Back new talent

Andy Burnham speaks out for the emerging bands who need our help

BBC 6 MUSIC NEWS 06 October 2008

 

The Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has called for the media to take more responsibility in nurturing talent and not just plugging the obvious big names.

 

Speaking to the BBC at Manchester's music industry event, In The City on Sunday 5 October, Burnham says there’s nothing out there that does what Top of the Pops used to do.

 

“We should bring back programming that puts before the public a mix of stuff that is new and that mum’s can talk with kids about, that’s what Top Of The Pops did back in those days.

 

“I don’t think it’s there in quite the same way, X Factor is great, but it’s not quite the same as taking the talent that’s screaming to be heard at a lower level and putting it on a stage.”

 

Using The Smiths and their rise to becoming a national name as an example, Burnham said: “I just worry a little that the relationship between prime time TV and radio and the music industry has at times become a little bit cosy. It’s relying on safe formats and not sufficiently putting out those new names that then all of a sudden can go from the margins into national prominence. That’s what was good in the past.”

 

'Respect those who created it'

 

When asked his view on free downloads and artists giving their music away for free – as Radiohead, Coldplay and a list of bands have done in the past year - Andy was not enthused.

 

“That might hinder those who are making the argument that we have to have a system of rewarding people who are creative but without soaking the public and hitting them for huge amounts of money. People shouldn’t just take creative output for free, they should respect those who created it and put money back in the system.”

 

Burnham claims that if people give away too much for free, its knock on effect means repercussions further down in the music industry chain.

 

“At times it’s good for the consumer for people to put things out in a creative way, a limited download opportunity, or pay what you can afford – all of that is interesting and it takes the debate even further,” Burnham said, but stressed, “We do have to think about the new talent, the emerging talent the whole time and think about their interests and help them.”

 

Do you agree on the Culture Secretary's views regarding having a Prime time TV music show & his views on downloads with regards to supporting emerging talent?

We should have a petition! Bring back Top of the Pops and CD:UK! (and Top of the Pops Reloaded)

I think it should come back, but it needs a MAJOR re-vamp. TOTP never interested me since about 2002. Not sure why, it just didn't. It just needs a re-invention, a bit of funding behind it, good presenters and make sure there's no miming. Maybe even pick up on a similar formula to Transmission that's on C4 (Steve Jones would be be a great host too imo), and then have a decent time spot like 7.30 on a day that's not connected to the weekend. Will never happen of course.

it would be great to see TOTP and CD:UK etc. back.

 

saturday morning telly used to be great.

Before it returns it will need a (July 2006 to date) catchup show.

I completely agree with everything he has said! Everything is WAY too 'safe' and so a lot of bands get their big break only if they sound similar to some old band (all the 'Indie' bands being a poor Arctics/Blur/Oasis) or are pushed to sound like the latest craze (the 60's sounding Winehouse-alikes) and that's the only way TV and Radio will seem to pick up on them which I feel is wrong. :( I mean not everyone will listen to specialist shows for their kind of music like a lot of us do.

 

But of course the best thing that was said was suggesting to bring back Top Of The Pops which is what I've been saying ever since it came off our screens! Think about it! Look at the impact of music sales when songs are included in TV shows now so if we had TOTP back then I'm sure it'll end up having the effect it had back in the 80's when sales of a song went through the roof if it was on TOTP. I say bring it back, put it on Thursdays at 7:30 like it used to be and get Simon and Maquita (sp?) to present it! And most importantly make it a varied show that has various songs from the chart with no stupid interviews etc. -_-

 

And yes CD:UK would be great if it was back as well as we need something for the kids as well especially as kids these days like bands like Kaiser Chiefs instead of all the c**p I liked when I was a kid. :lol: At least that way it will literally be supporting emerging TALENT. :D

I agree, i think there is a space for a flag-ship music show like TOTP.

Obviously it would need a re-vamp but at the same time it still has to be the show

everyone remembers.

 

Yes it should still be a chart show, but it needs to include records beyond the Top 40

and feature some new releases.

 

Oh and put it back on Thursdays at 7.00, or 7.30 (bring EE forward half an hour).

 

To go and more or less nick someone elses idea/view from a forum to a monthly Music magazine that I regularly frequent:

 

There should be a new mainstream pop show on a Saturday early evening, on the slot before X Factor (if ITV) or SCD/Dr Who (if BBC), with it being loosely chart orientated based on what Thursday's midweeks positions are (like the old CD:UK then), hence giving the show a relevance whilst not totally undermining the actual chart countdown on Sunday evening (if you can put up with Reg & Fearne waffling).

 

I don't think having it on during the week would be a good idea as it would clash against a soap and lose out, and putting it on a Sunday would see it interfering with the flagship industry Sunday chart show countdown.

 

But make it a mixture of chart acts with a preference being given to live performing acts; but not at the expense of great visual spectacles (ie. a brilliant Britney Spears spectacular, a great visual Dance act performance, a well choreographed PCD's; etc), with the potential that they become "must talk about events" on a Monday in the classroom/office; the an exclusive video/album track performance each week; etc so that it regains the family audience, that Andy Peters finally destroyed when he took over TOTP and ran it into the ground by effectively turning it into a teens only show.

(if you can put up with Reg & Fearne waffling).

I like their waffling! :P

 

The first TOTP i remember watching was the last ever TOTP when Shakira returned to the top :lol: . It was also the week when my interest in music skyrocketed and has become part of my life ever since.

