Talent shows remain very popular on contemporary television. Following a period dominated by dance shows, singing competitions have returned to the mainstream. Two recent Netflix formats are proof of this.
The first is Building the Band, produced by Banijay’s Remarkable Entertainment and due to launch on 9 July. While formats like this often have a similar mechanism, this one has an interesting twist: the aim is to bring together up-and-coming vocalists to form the ultimate supergroup before the artists ever meet face-to-face.
According to the show’s official logline, “Building the Band brings together talented singers [50 in total] for a truly unique competition show where building the perfect band is all about chemistry. The singers are in complete control as they seek to form their very own bands [6 in total] in individual ‘booths’ without ever seeing each other. All they have to go on is musical compatibility, connection, chemistry and merit. What will happen when the bands finally meet, and looks, choreography, and style come into play? With incredible performances, compelling drama, and one big goal—to find the next great music band—the stage is set for an unforgettable experience.”
The series is hosted by AJ McLean (member of the Backstreet Boys) with Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger (frontwoman of the band The Pussycat Dolls) serving as mentor and judge, and musical experts and guest judges Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child and Liam Payne of One Direction. This was the singer’s last appearance before his tragic death on 16 October, after which he fell from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires.
The second, which is more hybrid in nature (part talent show, part factual programme) is Hitmakers, produced by by Done and Done Productions and Harvey Mason Media, that will be on air on July 24.
The series features a dozen of the music industry’s top songwriters and producers — who between them have credits on songs by artists like Beyoncé, BTS, Arianna Grande, Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber and Jelly Roll — assembling for a trio of high-stakes writing camps, with the goal of crafting new songs for stars John Legend, Shaboozey, and Lisa of Blackpink. The cameras are on hand to capture all the chaos (creative and otherwise) that unfolds as the housemates navigate the personal and emotional pressures that come with writing a hit song.
