[Wildcat!]

Sting has attacked The X Factor and predicted that the contestants will not go on to have long-lasting success.

The singer-songwriter and former Police frontman told the Evening Standard that he is not a fan of the reality talent contest.

Hard slog, a golden voice and finding his own luck made Sting successful, which is why he deplores the instant, fame-obsessed public spectacle of the X Factor. “I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly. They are humiliated when they get sent off. How appalling for a young person to feel that rejection. It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music. In fact, it has put music back decades. Television is very cynical.”

Sting says he really tried to give the talent show a chance when he watched it. “I tried to keep an open mind, but basically I was looking at televised karaoke where they conform to stereo-types. They are either Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston or Boyzone and are not encouraged to create any real unique signature or fingerprint. That cannot come from TV. The X Factor is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognisable talent apart from self-promotion, advising them what to wear and how to look. It is appalling.

“The real shop floor for musical talent is pubs and clubs, that is where the original work is. But they are being closed down on a daily basis. It is impossible to put an act on in a pub. It has become too expensive through excessive regulations. The music industry has been hugely important to England, bringing in millions. If anyone thinks the X Factor is going to do that, they are wrong.”

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/...ing-nowhere.do

[Shaun]

Well he's not wrong.

[Stu]

I don't see the big debate. Hard to argue with him, really. Even if you like the show for it's cheap entertainment value he is bang on the money.

[setanta]

Can't argue with anything he's said really.

[Wildcat!]

That why I posted it. I agreed with everything he said. ANd just find it sad, that serious artists would go on that show for a cheap single promo.
And the TV show make people ignore some of the real talent out there.

Its funny how Simon always criticized people by telling them that they sound like Pub singers! LOL!

[Ramsay]

Sting is amazing
Ill never forget Quadrophenia

[Stu]

The problem I think comes from the fact that hardcore X-Factor fans really see it as a talent show because they think singing = talent. It's great to have a good voice, yeah, and it's a talent, but proper long term musical success is about much more than that. A lot of ordinary people are really good singers.

Originally Posted by Karl.

Sting is amazing
Ill never forget Quadrophenia

Yeah he is fantastic in it. Especially at the end!

[setanta]

Yep, you rarely see anyone on the show who can stamp their own signature onto a song. I wonder if this is down to the plastic, user friendly appeal of the show that doesn't allow for any reinterpretation or if it's more a question of the lack of real talent. I mean, I can't think of many performers who refreshed a song with a new spin on it. Take a bow J and E.

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by setanta

Yep, you rarely see anyone on the show who can stamp their own signature onto a song. I wonder if this is down to the plastic, user friendly appeal of the show that doesn't allow for any reinterpretation or if it's more a question of the lack of real talent. I mean, I can't think of many performers who refreshed a song with a new spin on it. Take a bow J and E.

But there are some you know, unique talents in the auditions, that dont fit the mould. BUt they dont let them in the show. They dont make it to the top 12 usually. There was that guy with the mohawk in the over 25's who they didnt let in. They had this goth type singer as well, in the boys I think, and they didnt let him in. INstead chose to go with Lloyd and such.
SO if they want it to be a real talent show, they need to diversify, and give everyone a chance.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

But there are some you know, unique talents in the auditions, that dont fit the mould. BUt they dont let them in the show. They dont make it to the top 12 usually. There was that guy with the mohawk in the over 25's who they didnt let in. They had this goth type singer as well, in the boys I think, and they didnt let him in. INstead chose to go with Lloyd and such.
SO if they want it to be a real talent show, they need to diversify, and give everyone a chance.

It's plastic pop, that's all: you have to accept that the more unique ones usually wont be given a chance and if by sheer luck they do manage to get through, they'll be usually remodelled in an attempt to make them more palatable to the public, and usually at the expense of what made them real and authentic in the first place. The two Rachel's in both series' were a case in point for me.

