The next X-factor winner, cloned at a X-factory near you…
Last night, my Twitter feed got inundated with comments about the X-factor. I guess everyone was watching. Except me. I cannot wait for the day it disappears off our screens, though I am sure something equally rubbish will take its place.
Sting got a lot of flak a while back, for criticising the show. If you don’t know what he said, go HERE.
He was spot on, as far as I’m concerned…
To the masses, who want to be entertained. The X-factor is great television.
They love watching Joe Blogg, who cannot sing, making an arse of himself. They also like to cheer for the underdog. They like the drama. The tears. The fighting amongst judges, etc. If you have watched at least one show, you’ll know what I am talking about.
To the musicians out there, who are struggling to be heard, it’s a travesty, a joke.
How right they are. All the X-factor is producing is manufactured pop stars to appeal to the masses.
Some of you may say: ‘Many of the X-factor winners (and some losers) have had successful careers, and so many of them can sing!’
Sure, but NONE of them are going to set the music world on fire, begin a new trend or invent a new music movement, like punk or grunge. I am not knocking them for going on the X-factor trying to get a break, but how damaging must it be for them, to be criticised in front of millions? Ah, but it’s entertainment, isn’t it…so were games at the Coliseum where people were thrown to the lions.
The problem is, the public likes conformity. They like safe. They also like junk food and have no taste. Go check the latest Top Ten in whatever country you’re in if you don’t believe me. Only once in a while, does a trend setter make it to the top. Like Nirvana did but that was over 20 years ago…sigh
There is hope though, there is a thriving music scene out there still. At least in London. The local bands, the new talent, the creators of a new genre, they are out there. Give your local music scene a chance, turn that TV off and go check out the talent that is out there.
We need a revolution…
Alannah Murphy is a former rock musician turned writer, currently working on a rock'n'roll novel set in London. 
