Press Release
Idols 10 took a dramatic turn this week when Idols host and co-producer ProVerb made his entrance onto the State Theatre stage on the actual Iron Throne from the TV hit
Game of Thrones. The legendary Throne is in SA for the launch of the brand new DStv Premium channel M-Net Edge, which will be on air from Monday, 20 October at 19:00.
The musical theme for Sunday night's episode was the exact opposite of feudal, though, as the Top 8 contestants celebrated 20 years of Democracy under the expert musical mentorship of one of South Africa’s true musical giants, jazz, fusion and mbaqanga legend, Ray Phiri.
So after a dramatic farewell to Roxy McVean (19), who received the fewest votes from the Idols fans this week, the remaining Top 8 got ready to perform hits from the year of South Africa’s first democratic election, 1994.
But first, guest appearances from Idols SA Season 9 finalists Zoë Zana and, together on stage for the first time ever, Ray Phiri and hit-makers Beatenberg.
Then
Kyle Deutschmann (27), the chiropractor from Durban, was up first to impress the judges and win votes from the fans with “Mr. Jones”, the 1994 hit from The Counting Crows.
Gareth Cliff noted that Kyle seemed to be shocked to find himself in the Bottom 3 this week, but he thought that might be the case again next week. “You could have done a lot more with it. I didn’t think it was good enough,” he said. “I think you might be in the danger zone again.”
Unathi Msengana also said she was worried about Kyle this week. “We want to see your soul,” she beseeched. “If you make it through it will be because of the choice of song,” Randall Abrahams thought.
To vote for Kyle fans can text his voting number for the duration of the competition,
06, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
Professional performer
London Louw (24) from Cape Town celebrated 1994 with the Cranberries hit “Zombie”.
Gareth thought the original singer of that song, Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries, would have been very impressed with London’s performance.
Unathi was also very impressed. “I felt your pain, and that’s what an artist is supposed to do,” she said approvingly.
Randall noted that London has consistently made the most interesting songs choices to far out of the Top 16. He wasn’t sure if this particular song would garner votes in 2014, but he said he was impressed with how London always reached the emotional heart of each song that he’s performed so far.
To vote for London fans can text his voting number for the duration of the competition,
02, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
Nelspruit singer
Bongi Silinda (24) chose the Toni Braxton hit “Breathe Again”.
“I think she went there!” Gareth said happily, and then explained that the judges are all Toni Braxton fans and they were all hoping that Bongi would “do it right” and that it would be amazing – “and it
was amazing!” he said.
“Vocally you killed it!” Unathi said, and she thought it should be an example for all the Top 8 to make sure they sing the meaning of the lyrics.
Randall said there was no-one who can beat Bongi technically, but people don’t listen technically, he said, they listen with their hearts. “It was 90 percent there,” he told Bongi. “If you’re still here next week, go all the way.”
To vote for Bongi fans can text her voting number for the duration of the competition,
01, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
Durbanville singer
Demi Lee (24) was up next with the Bryan Adams anthem, “Please Forgive Me”.
Gareth warned Demi not to lose herself in the song. “Just figure out how to plug in some high voltage on the verses,” he advised.
Unathi said she liked that Demi’s interpretation was vulnerable. “And vocally on point,” she said.
Randall reiterated once again that the contestants have to deliver the meaning of the lyrics from the first line of the song.
He uncharacteristically sympathised with the contestants for having to stand there every week and listen to the judges’ criticism – but it didn’t look like Demi entirely believed him.
To vote for Demi fans can text her voting number for the duration of the competition,
11, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
eMalahleni’s
Musa Mashiane (27) brought an African flavour to the Democracy theme with the hit “7 Seconds”, by Youssou N'Dour and Neneh Cherry.
“Musa, I llloved that!” Gareth shouted. “Especially when you started freestyling at the end there, I thought it was beautiful.” Unathi thanked Musa for honouring an African artist this week. “Keep showing off,” she told Musa. “Keep reminding South Africa how diverse you are. “
Randall said although he previously noted that London has made some of the most interesting song choices in the competition, “you’ve made some of the most appropriate-to-
you song choices,” he said. “Tonight you were absolutely in the zone,” he said. “I think it’s going to be many, many weeks before you’re in the Bottom 3.”
To vote for Musa fans can text his voting number for the duration of the competition,
07, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
Former accounting student
Lize Mynhardt (21) from Stellenbosch chose a vintage R’nB hit from 1994, the Boyz II Men classic, “I’ll Make Love To You”.
“Great song choice, and well done,” Gareth told Lisa, and commented how much he was enjoying hearing all those old Nineties favourites again. But he also pointed out that Lisa’s guitar was a bit of a comfort blanket for her at this stage.
“You just made me feel very naughty!” Unathi teased. “That was very sexy.” Randall was very impressed that Liza took a song that was “so indelibly Boyz II Men,” he said, and made it her own
To vote for Lize fans can text her voting number for the duration of the competition,
08, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
Worship leader
Vincent Bones (29) from Pietermaritzburg also went the R’nB route, with Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk”.
“Amazing!” Gareth said, “You wiped the floor with that.” “You are just anointed!” Unathi raved over the screaming crowds. Randall said Tevin Campbell’s version was a teenage song sung by a boy, but Vincent’s version was sung by a man.
To vote for Vincent B fans can text his voting number for the duration of the competition,
09, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
And last but not least, Pretoria student
Tumi Morobane (21) closed the show with Gloria Estefan’s “Turn The Beat Around”.
“It’s going to be very, very difficult for the audience to choose,” Gareth said. “You were in the groove,” he said, and he noted that no-one brings the energy that a pop song requires better than Tumi.
“You’re a superstar – you owned that stage!” said Unathi.
Randall was impressed with how Tumi shows off all the different things that she can do, “and you tend to do them very well,” he said.
To vote for Tumi fans can text her voting number for the duration of the competition,
04, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.dstv.com/Idols.
When Pro polled the judges for their performances of the night, Gareth “copped out”, saying that “everybody here was spectacular,” except for Kyle, who was slightly under the very high standard, he thought. Unathi put Musa and Lize in a joint first position, and Randall thought Kyle was the worst and Lize was the best of the night.
Voting for the Top 8 performances opened at the start of tonight’s show and closes at 22:00 on Tuesday, 7 October.
The results will be announced in next Sunday’s Spectacular [12 October], when one of the Top 8 contestants will be sent home.