the song she so emotionally tackled alongside Beyonce Knowles, and one she absolutely owns tonight.

My spine tingles - everybody screams.

The big question now is whether Alexandra Burke will be able to do `a Leona' and conquer the world.

She's certainly got the X Factor and last week signed an American deal with Epic.

Everybody here is living a dream, but Alexandra Burke's looks set to be bigger than most."

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