 

I think if there is a Saturday afternoon one then there should be a later night one for slightly... different music and Saturday one for more generic stuff: i doubt it will be successful if there is really obscure stuff on a family show. Then again i'm no TOTP expert.

Edited October 6, 200816 yr by Harve

To go and more or less nick someone elses idea/view from a forum to a monthly Music magazine that I regularly frequent:

 

There should be a new mainstream pop show on a Saturday early evening, on the slot before X Factor (if ITV) or SCD/Dr Who (if BBC), with it being loosely chart orientated based on what Thursday's midweeks positions are (like the old CD:UK then), hence giving the show a relevance whilst not totally undermining the actual chart countdown on Sunday evening (if you can put up with Reg & Fearne waffling).

 

I don't think having it on during the week would be a good idea as it would clash against a soap and lose out, and putting it on a Sunday would see it interfering with the flagship industry Sunday chart show countdown.

 

But make it a mixture of chart acts with a preference being given to live performing acts; but not at the expense of great visual spectacles (ie. a brilliant Britney Spears spectacular, a great visual Dance act performance, a well choreographed PCD's; etc), with the potential that they become "must talk about events" on a Monday in the classroom/office; the an exclusive video/album track performance each week; etc so that it regains the family audience, that Andy Peters finally destroyed when he took over TOTP and ran it into the ground by effectively turning it into a teens only show.

 

Yes, Saturday evenings could work. The timeslot does need to be right.

 

CD:UK was hench. It had that more 'teenage' appeal. Short interviews, live performances, wider range of genre etc. TOTP was just lame. :/

 

Instead of digging up old formats (CD:UK/TOTP) and revamping them, why not just a whole new Music Show? Like TSP said, somewhere on ITV for about an hour before or after the X-Factor is over. With live performances and interviews, a good host (not fukking Fearne Cotton), just something cool. Like T4. That's cool.

What about Tuesday or Thursday for TOTP at 8pm. That way it won't interfere with any major soap. And still early enough for people to watch it. At least it seems we're one step closer to having TOTP back. But there are many more steps to take

To go and more or less nick someone elses idea/view from a forum to a monthly Music magazine that I regularly frequent:

 

There should be a new mainstream pop show on a Saturday early evening, on the slot before X Factor (if ITV) or SCD/Dr Who (if BBC), with it being loosely chart orientated based on what Thursday's midweeks positions are (like the old CD:UK then), hence giving the show a relevance whilst not totally undermining the actual chart countdown on Sunday evening (if you can put up with Reg & Fearne waffling).

 

I don't think having it on during the week would be a good idea as it would clash against a soap and lose out, and putting it on a Sunday would see it interfering with the flagship industry Sunday chart show countdown.

 

But make it a mixture of chart acts with a preference being given to live performing acts; but not at the expense of great visual spectacles (ie. a brilliant Britney Spears spectacular, a great visual Dance act performance, a well choreographed PCD's; etc), with the potential that they become "must talk about events" on a Monday in the classroom/office; the an exclusive video/album track performance each week; etc so that it regains the family audience, that Andy Peters finally destroyed when he took over TOTP and ran it into the ground by effectively turning it into a teens only show.

But I think there seems to be a proper chart show though imo, something that will make who's #1 etc. as important as it used to be again!

f1mad : nice pic of the sugababes :)

AND another thing, the Day/Time Slot/Channel is a vital thing. BBC, 5:30 on a Sunday just would not work. ITV, 7/7:30 on a Saturday would work. It would work better on ITV because (not being offensive to anyone who is a BBC1 watcher), but BBC1 viewers aren't the type of people who will log onto iTunes and download some tracks. ITV viewers however have that more younger audience field who are the music public.

 

Also, I'd love to see a show that would play good music (not just commercial), and not a channel/programme that bums certain types of acts. T4/Transmission/4Music - The Saturdays. Give it up, they're not very good and are never going to be a success. <_<

What about Tuesday or Thursday for TOTP at 8pm. That way it won't interfere with any major soap. And still early enough for people to watch it. At least it seems we're one step closer to having TOTP back. But there are many more steps to take

Why TOTP though? Did they ever have good music? Was it always a wide range? Did the majority of acts ever perform live? Will TOTP influence the charts like Radio1 does?

 

:P

Why TOTP though? Did they ever have good music? Was it always a wide range? Did the majority of acts ever perform live? Will TOTP influence the charts like Radio1 does?

 

:P

 

Comsidering thats what the article was referring to..... And Yes, Yes to a degree, No then yes then no, who knows in this digital age (who would have thought 2 years ago that that X Factor and Strictly would have the power to bring old songs back in the charts?)

We should have a petition! Bring back Top of the Pops and CD:UK! (and Top of the Pops Reloaded)

 

Woohoo I agree! Loved them! I was one of them that watched TOTP and Cd:UK before they went off air. And i was truly gutted when they'd finished.

 

This would be great if they brought TOTP back because i would just like to see them get a boost most of them now because i think in a way this is 1 thing that has made artists flop all the time and if they would perform on TOTP each week i reckon they would do alot better or on CD:UK as both were great

I actually prefered Top of the Pops Reloaded to TOTP, but just because it felt like Live and Kicking without the other programmes (eg Rugrats,) in it. I actually miss L&K as well, though TMI is good and has the elements of L&K - just wish it was on longer. Its only on for an hour and a half. L&K was on for 3 hours!