news article 10 november

[Inside Australian Idol]

TV music boss defends Idol worship
By Tony Davis
November 10, 2003


Australian Idol is not harmful to music, or the music industry. Simon Jones, managing director of Fremantle Music, describes as "sour grapes" comments by European MTV boss Brent Hansen that the Idol franchise was harming the music industry and singers produced by it had no value from a musical point of view.

Jones, now rolling Idol out around the world (20 countries and growing), claimed the hit TV reality show had reawakened interest in the charts.

U2 singer Bono was quoted last week as saying: "People are sick to the teeth of processed and hyped pop bands. It is crap."

"True," responded Jones. "There's been a lot of accusations of manufactured bands, but how can you manufacture an individual? If you look at the winner in the UK, Will Young, I'd say he's anything but manufactured.

"And also if you look at what (the Idol phenomenon) has done for the UK record industry, which was in a very poor state, it has created an amazing amount of interest in the charts."

In the Australian version last night the last two contestants staged a "showdown" watched by up to 4 million Australians.

Guy Sebastian, from Adelaide, sang Crazy in Love by Beyonce, and the Jackson Five song I'll Be There. Shannon Noll, from Condobolin in NSW, sang the Jimmy Barnes song Working Class Man and Please Forgive Me by Bryan Adams.

And, in a deft commercial move, both also sang Angels Brought Me Here, a ballad to be released as a single by the winner soon after the Opera House finale on November 19.


www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/09/1068329422449.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

What a Guy, and what a Shannon
Luke Dennehy
10nov03

THE two are poles apart in style, but judging by last night's final performances on Australian Idol, the result will be close between Shannon Noll and Guy Sebastian.

Despite both being tired and suffering sore throats, both delivered top performances, which suited their individual styles.
Those two stand-out performances were Sebastian, 21, singing a stirring and unique rendition of I'll Be There by the Jackson Five, and Noll, 27, blasted the audience away with a version of Working Class Man by Jimmy Barnes.

Sebastian is favourite with punters, but Noll has always had a strong fan base with his appealing old-fashioned Aussie bloke personality, which will make the result interesting.

Noll was emotional after singing the final song, the new Australian Idol single Angels Brought Me Here, thinking of his father Neil who died in a farming accident two years ago.









Behind the scenes Sebastian is regarded as the more serious musician, and has impressed everybody with his unique takes on songs throughout the competition.

All three judges, Ian Dickson, Marcia Hines and Mark Holden praised the two last night, with not one negative comment about either finalist.

Earlier in the show Dickson praised the Australian public for voting for two very different people.

"They are here because they are the best," he said.

"They are two very different people who are amazing."

It was also confirmed that we will never know the result of last week's show, after Cosima De Vito pulled out at the last minute. The controversy has overshadowed the final result, with many believing that Sebastian actually had already won the competition by default.

The two finalists will now tour the country, and will be in Melbourne tomorrow with a free concert at Luna Park in the afternoon for 3000 fans.

The Australian Idol single Rise Up, which has been No.1 on the charts for three weeks, is expected to lose that position to Kylie Minogue's new single Slow when charts are released today.

The first single by the winner of Australian Idol, Angels Brought Me Here, will be released after the winner is announced on November 19.

Two different film clips were recorded last week.


www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7818768%255E2902,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Guy outshines rival
By Michael Owen-Brown
November 10, 2003


ADELAIDE singer Guy Sebastian last night took a huge step towards pop stardom with a stunning final performance on Australian Idol.
The 21-year-old oozed confidence as he showcased his vocal range with a soulful version of the Jackson Five's I'll Be There, before breaking into a funky disco rendition of Beyonce Knowles' Crazy in Love.

He also unveiled the song that would be the winner's first single, a newly-written rhythm and blues ballad called Angels Brought Me Here.

"You are an absolutely phenomenal talent. You are incredible," judge Ian 'Dicko' Dickson told him.

