Emily’s having fun once more
SIMON DUKE FINDS THAT X FACTOR ALUMNI EMILY MIDDLEMAS IS WORKING TO CHANGE HER IMAGE
SHE was the striking yet slightly shy Scottish siren of last year’s X Factor but now Emily Middlemas has broken out of her shell to launch a debut single that may surprise a lot of people.
Thanks to covers of the likes of What Makes You Beautiful, How I Know, and Creep, Emily sang herself all the way to fourth place on the ITV talent show. But while of course she’s grateful for the opportunities the TV spotlight has given her, she does admit she probably wouldn’t do it again.
“I was on a bit of a downer when I came off the show,” she told The Chronicle during a press showcase. “I kept reading comments like ‘oh she’s so boring,’ ‘she’s a young girl, why isn’t she doing fun songs?’ and it upset me, as that’s not me.
“What I’m doing now is what I’m all about and that’s why I love the fact that my single – Lost & Found – is a really fun song, that I can even dance to on stage!
“This is what I want to be putting all my hard work into. I’ve always been big into live music and that’s why I’m loving being on tour.”
Speaking of the tour, Emily was in Newcastle ahead of an intimate gig in Durham but will be back on Tyneside on November 8 to play city centre haunt Think Tank.
And ticket holders can expect an eclectic set. Emily gave a hint of what will be on her setlist with performances of Elle King’s Exs and Ohs and original track 100th Time during her showcase, and she’s also got a variety of musical influences.
“Growing up I loved Jeff Lynne, which might shock a lot of people, but his songs like All of the Lights are amazing.
“And then I’ve always been into bands like Queen and of course who doesn’t love Beyonce? Right now I’m really inspired by Dua Lipa. She’s taken over and I love how she’s all about female empowerment, as that is a message I’m all about as well.”
Emily’s single Lost & Found will be available to download and stream from Friday, September 29. If you want to see her in action in Newcastle in November you can buy tickets online from Eventbrite, priced from £11 to £29.