Why The X Factor Is Killing The Music Industry As We Know It

 Written September 2010 as guest columnist on Music Week (UK)

With news breaking this week that yet another x factor contestant has been dropped by Simon Cowells record label. It makes you think of what damage shows like the X factor are really doing to the music industry that we all know and love. 

Manufactured artists and groups have been around for decades but years ago the music industry was full of real artists who had to work hard for years to even get a record executive to notice them. Many would form groups as teenagers and spend most of their lives pursuing their musical career, some eventually finding success while others took the path of playing live in small pubs and clubs around the country. Many of these artists who were genuinely talented went onto have very successful careers in the music world. Once picked up by established record labels they had the type of backing that they needed to be a success and had access to better facilities like recording studios and legal teams. Just getting into a recording studio could take years of work and gigging due to studio hire costs which many new artists couldn't afford. 

Fast forward to the early noughties when shows like Pop idol and The X factor appeared on our TV screens. When the first series of X factor started it seemed a good idea. The show was marketed as being a gateway for talented artists to get the exposure they needed for their careers and to show how talented they were and the winning contestant was promised a recording contract and a good start to their career. Originally the show was judged by three music professionals. Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne. All respected artist managers with years of experience behind them who were adequately qualified to advise artists on the best move for their careers. However as the series continued each year it was becoming more obvious that the X factor was doing more damage to the music industry then was ever expected. The winning contestants had a song written for them and had vocal coaching so that they could perform the song to the best of their ability. The winners first single always shot to the top of the charts usually followed by a bestselling album. More often then not after the initial album nobody ever heard much more from the contestants, their careers in music were mostly short-lived. Of course we have had a few successful winners like Leona Lewis who have had very successful careers which will continue for many years. But with so many winners disappearing from the charts it makes you wonder if x factor really was working out. Many of the winners were very young and many music professionals would say they still needed years of work and experience before ever releasing a single. But with x factor everything gets rushed and the artist isn't given enough support to cope with the industry. In my opinion the x factor lost all credibility when the judging panel changed, when they brought in Cheryl Cole as a judge. Fair enough she had to go through auditions and everything just like the x factor contestants, but does she really have the experience and knowledge of the industry to advise and guide artists through their career. With all the news breaking on rumoured new judges to join the judging panel all of which are artists who only have experience of being an artist. They don't have the experience necessary to advise and guide artists all they have is their personal opinion. 

X factor contestants are dominating our charts these days and taking the resources away from real artists who have had to work really hard for their careers. So many talented groups/bands and solo artists get pushed to the side these days because the major record companies are only interested in marketing ready made packages who will make a quick buck. So if your an aspiring musician out there with dreams on being in the charts, don't go for the x factor route it'll cause you more damage then good. Instead work hard, make a decent demo and market yourself strongly. If you can get a team behind you even better. There are plenty of small independent music professionals out there with the contacts, resources and experience to push your career in the right direction.