Softly spoken former X Factor star arrives at the Corn Exchange this month
You might remember Rebecca Ferguson as the softly spoken Liverpudlian mum who appeared on The X Factor back in 2010. Guest judge Nicole Scherzinger was a fan from the off, declaring her to be ‘our generation’s songbird’ after an early audition, whilst Dannii and Cheryl gave her a standing ovation after her heartfelt rendition of Candle in the Wind. She eventually lost out to Matt Cardle for the crown, but soon signed to Simon Cowell’s label Syco.
Unlike many hopefuls from the show, she’s shrugged off the reality TV label and become an artist in her own right. Her first album, Heaven, drew comparisons to soul greats including Aretha Franklin, hitting number three in the charts, whilst her follow-up, Freedom, explored a more R & B, dance-orientated musical direction.
For her third album, Lady Sings The Blues, Ferguson dived into the world of jazz for a complete album of Billie Holiday covers, released in 2015, the year that the iconic singer would have celebrated her 100th birthday. Again, she’s proved her ability to make the critics fawn over her, with The Times likening her to Dusty Springfield at the height of career. See for yourself at the Corn Exchange on 28 January at 7.30pm, tickets start at £25.
