Oh, I have to be very clear, I couldn't give a rats' arse if a less pop-geared act doesn't win. I've got some great discoveries out of Fontaines D.C and Kate Bush, there's been some strong Sam Fender picks etc. I like that people got to send Damien Rice and Bladee in the same competition as Vengaboys and Zara. The variety is a lot of fun and it allows a wide range of members to feel involved, I wouldn't change a single thing about how the process is run, put together or the artists allowed to be involved.

I just found some of the attitudes towards pop acts in the pop forum to be the exact kind of thing I'd come to Buzzjack, or more specifically, this sub forum to avoid. I had a debate in my workplace about a colleague calling The Promise by Girls Aloud a "guilty pleasure" just today, but that's a masculine workforce, not a music forum that often feels wonderfully escapist. Just a personal thing and there's a million great things about this competition too ❤️

4 minutes ago, Jade said:

I sent from Addison Rae, Blondie and ???

Is someone going through the A-Z of artists? Addison, Blondie, Catherine...

2 minutes ago, Scene said:

Is someone going through the A-Z of artists? Addison, Blondie, Catherine...

Darin taken away from my longlist for series 4 xx

Jade's time will finally come in Season 7 with Glee Cast

3 minutes ago, Jade said:

Darin taken away from my longlist for series 4 xx

Your back-up is free though.

Well done and commiserations Rich and Rob!

Sorry I mostly ranked Zara low but I’m still glad she got a good run and you absolutely did her proud Rob! I’ll always remember seeing her do “Can’t Tame Her” with Rich in Liverpool in 2023, and I like “Midnight Sun” a lot.

I’m not a huge fan of many of Texas’ bigger hits but this reminded me that they do have a lot of variety, and I do really enjoy some of their rockier and folkier sounds. You did a grand job Rich.

A shame to lose both of those acts!

I always look at the Reddit polls too, Rob, so I was equally gagged when ‘Love Me Land’ struggled so much. As you cheekily said, Zara is a popstar for our generation… which also means that I don’t think I had any more opportunities for discoveries from her.

On the other hand, Texas are an act I know a bit but have massively enjoyed getting to know better. I think every week they’ve landed in my top three of the groups and I don’t think Rich played a hand wrong the entire time. Definitely seems like an unjust elimination but it’s all good fun!

Edited Monday at 23:301 day by Josh!

Not Robyn saving Zara the first time and then being involved in her elimination too ooooops

Edited Monday at 23:351 day by pavi

42 minutes ago, Calum said:

Jade's time will finally come in Season 7 with Glee Cast

NOW HOLD ON…

Definitely some food for thought here - as one of those pesky alt invaders in here and also someone who partakes in more than my fair share of shitposting I should probably be more wary of my tone in here as I definitely don't want to come across like I'm sneering at the pop fans (idk to what extent I'm being called out here but given ElectroBoy's response to my post last week I'm guessing it's not none). Obviously my taste is my taste so the more alt acts have an advantage when it comes to my rankings but everyone is valid and I do try to highlight the positives where I can even from artists who are not so much my cup of tea. And to that end... it was great to hear 'Blue Moon' again in this which really solidified it as one of Zara's highlights for me! Looking back at the list of her other entries I'd be lying if I said there was much else that I am that into but I think that is in part because some of her biggest hits are also some of her best songs for me (just... not 'Symphony' or 'Ain't My Fault' oops) and ofc they didn't get played in case Zara did make a deeper run. 'Midnight Sun' is absolutely one of the best not only pop songs but hit songs in general of the last few years for me, and I also love 'Lush Life', 'Don't Worry Bout Me' and 'Stateside' (not her song but she made it her song) and even have a soft spot for 'On My Love' which was a little maligned on the forum iirc. Also have to mention 'Uncover' which I came across back in the day and very vaguely considered sending it to BJSC believe it or not... but obvious missed the opportunity and it went on to be a winner for Batidas instead x

(I will say though the overall results of this round are still pretty clearly skewed in the more pro-pop direction - unfortunate for Texas to be out from another judge decision that went against the ranking, but Fontaines D.C. were only barely spared from being directly out there and New Order scraped into the safe zone too while the top 5 is all very firmly in the pop camp, it can't be that 'Alt Factor' if Darin is consistently doing this well. I'm sure we'll see more of a reckoning for the invaders in the next round or two x)

I think this is something worth reflecting on, especially after seeing a few people mention how negative comments can affect the managers behind the act!!!

