Earlier this week, a big "twist" for The X Factor was revealed. There would be no public vote for the first live show as the judges would have to eliminate one of their own acts.

The 16 acts performed tonight to convince their mentors that they should stay on in the competition. 

In running order of their performances, here is what the contestants sang and what the judges thought.

1. 16-year-old Amelia Lily sang Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' and Kelly Rowland's "little popstar" did not disappoint. Gary Barlow said that it was a great way to open the show and both Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh gave her the thumbs up. 

2. Johnny Robinson, who is mentored by Walsh, took to the stage in a silver trench coat and performed Cher's 1998 hit, 'Believe'. Tulisa said that the 45-year-old was her "guilty pleasure" and Rowland said that she enjoyed it. However, Barlow did not agree. He said: "Here comes Louis Walsh and he absolutely turns you into a circus act. It is so disappointing...I didn't like it at all". 

3. The first group of the night, Rhythmix, performed Nicki Minaj's 'Super Bass', with each of the girls taking on vocals and rapping. Walsh said that the group were meant to perform together, and even though Rowland wants a tighter performance from them, Barlow claimed that they were the "best girl band that's been on The X Factor". 

4. Frankie Cocozza, who donned what Tulisa refers to as "guy-liner", sang Ed Sheeran's 'The A Team'. The 17-year-old wowed all of the judges as they complimented his energy and vocals but Walsh put it best when he said: "Some people were born to be on stage and sing and to strut. You got a great strut and a great voice".

5. Sophie Habibis stunned the audience with her glamourous makeover but her performance of Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream' stunned them, and the judges, even more. Barlow said: "Really, really brilliant. Where have you come from? I don't remember your audition or you in boot camp...Kelly, I'm going to fall out of love with you if she's not here next week". Rowland, her mentor, was in awe of Habibis. Her reaction said it all: "I like Katy Perry but she just killed that girl's song". 

6. Jonjo Kerr's performance of The Kinks' 'You Really Got Me' left all the judges very disappointed, including his own mentor, Walsh. Barlow said: "...seeing you amongst all the other acts, you stick out like a sore thumb. And tonight, you've made Louis' decision really easy".

7. The Essex girls, 2 Shoes, brought fun to the show with their version of Girls Aloud's 'Something Kinda Ooh". With a pink convertible and topless dancing men, Walsh described it as "fun", "cute", "camp" and "kitsch". Rowland said: "I'm like, y'all are hella fun, can we hang out?" However, Barlow's comparison of 2 Shoes to a "karaoke night in Romford" resulted in Contostavlos saying that he didn't know "how to have fun".

8. James Michael had the big task of singing The Beatles' 'Ticket To Ride'.  Walsh likened him to a "busker in Covent Garden" and both Rowland and Contostavlos voiced their disappointment in the singer, who also played guitar tonight. Barlow defended his act and said that he "reinvented that classic". 

9. Misha Bryan's twist on Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep' saw the competition rise as Barlow exclaimed that he "hated" Rowland for having an act he described as "incredible" and "modern". Walsh said that the 19-year-old was like a diva and Contostavlos said: "You really bring it when you step on that stage".

10. N-Dubz singer Contostavlos started an argument with Barlow when she claimed that her act Nu Vibe were "the next generation of boyband". They took on Chris Brown's 'Beautiful People" and while Walsh and Rowland enjoyed their performance, Barlow said: "the song choice was good but you could hide behind it".

11. Marcus Collins proved to be very popular with the judges as they all complimented him on his positive attitude and his constant smile. He performed 'Moves Like Jagger' and not only did he take on the vocals of Maroon 5's frontman, Adam Levine, he also took on the vocals of Christina Aguilera. 

12. Walsh's act, Sami Brookes, displayed her big vocals on the disco hit, 'Free', by Ultra Nate. Rowland said: "There is an overwhelming abundance of putting it down tonight. I am so happy you're here. [To Walsh] I just wanna thump you right on your head. I want her too". Barlow stated that he would leave the show if Walsh didn't put her through to next week's show. 

13. The second boyband of the night, The Risk, impressed all of the judges with their take on Plan B's 'She Said'. Barlow confidently said: "This is a band". Walsh said: "We've had JLS, we've had One Direction. Now we have The Risk". Contostavlos, their mentor, said: "There is no cheese with you...this is a credible boy band".

14. Craig Colton, as Walsh pointed out has lost weight, but his big voice remains as he slayed Christina Perri's 'Jar Of Hearts'. Contostavlos said that he had "something special" but Rowland almost had to resort to action to demonstrate her delight with his performance. She said: "We have a thing in America where we throw something at someone if they’re killing it and I almost through my pen at you and said 'you sing it boy!'".

15. The second last act of the night was Kitty Brucknell who performed a dramatic version of Queen's 'Who Wants To Live Forever'. The judges all said that there was an element to Brucknell that people either hated or loved but Barlow concluded that this performance proved that she could sing. Walsh, her mentor, said that she brought a lot to the stage: "You're amazing, you're controversial, you're spellbinding, you're dramatic, you're trouble".

16. Janet Devlin (pictured above), who now sports flaming red hair, was the final act of the night and she performed Coldplay's 'Fix You'. Contostavlos described her as "mesmerising". Walsh said that the 16-year-old from Tyrone, Ireland had "Celtic soul" and the "voice of an angel". Her mentor Rowland appeared to be emotional when she said: "As a performer you've grown, as a young woman you've grown...I am so proud of you mamma".

So, there we have it. 16 acts, 16 songs, two and a half hours.

The judges will announce tomorrow which act they will be sending home from their own category. Tune in to ITV1 tomorrow night at 8pm to see who will get through to the second round of live performances. 

Watch Amelia Lily and Nu Vibe's video diaries for The X Factor below: