You can practically feel the nervousness coming off some of the candidates as they step into the limelight: they’re here to win over not only the judges, but a large audience as well. Throngs of music enthusiasts came to Cologne’s Vulkanhalle to witness the judges’ auditions for X Factor. Sometimes they agreed with the judges, while other decisions elicited boos from the crowd. “We’ve seen some really good candidates here,” the show’s moderator Jochen Schropp told RTLGroup.com. “I have to say the overall level of quality is already quite high. The candidates I like to call ‘surprise packages’ are the most interesting: inconspicuous types that turn out to have incredible power.”
Till Brönner, Sarah Conner and George Glueck (from left to right)
The judges appear relaxed. This isn’t their first audition, after all. After casting calls in Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, the bar is already pretty high – “You’re good, but we’ve already heard this piece performed better several times,” says Sarah Connor, as she sends one of the candidates home. Till Brönner and George Glueck are in a good mood, too, and professional in their assessment of the candidates – one wrong note can make the difference between making boot camp and being given the boot.
“I am really looking forward to the boot camp and the subsequent live shows,” says Schropp. “I already know the show from Britain and was accordingly delighted when they approached me about moderating it here in Germany.”
Jochen Schropp
At the boot camp, the candidates will be split up into three categories: over 25, under 25 and duets or vocal groups. At this point, each judge will start to coach one of the categories. Gradually, the top acts will be selected, until just three per judge are left. “These Top 9 will compete in the live shows,” explains Schropp. “And then the viewers decide.” During the auditions, the judges already start considering what category they’re going to be assigned to. “I don’t know what category I’ll be getting, but if you’re in my group I’d love to see what else is in there,” said George Glueck to one act. In summer, RTL Television and Vox will reveal who made it to boot camp. The first two episodes will be shown on RTL Television, the rest of the casting show will air on Vox.