And I am not trying to open the can of worms because I'm over it now, but Calvin's participation is probably another good example of that. There was so much negativity surrounding his involvement from the very beginning, and while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I think sometimes we underestimate how our words and the tone we use can come across to the person on the receiving end!!!

And I'm certainly not saying I'm innocent of that either, because I probably made some comments about others song choices at times as well. We can get caught up in the moment, making comments without necessarily considering how discouraging they might be for someone who has put time and effort into their choice.

I think a little more awareness of how we communicate with each other wouldn't hurt anyone.

3 hours ago, Spiceboy said:

Also have to add now... who the heck is @Mangø???

Now that Texas have been eliminated, I keep asking myself the same question

Pop stands for popular these acts were popular for /in a certain time , i do not see the issue with their involvement.

Series 3 will be remembered for this! But in all seasons of this comp there have been non-traditional ‘pop’ acts.

Calum is creating this all for us i hope all the comments / feedback isn’t pissing him off.

I really like the diversity of this contest - this years contest seems to be broader than the previous ones. It is exciting that no one is really safe here. One bad choice and you are out. I have no problems if someone questions my choices, but agree that I also made some harsh comments in the previous rounds, particularly sorry to Sam Fender's mentor. You all make a great job!

Fingers crossed I’ve got a few rounds left in me yet.

Regardless of what happens this has been my best finish, so thank you everyone!

Pop Factor 1 - Did not enter

Pop Factor 2 - 15th - TheCorrs - Eliminated as the lowest scorer in Live Show 1.

Pop Factor 3 - Still in contention - TBA

1 hour ago, DaTilt said:

I really like the diversity of this contest - this years contest seems to be broader than the previous ones. It is exciting that no one is really safe here. One bad choice and you are out. I have no problems if someone questions my choices, but agree that I also made some harsh comments in the previous rounds, particularly sorry to Sam Fender's mentor. You all make a great job!

I think even a good choice can go out, particularly by this late stage. On raw voting data alone, a Club Bizarre winner would have gone out.

I will forever stand by Mr Haze as a great track too (actually half decent Texas remixes were thin on the ground, particularly of songs I hadn't yet played so my hand was forced a bit), as I do with Delta's Last Night On Earth which sent me out last year.

11 minutes ago, gooddelta said:

I think even a good choice can go out, particularly by this late stage. On raw voting data alone, a Club Bizarre winner would have gone out.

I will forever stand by Mr Haze as a great track too (actually half decent Texas remixes were thin on the ground, particularly of songs I hadn't yet played so my hand was forced a bit), as I do with Delta's Last Night On Earth which sent me out last year.

I agree, it’s getting to the point where even a good choice can see you either out or in the bottom three. For as well as Marina and Sophie and even Adele have performed I feel it’s quite open really.

Today is bring your laptop to work day so Live Show Three should be up around lunch time since everybody confirmed quickly x

7 minutes ago, Calum said:

Today is bring your laptop to work day so Live Show Three should be up around lunch time since everybody confirmed quickly x

Or use your laptop (iPad) in your sleep day so you can stay up to date. 🤣

On 04/11/2026 at 22:39, RobBot said:

The theme only states remixes or club bangers, it doesn't state they have to be club remixes. So, if people go for the club banger route, it could literally just be like... Danceteria Afterhours if Madonna was taking part or the Stateside remix with Zara Larsson if PinkPantheress was taking part - so long as the production is "re mixed" from the original, it's surely fine. Which is why people have suggested Can't Get Blue Monday out of My Head, I guess!

This was while submissions for the last round were open - I very nearly replied to it then to say: "surely the original 'Danceteria' and 'Stateside' would have been fine for this theme too?", and I wish I had now. I just got anxious about perceived impartiality as a judge when it comes to people's selections.

However, I would say to the remaining mentors or for future series, that when there's a theme such as this, I would treat it as a template rather than a rigid structure. This is a pop forum competition after all - not every artist will have something tailor made for every theme, but if you can showcase a side to your artist that leans into that direction I think most people will respect that. In this case I'd say something like 'In Our Lifetime' for Texas or 'Eurosummer' for Zara as Rob has acknowledged would have been fine and in keeping with that. However I know some people's mileage may vary and it's down to the mentors on how they want to play the game. At the same time, the broader themes mean a definition like this also allows a place for something like the Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix of 'Confusion', and while I'm well aware it's not to everyone's taste, the fact this is taking place in a pop forum doesn't negate something like this being used when the mentor feels it's right.