October 11, 20213 yr the thing is, like mcfly and the vamps, these bands tried all sorts of tricks back in the day to get hits... 5 no.1s???! I could name you two? Am I surprised that JLS' comeback single has stalled at #71 ? No? Would I be surprised if I were JLS? No.
October 11, 20213 yr The comeback feels a bit flat tbh. Prior to lockdown around their One Show performance there seemed to be a lot of hype. No hit single (appreciate that’s almost a non-starter with streaming etc.,) and lots of backlash over the tour/M&G. Hopefully the album does well for them but atm it just seems as if it will do ‘ok’ rather than be a decent seller.
October 11, 20213 yr Hopefully the album does well for them but atm it just seems as if it will do ‘ok’ rather than be a decent seller. Honestly, it's going to be frontloaded. I think it's a mistake to release it in the fourth quarter as a #13-OUT will look worse than let's say a #3-OUT, even if it manages to sell roughly the same. Edited October 11, 20213 yr by tommie
October 12, 20213 yr whats the backlash about the tour/m&g? Basically their promoter changed it last week so now it's a photo in front of them whilst they're stood on stage and submitting a question for a Q&A that may or may not get answered. They've said it was out of their hands but considering what approaches McFly and Steps have taken with Meet and Greets on their tours which have either just ended or are about to start it's not the best. Most people have either got a refund at point of sale under grounds of the date already moving twice (as I indeed did) or are just accepting less than what they paid for. I must admit I am not feeling that confident of the album doing as well as I thought it would now. That we are still getting one is enough for me, anything else is a bonus as far as I'm concerned. Just hope it does relatively well enough to justify another tour next year but I don't feel optimistic of even that happening at this stage. Edited October 12, 20213 yr by ThePensmith
October 12, 20213 yr They've not exactly made a big push for it, so I can't say I'm surprised at how it's charted either.
October 12, 20213 yr Author For what it’s worth, my brother’s done promotion for Marvin’s DJ shows recently, and apparently he said the aim was to get the album to #1. So he must have been fairly confident with their pre-orders so far. Did they do any bundles with the tour tickets?
October 12, 20213 yr If the aim was to get the album to number 1, they’re failing miserably. I saw a lot of people cancelling and refunding their orders when the “signed” albums turned into “printed signed inserts.”
October 12, 20213 yr They may want a #1 album but I don’t think they’ll be anywhere close. As mentioned above everyone that pre-ordered signed CD and vinyl got an email to say it would now be a signed insert - it also said that the CD insert would be signed by all members and one band member for the vinyl insert? Added to that the M&G issue. They could have done more to push the single - promo has been minimal and they are the kind of act that could release signed CD singles to create a bit of excitement about the release with the fanbase.
October 12, 20213 yr Honestly, this is all looking more and more like a All Saints Studio 1 situation to me where everyone just have waaaay too unrealistic expectations. December sales might not be as massive as they used to be, but it's a reach for them that far. I'd get it if they were releasing in a quiet week, but...
October 12, 20213 yr I don't wish to get too despondent and dramatic - we do after all live in a current climate where, up until less than 24 hours ago, Jesy Nelson looked like she still had a bankable solo career. Nothing is a certainty. But all the factors highlighted above aren't really screaming success at the moment. As I said I hope I'm proved wrong because based on the two songs so far it sounds like an album I will love every second of. I'm surprised as has been said above that they've not yet leapt on the CD single bandwagon - hell even The Wanted got there before them on that one. That said it's only just starting to get playlisted so that could yet be up their sleeve. But that said, I feel like what good will and momentum was around when they first announced this tour over 18 months ago literally fell away as the pandemic raged on.
October 12, 20213 yr But that said, I feel like what good will and momentum was around when they first announced this tour over 18 months ago literally fell away as the pandemic raged on. The thing is though - what is a "successful record" for JLS these days? They're group who went out on a whimper and it doesn't feel like they've been gone long enough for nostalgia to properly kick in. Still, if they strategise and release in the right week they might get a high-peaking album with so-so overall sales. They could probably continue touring and let that fund their music if they play the cards right, a la how All Saints have done. However a December release and the comment above that they're expecting a number one album makes me think that their expectations for it are waaaaay off.
October 12, 20213 yr The thing is though - what is a "successful record" for JLS these days? They're group who went out on a whimper and it doesn't feel like they've been gone long enough for nostalgia to properly kick in. Still, if they strategise and release in the right week they might get a high-peaking album with so-so overall sales. They could probably continue touring and let that fund their music if they play the cards right, a la how All Saints have done. However a December release and the comment above that they're expecting a number one album makes me think that their expectations for it are waaaaay off. Exactly this 👆 All Saints are in fact a perfect model for such a setup for an older act with a more established niche fanbase, where they can release new music and continue to trade on the groundswell of support and praise they continue to receive for their earlier imperial phase material, whether that's their own tours or supporting Take That or Westlife as they have done. JLS probably don't realise this yet - and if Marvin's comments above about aiming for number one are true then, whilst admirable, are unrealistic and so I suspect they don't - but unfortunately because of how youth centric mainstream media like radio and Spotify etc remains these days you have to approach and work with what outlets are available to you in the right way. They've got some things right so far; great first single and instant grat track, Radio 2 playlist, a few TV performances and interviews - but that's it. Just some things. Steps on the other hand are again a perfect example of how to maximise what audience and goodwill you have with new material whilst maintaining the audience that grew up with you.
October 12, 20213 yr Author and Busted's 'Night Driver' having a November release with a #13 peak as well (though of course their follow-up in March 2019 reached #2!)
October 23, 20213 yr They've started their tour. I've seen some clips. Interestingly they've added a key change to 'Proud'. I recall a review of the song (when it was first released) suggesting that it lacked one.
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