"I think you are destined for a huge amount of success and knowing you, and knowing what a lovely bloke you are, I don't think anybody would begrudge you that."










His rival and close friend, NSW farmer Shannon Noll, 27, took more of a rock approach but seemed to struggle to hit the higher notes of Bryan Adams' Please Forgive Me.

However, Shannon rebounded strongly with a powerful performance of the Jimmy Barnes classic Working Class Man. Shannon's interpretation of Angels Brought Me Here also wowed the audience.

Appropriately, the single opens with the lyrics: "Its been a long and winding journey but I'm finally here tonight."

During the next week and a half a huge amount of telephone and SMS votes will be tallied before the winner is announced during the grand final at the Sydney Opera House on November 19.

Channel 10 has kept tight-lipped about the number of people who vote each week but last night's show was expected to attract about 2.5 million viewers.

Guy last night admitted the stress of competition was taking its toll.

"It's very tough but it's well worth it," he said. "People have supported us this far so we will take anything they throw at us."

The Daily Telegraph

entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,7821655%255E10431%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Town cheers its Idol
November 10, 2003


LATE yesterday afternoon it rained in Condobolin for the first time in weeks - not that anyone paid much attention.
Instead, the thoughts of everyone in the central western town were on one thing - the performance of local boy Shannon Noll in the Australian Idol final.

Every spare surface on the main drag of Bathurst St was covered in graffiti, posters and cardboard cutouts of the boy from the bush who has lifted the spirits of a struggling town.

From the old-timers propping up the Royal Hotel bar to the kids in the pool, "Nollsy" was the talk of Condo yesterday.

It's been a tough few years for the farming community of 3500, as the drought ripped its heart out.










But it's been rougher for the Nolls. For Shannon and his elder brothers Adam and Damien, the world fell apart when their father Neil died in a farming accident two years ago, and they have been forced to sell the family farm to make ends meet.

Shannon's performance last night, and the fact he made the Idol final, has been the only thing to celebrate for ages.

Tips at the pub are pooled towards voting for the Condo Kid, shops sell Shannon cookies and for the grand finale on November 19, the main street will be blocked off and a big screen will take pride of place as the winner is announced.

Forbes, Parkes, Dubbo and Wellington are also right behind the 27-year-old father of two.

Hundreds filled the Royal and Condo Hotels last night to cheer on their hero against rival Guy Sebastian, while family members who didn't go to Sydney gathered at his uncle Shaune Swadling's for the penultimate show.

"I can't really explain how much support there is in the town for him. It's changed Condo," Mr Swadling said yesterday.

"I drive the local taxi and it's all everyone has been talking about. I don't think I've heard a negative comment.

"He's one of the best blokes you'll ever meet."

Royal Hotel publican "Blue" Reardon said: "It's given people something to think about besides the drought."

The Daily Telegraph

entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,7821654%255E10229%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol fans feel the heat in Perth


A number of young girls were treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration when the two finalists of the Australian Idol television show appeared in public in Perth.

More than 6,000 fans crammed into Forrest Place in the city in 33 degree heat to watch Guy Sebastian, 22, and Shannon Noll, 26, sing a song and answer questions.

The appearance was the first of a whirlwind national tour for the young hopefuls ahead of next week's final of the popular reality program.

A spokeswoman for St Johns ambulance said the privately-organised first aid post was overwhelmed by people presenting with heat exhaustion and dehydration, and had to call the ambulance service for back up.

It was unclear how many people needed treatment but St Johns said there were numerous - and all were young girls.

Perth is in the middle of unseasonably hot weather.

On Saturday, the mercury reached 35.6, and on Sunday it made 31.1.

Late on Monday, the temperature was 34 and still climbing towards the forecast top of 36.

Tuesday is forecast to be 39 degrees, with temperatures set to peak at 40 on Wednesday.

news.ninemsn.com.au/Entertainment/story_39975.asp