Jack and Joel, two friends who met at university, were about to audition to a rather displeased and bored Simon Cowell when they said they were going to cover Ed Sheeran for their performance. The judges of The X Factor saw more than their fair share of Ed Sheeran covers during the show’s audition phase, but there was something different about this duo that was going to make them stand out from the rest, and then some.
On The X Factor, we meet all kinds of people from all walks of life. Part of the show’s appeal is how it introduces us to so many different dynamics of families, friends, people in relationships, and so much more. This audition was no different, as Jack and Joel are true, honest friends who want to explore music together whilst also celebrating their individualities, something which is incredibly important today. Their performance is fun and uplifting, which you can watch in the video below:
What is incredibly endearing about Jack and Joel is the relationship that the two have together. After meeting at Oxford University and becoming really good friends in their first year, they began to sing together. Since then, their friendship has grown stronger and stronger, and they ultimately decided to make a music group together. Despite being just very good friends, the pair are often confused about being in a relationship, which is a testament to how well they get on.
Jack and Joel’s performance centered around a mashup of all of the upbeat tracks off of Ed Sheeran’s 2017 record, Divide. Even though Ed Sheeran had experienced fame and success before this record, Divide skyrocketed his success thanks to his experimentation with other genres and styles. Two of the most popular tracks off of Divide were “Castle on the Hill” and “Shape of You”, both of which have been remixed many times since their releases. Listen below:
While Simon Cowell may have raised his eyebrows at the thought of yet another Ed Sheeran cover before Jack and Joel performed, he certainly changed his opinion on the duo when they finished. The judges had nothing but praise for this up-and-coming talent powerhouse, who commended them on their personalities and their ability to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Overall, feedback was positive and they earned their place in the next stage of the competition.
They may have received positive feedback on their audition, but they sadly did not make it very far into the competition. Jack and Joel completed The X Factor’s bootcamp and Six Chair Challenge stages but were eliminated at the judge’s houses. It is uncertain what the duo are up to at the moment, but we wish them the very best in life and hope they can continue to celebrate their strong friendship together.