A New Take on the Music Reality Format
Netflix’s latest series, Building the Band, is part of a long tradition of television shows that have tried to identify the next big pop star. While this format has seen its peak in the past, with shows like American Idol and The X Factor once dominating the airwaves, it has been some time since such programs produced the kind of household names they once did. The Voice continues to run, but it no longer holds the same level of excitement or success as before.
Building the Band aims to bring a fresh approach to the genre by incorporating elements from other reality TV formats. Instead of traditional judges, the contestants perform for fellow singers who then decide whether they want to join a band by pressing a button and collecting “likes.” This mix of Love Is Blind, The Circle, and The Voice creates a unique dynamic, though the show leans heavily on the latter’s structure.
Although Liam Payne does not appear in the first batch of episodes, he makes an appearance as a guest judge later on, alongside Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger. Payne, who passed away at the age of 31 last October, was working on this project until his death, making it his final contribution to the music industry. There has been some controversy around the release of the show, with critics questioning if it is appropriate to broadcast a program featuring Payne given the circumstances of his passing. Some viewers find it unsettling to see him return to the reality show scene, knowing how his story ended. The show itself frames its release as a tribute, with presenter AJ McLean, of the Backstreet Boys, opening the series with a heartfelt acknowledgment of Payne’s passion for music and the unexpected loss of their friend.
As a reality show, Building the Band is watchable and well-produced, with enough suspense to keep viewers engaged. However, the first four episodes can feel somewhat drawn out and repetitive. The show features 50 singers, each performing individually in their own pods or “sound booths.” Each contestant has a maximum of 10 likes, which they can use by pressing a large button. If a singer receives fewer than five likes, they are eliminated. Additionally, if they run out of people who have liked them because those individuals have formed other bands, they are also out. Despite the seemingly complex system, it is not as mathematically demanding as it sounds.
The singers featured in the early stages of the show are professional-sounding and highly competent, showcasing a level of performance that reflects the evolution of singing over the past 25 years. Compared to older auditions from shows like Pop Idol, the current standard is significantly higher. In these early stages, critiques are delivered by the performers themselves, often with tact rather than harshness. There are no comedic bad auditions here, and rejections, when they occur, are swift but sincere. McLean is tasked with delivering the difficult news, maintaining a respectful tone throughout.
As the more impressive contestants move into their respective bands, they perform together for the first time, allowing them to see their chosen bandmates. This moment, similar to the experience on Love Is Blind, reveals immediate chemistry or lack thereof. It is reminiscent of the point in Naked Attraction where viewers finally see above the knee, highlighting the contrast between what is said and what is felt.
By the end of the first batch of episodes, hints of a more intense and competitive reality show begin to emerge. The winning band stands to win half a million dollars, leading to promises made that may not be easily kept. There is a character reminiscent of Regina George, embodying the “I’m not afraid of conflict” stereotype common in reality TV. As the bands live and work together 24/7, the initial respectful interactions of the sound booths may give way to more dramatic tensions.
One might question why Building the Band focuses on groups in an era dominated by solo artists, but perhaps the show is designed more for the dramatic spectacle than for creating stars. Whether this revival of the format will succeed or simply shift it into a more conventional reality TV space remains to be seen. Interestingly, I keep referring to it as “Breaking the Band,” partly due to the influence of the early 00s show Making the Band, but I wonder if there is a deeper reason behind the slip.
• Building the Band is available on Netflix.
