After a slow start Australian X Factor's second week brings out the talent

After an opening week packed with outstanding talent Australian X Factor could be forgiven for being unable to keep up the pace into it's second week. Monday night's show seemed to confirm it with several 'good' performances but nothing that blew us away. However, last night's episode definitely put to rest any fears that we'd seen all that the competition had to offer us.

The first act to elicit that "they've got something" response was boy band Fourtunate.



Having reached bootcamp last year the past 12 months clearly hasn't been wasted, as shown by a YouTube channel packed full of treats like this a capella Marvin Gaye & Jay Sean mashup:



The second act to show they had hod something special to offer was singing a song that has suffered terribly at the hands of auditionees in the past, Minnie Ripperton's "Loving You".

Somehow 17 year old Sarah Main managed to do the impossible, not only managing to perform the song without invoking a "nails on a chalkboard" reaction when aiming for the infamous high note, but also reminding us that despite all the botched renditions we've heard over the years, the original is actually a great song.

X Factor: Lucy Spraggan's hidden #BeerFear music video

After seeing Lucy Spraggan wow the X Factor judges and audience with her original song "Last Night" (aka #BeerFear) at the live auctions...



I hit the net in search of more of the Sheffield singer's Kate Nash/Jamie T style.  From her website there were the obligatory links to her Facebook & Twitter, along with one to a Soundcloud account showcasing 11 songs. All standard practice for aspiring musical talent in the digital age, as is the presence of an independently produced album available via iTunes & Amazon. In fact everything on display paints a picture of a talented motivated musician, working hard to earn her big break.

Except for one thing... her YouTube page. While it does exist, with 355 subscribers this morning, there are no videos on it. That's unheard of these days for a gigging singer being as it's one of the best ways to build a fan base outside your local area.

 Luckily I noticed that while there no videos on her channel there were some on her website, one of which was this slickly produced visual accompaniment to her X Factor audition track.



Why such a well made video would be hidden away from the thousands of prospective new fans is something of a mystery. Is it Lucy's decision or some restriction imposed by X Factor?

While we wait to find out, here's another video from her website in which she collaborates with J-Mac.

Bad boys, bankers & Miss Universe contestants - Australian X Factor wraps up week one with a bang

Unlike it's British originator, down under the show airs on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights and so far this week we've been met potential stars in the forms of 14 year old Vendulka Wichta and this year's first auditionee Bella Ferraro.

Last night's episode saw a motley crew of contestants hoping to make their way through to "super bootcamp". Matt Gresham has used a focus on music to turn around his life and - with a little help from Bob Marley - dazzled the judges with his unique style.



Former Miss Universe contestant Kristina & student Jo came together to form Good Question, and were eager to prove`they are far more than merely pretty faces.



Also choosing to choosing to mix things up with a number showcasing both his singing & rapping abilities was bank teller William Singe.



Closing out the shows for this week was factory working single dad Hayden Maurirere, with his performance of the Chris Cornell version of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'.

The surprises keep coming on Australian X Factor

The latest undiscovered superstar to appear on the stage was 14 year old Vendulka Wichta. Her rendition of The Beatle's 'Blackbird' seemed way beyond what could be expected from someone so young.



And once again proving this wasn't a one off, here she is covering Foster The People's 'Pumped Up Kicks'.

Meet Bella Ferraro - First contestant on this year's Australian X Factor and already tipped to win

Her absolutely stunning rendition of Bon Iver's 'Skinny Love', patterned on the cover by Birdy, had judges Ronan Keating & Mel B predicting that she'll not only win the competition, but go on to equal the worldwide success of Adele.



It would be easy to dismiss such lavish praise on the basis of a single performance, but like many aspiring singers she's been showcasing her singing talents via YouTube, even if she's been doing so via a blank screen.



In the intervening year she seems to have grown in confidence enough to appear in front of the camera. Here she covers The Killers 'Mr Brightside' alongside her friend Morgan, whose X Factor audition airs later this week.