The Mad-Dog return to the stage of X Factor 2026 on Thursday, October 29, for the second Live Show, scheduled for 9:15 p.m. on Sky Uno and streaming on NOW. After making it through their debut with “Club Foot” by Kasabian, the band from Sassari faces a new week of preparation on Paola Iezzi’s team, aiming to secure another place in the competition.

For Renato Marchisio, Davide Dore, Luca Pintus and Jacopo Sale, the first live show marked an important confirmation: after winning approval in the selection rounds, they also made it through thanks to the public vote.

The second Live after performing Club Foot

On October 22, the four members from Sassari opened the first round and secured a place in the next episode without having to face the sing-off. The account of the Mad-Dog qualifying for the second Live looks back at a debut that kept the group’s energy and rapport at its heart.

Now the challenge will be to build on that performance. Their renditions of songs by Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers and Kasabian have established a distinctive path: the next round will show how this identity can develop through new song choices and arrangements.

As of October 26, the sources consulted do not confirm which song has been assigned to Mad-Dog for the second Live. The song and any performance details therefore remain to be confirmed.

Rehearsals, the public vote and the risk of elimination

Working with Paola Iezzi and the show’s staff will shape preparations for the new performance. For the band, maintaining the rhythm, balancing the instruments and vocals, and managing nerves will be key things to watch in the next performance.

In the competition, the public vote remains central. The rules provide that the contestants with the fewest votes may be at risk of elimination and have to perform again, followed by a decision from the judges. If the judges are tied, the Tilt puts the decision back in the hands of the public; the production team may nevertheless change the structure of the rounds.

Those who want to support the group can consult the guide to voting for Mad-Dog on X Factor. Votes may be cast only during the voting windows open during the live show, following the instructions provided for that session.

The next stages, from original songs to the final

After October 29, the schedule includes Live shows on November 5, 12 and 19, followed by the semifinal on November 26. The final is set for Thursday, December 3, at the Unipol Forum in Assago. For Mad-Dog, taking part in each stage will depend on the results of the preceding episodes.

Another goal will be to reach the presentation of the original songs, which is part of the show’s journey. For a band that has already released Shame On Youth, this would be an opportunity to introduce their own songwriting too, explored in our feature on the story of Mad-Dog from Sassari.

The first hurdle is the second Live: tune in on October 29 at 9:15 p.m., from the Teatro Repower in Assago.