The only reason I’m not obsessed with Idols is because I don’t have M-Net. And the only reason I don’t have M-Net is because I cancelled my DStv subscription as step one on the road to recovery from TV addiction (because really – a person can only watch the same episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians so many times). But on the weekends when I go home to mom for vegetables, advice and couch time, I inevitably relapse, which is how I came to love L’loyd Cele, family man and Idols finalist.I’m not sure what it is about the Durban graphic designer that sets him apart for me. Perhaps it’s his understated presence and his unexpected take on tunes you think you know (I honestly always thought the Parlotones’ Push Me to the Floor was kind of naff until L’Loyd belted it out). Don’t get me wrong, I think Elvis is great too and I have no doubt they’ll both go onto bigger and better things, but Elvis is a dime a dozen while L’loyd is a once in a lifetime.
My friend Lebo and I had the chance to attend Sunday night’s finale, thanks Ford, and the guys were both so good I actually felt the crowd’s mixed emotions, wanting their favourite to win, but being sucked in by every performance.
Well, almost every performance. If the backing track to former winner Jody Williams’ song hadn’t been quite so loud and obnoxious, I swear you would’ve heard awkward, squeaky crickets during the underwhelming performance of her new single Don’t Stop the Music (we wish someone had and pulled the plug on that one). A pity, because she clearly has some pipes on her – the girl just needs a better songwriter. The stage was also graced by other previous winners Sasha Lee and Jason Hartman who fared better, but still couldn’t steal the spotlight from Elvis and L’loyd.The two showed off their first radio singles and well, the jury (of one Natalie Pool) is still out. The track written for Elvis – Things My Father Said – fits him perfectly, while L’Loyd’s Because of You is kind of disappointing. Not because of his vocals, but because he’s impossible to pigeonhole and the writers took an easy and safe way out with a soppy R’n’B tune. Hey, it worked for X-Factor’s Leona Lewis. Hopefully airplay will prove me wrong and give the track time to grow on me.
At the end of the day, does it really matter who wins tonight? Not so much. Anyone remember the guy who beat American Idol finalist Adam Lambert? Not so much. The trick is to capitalise on the momentum stirred up by the competition and not fade into obscurity to finish your studies or set up house with a criminal (no names mentioned). Both guys have been given an incredible platform and hard work, talent and die-hard fans will take them far.