Do you remember a young black guy maybe 2 years ago that got to the judges' house but didn't make it through? He had a kinda afro and sounded a bit like Paul Young but was very rough around the edges? I bloody loved him but knew he wouldn't be able to jump through all the hoops that they place in front of you on the live shows. It's conveyor belt stuff.

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by setanta

It's plastic pop, that's all: you have to accept that the more unique ones usually wont be given a chance and if by sheer luck they do manage to get through, they'll be usually remodelled in an attempt to make them more palatable to the public, and usually at the expense of what made them real and authentic in the first place. The two Rachel's in both series' were a case in point for me.

Do you remember a young black guy maybe 2 years ago that got to the judges' house but didn't make it through? He had a kinda afro and sounded a bit like Paul Young but was very rough around the edges? I bloody loved him but knew he wouldn't be able to jump through all the hoops that they place in front of you on the live shows. It's conveyor belt stuff.

Yeah I remember the dude. Really young. I think he was called Liam. INstead,they let Eoghan and those other clowns through.
And for your first point, I think thats what happened to Austin on the live shows.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

Yeah I remember the dude. Really young. I think he was called Liam. INstead,they let Eoghan and those other clowns through.
And for your first point, I think thats what happened to Austin on the live shows.

You remember that chap? He was a bit rough but I thought he had great potential and bloody loved the tone of his voice.

[Stu]

Christ, you know it's the X-Factor when 'goth type singer' is considered out there and exciting.

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by Stu

Christ, you know it's the X-Factor when 'goth type singer' is considered out there and exciting.

Its just something different. LIke Adam Lambert was for American Idol.

[InOne]

Well said Sting, legend.

[Jords]

Ugh X-Factor is a bit of fun, lighten up!

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Jords

Ugh X-Factor is a bit of fun, lighten up!

Yet half the contestants say it's their 'dream'.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Jords

Ugh X-Factor is a bit of fun, lighten up!

For us yes, for the contestants - no, not in the long run.

[Jords]

Originally Posted by InOne

Yet half the contestants say it's their 'dream'.

Im sure they would have had a load of fun doing the show,
they know that there are vote offs...

But, I dont like it when acts are given harsh comments,
they dont deserve them if they are picked to be in the final 12 right?
Bad comments acceptible, but some of the things them judges come out with are

[Alf]

i dont think simon cowell will be to bothered what sting has to say, cowell's made millions off the gullable, easily led, modern britsh public.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Jords

Ugh X-Factor is a bit of fun, lighten up!

For us, yeah, but shows like this are playing a big part in lowering the standards of chart creativity and killing the music business for genuine artists who want to get ahead. I want no part in supporting that.

Don't sound like too much fun to me.

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Jords

Im sure they would have had a load of fun doing the show,
they know that there are vote offs...

But, I dont like it when acts are given harsh comments,
they dont deserve them if they are picked to be in the final 12 right?
Bad comments acceptible, but some of the things them judges come out with are

Just all part of the show and the pointless drama that comes with it.

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by Stu

For us, yeah, but shows like this are playing a big part in lowering the standards of chart creativity and killing the music business for genuine artists who want to get ahead. I want no part in supporting that.

Don't sound like too much fun to me.

Right on. Ive been saying it for weeks! I didnt even realised how bad, until I saw every single performance on the xfactor, reach the top of the charts. Regardless of who its from, or how bad it was. It feels very robotic. But i usually get my head chewed off, whenever I moan about it.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

Right on. Ive been saying it for weeks! I didnt even realised how bad, until I saw every single performance on the xfactor, reach the top of the charts. Regardless of who its from, or how bad it was. It feels very robotic. But i usually get my head chewed off, whenever I moan about it.

Yep, 'robotic' is the best word I can use to describe it!

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

Right on. Ive been saying it for weeks! I didnt even realised how bad, until I saw every single performance on the xfactor, reach the top of the charts. Regardless of who its from, or how bad it was. It feels very robotic. But i usually get my head chewed off, whenever I moan about it.

It is a shame they all sing such crap songs, and they all seem to re-chart.