Dom welcomes us back to NZ Idol, tonight is all about My Generation, "every song you hear will be so fresh and sparkling, it's barely had time to hit the charts" (1999?!). He welcomes all the Idols onto the stage.

Group song: The Reason (Hoobastank) - 2003 He welcomes the judges, who compliment Dom on being "fresh and fruity". Frankie jokes he's listening to some of his music from the mid-70's on his stereo. Is Paul wearing a Labour wristband? Paul jokes that he was in a night club less than 12 hours ago thenn does a plug for Kiwi FM. Note Toni from Shortland Street behind the judges.

Jesse: I Don't Wanna Be (Gavin DeGraw) - 2005 Jesse first talks about keeping everyone relaxed and grounded in the Idol house. Once again, the backing track volume doesn't seem right with his vocals - it sounds terrible compared to hearing it live. The volume keeps changing weirdly and it's bugging me ugh.

• Jackie: "Wow Jesse, I love the way you come out here, I dig all the Jesse mannerisms. Keep it coming, keep it rocking, I love it."
• Frankie: "The voice is great, you've got a sound, a style and some soul in there as well, way to go man."
• Paul: "People will definitely go and buy tickets to come and see you cos you're so great."

Dom notes that Jesse hasn't had any bad comments from the judges to date.

Interlude: clicking moments... we get to see a bunch of randoms giving "great finger-clicking actions" and a guy singing "Over the rainbow", to which Paul says to click his heels and get out of here.

Frank: That Girl (Marques Houston) - 2003. Frank says being in the bottom 3 was a big wake up call and he's been too arrogant, carried away and too confident and needed to come back down to earth - to be versatile, to do different styles and to show more of himself but he comes out and does another r'n'b track.

• Frankie: "You've been listening brother, that was the most natural performance you've given the whole time on Idol. I enjoyed that, well done."
• Paul: "Perhaps you're back in the competition."
• Jackie: "Frank that is a million dollar smile. You took a big step, well done."

Dom says he's a different person round the studio. Frank says he let all this fame get to his head and he's back down to earth now.

Rosita: Golden (Jill Scott) - 2004. Rosita wants to give her all this week, so she's definitely looking forward to performing. She's wearing a black dress, dressy jandals and a sparkly flowery shawl. She starts off singing behind a mic stand.

• Paul: "You're actually fanstastic, you have an amazing voice, that was a fantastic performance, well done."
• Jackie: "You know there is nothing sexier than a woman in jandals. That performance was so strong, so grounded. You're my Polynesian goddess!"
• Frankie: "That's a performance that just comes naturally, fantastic." Rosita is proud of her family's support and feels blessed by her great parents.

Dom says that after the break there's a "new" song by an old band. Uh huh, if you call 1999 a new song!

Steve: Smooth (Santana and Rob Thomas) - 1999. Dom says tonight is all about brand new music again. Steve says this week he wants to do something more upbeat and fun, and not do a ballad. He prepared himself for the bottom 3 last week but doesn't want to be there again this week. I'm sorry but this week he just seems all cheese to me. He's also out of time.

• Jackie: "Steve mate, you got the pop star thing going but some of those moves were cheesey. Watch your vocal, the tuning in the bottom end of your range."
• Paul: "Dirty it up, grit it out, flow on the stage, you're holding so much back."
• Frankie: "Too cheesey, the song sounded a bit low for you in the beginning. You might well be on that chair again on Monday night."

Dom says he didn't say any cheese but Steve says it's all cheese man.  Steve tried to work on his vocals and give it his all and will see what happens on Monday.

Rongo: Colour Me Life (Katchafire) - 2004.  Rongo is wearing a necklace for whanau's support. He's chosen a reggae song, his favourite kind of music. He's trying as hard as he can to grow and hopes he's getting better and better. He's walking around with his knees bent which is quite funny.

• Paul: "I think it's an inspired choice of song, gets my vote, not sure about the voice though."
• Frankie: "You sing ok but there were one too many wrong-o notes in there. You've grown a lot, I don't know if you'll go any further though."
• Jackie: "It's impossible to watch you without feeling good, you're so open and generous. We're at the money end of business now which is exposing you somewhat, it wasn't quite in the pocket. You're really growing though so keep on the upward trend."

Dom says Rongo has been the old-school guy until now. Rongo says each week is a challenge and is hoping to grow more through the competition.

Two more performances after the break.

The judges put on a surprise dinner for the Idols at their house. I bet they didn't cook any of that food though. Jackie talks about snoring, Paul asks Rongo when he's running for Mayor of Mohaka. Frank asks a question begining with "Do yous feel funny when..." We see Jessie on the guitar.

Teresa: Going Under (Evanescence) - 2003.  Teresa is glad to be back in the judges' good books but it's a clean slate each week. She wants to do a stand-still rock song with a crunchy guitar underneath and hopes the eeriness of the vocals will help her.

• Paul: "You're a great composed performer, the audience loves you, well done."
• Jackie: "Look at the state of you, you look so hot, it oughta be illegal. Your technique is fantastic, your focus 100%. You own the stage, it's delicious!"
• Frankie: "That was really good, fantastic!"

Dom says she looks fantastic. "You're dirty girl, and I like it!" Teresa says this is the sort of music she listens to and it was a blast.

Next week's show is soul with Marcia Hines.

Nik: I Believe In A Thing Called Love (Lemar's version of The Darkness's song) - 2003. Nik says it felt really good not to be in the bottom 3 this week. He says he's learning a lot about himself and is going to let it rip this week. Nik's falsetto is incredible and he's definitely back in the game this week!

• Paul: "Yeah, let's talk about those lyrics, shall we? A few weeks ago you wrote yourself out of the competition, tonight you're back in it."
• Jackie: "Wow Nik, I so look forward to your song choices each week, that was inspired, wicked! You keep surprising me each week, that falsetto.. talk about secret weapon. I can feel it, it's really working!"
• Frankie: "From me to you brother, ohhhhhh yeeaaaahh!"

Dom ask if those high notes hurts, Nik says you have to squeeze those ones out!