There was actually a period of a few years in the early 90s when it was a TOTP policy that the acts MUST sing live. I loved this, as it really led to some surprisingly great performances from acts who would have otherwise mimed, had it been the decision of the record label, manager, band etc. There were some bad performances but I remember making it more thrilling to watch, at a time when TOTP was the show that the teens (like me) looked forward to each week. No internet, not everyone had MTV and the performances were great to watch.
Unfortunately (for some) the BBC went back on this policy, as it became apparently impossible to maintain due to acts being unwell, having grueling tour schedules and flying in on long haul flights etc. and there were some disasters.
It's always been acceptable, playing live has been the exception until people made a big deal about in the eighties when everything went politically correct and alternative. Every band wanted to show they had talent and could play when manufactured pop ruled the airwaves I think.
Maybe it was The Tube that has something to do with it, that's my first recollection of a TV show with live music. Saturday Night Live, the UK version was another.
Sometimes artists that are known to mime to pre-recorded "live" tracks are perfectly capable of singing a track live, but don't think the performance would be as good, so don't.
ANY artist or group who mime rather than sing live during a concert are a disgrace and embarrassment. Sadly, in this dreadful X-Factor led, media trend driven country we live in these days, those sort of "disgraceful" talentless acts are the ones who make it to the big time and make lots of money, whilst those who actually HAVE some talent and write and play their own stuff live, tend to rarely get heard because they are not trendy or media friendly and not played on rubbish like Radio 1 or by wasters like Cowell!!
ANY artist or group who mime rather than sing live during a concert are a disgrace and embarrassment. Sadly, in this dreadful X-Factor led, media trend driven country we live in these days, those sort of "disgraceful" talentless acts are the ones who make it to the big time and make lots of money, whilst those who actually HAVE some talent and write and play their own stuff live, tend to rarely get heard because they are not trendy or media friendly and not played on rubbish like Radio 1 or by wasters like Cowell!!
To be fair if you have won through on the X Factor you probably will be able to sing. Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS, Olly Murs and the amazing Little Mix are all good or great singers and rarely mime. If anything, it is shows like X Factor that have elevated the need to sing above the need to be creative in pop music. Only Little Mix consistently attempt to write their own works, for example.
Milli Vanilli was a big thing I recall, actually felt bad for them seeing the video when the tape skipped and repeated while they were performing.
Even though they didn't sing on the records they do actually make the songs, saw the guy who actually sung and, well, sometimes fantasy is better than reality.
ANY artist or group who mime rather than sing live during a concert are a disgrace and embarrassment. Sadly, in this dreadful X-Factor led, media trend driven country we live in these days, those sort of "disgraceful" talentless acts are the ones who make it to the big time and make lots of money, whilst those who actually HAVE some talent and write and play their own stuff live, tend to rarely get heard because they are not trendy or media friendly and not played on rubbish like Radio 1 or by wasters like Cowell!!
To be fair if you have won through on the X Factor you probably will be able to sing. Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS, Olly Murs and the amazing Little Mix are all good or great singers and rarely mime. If anything, it is shows like X Factor that have elevated the need to sing above the need to be creative in pop music. Only Little Mix consistently attempt to write their own works, for example.
As mgvsmith said all contestants on The X Factor have to sing live through each of the rounds so I'm not sure why that programme has been brought up in this thread. I think the only time the contestants ever mime on the programme is when they do the group song during the live results show. Miming on shows happened long before The X Factor ever came along.
Some of the long established well known acts who perform on the live results show have been accused of miming in the past though.
ANY artist or group who mime rather than sing live during a concert are a disgrace and embarrassment. Sadly, in this dreadful X-Factor led, media trend driven country we live in these days, those sort of "disgraceful" talentless acts are the ones who make it to the big time and make lots of money, whilst those who actually HAVE some talent and write and play their own stuff live, tend to rarely get heard because they are not trendy or media friendly and not played on rubbish like Radio 1 or by wasters like Cowell!!
Have you ever watched The X Factor? You have to be able to sing live. The pre-show auditions have you singing a capella in front of music executives, then the main show throws contestants on arena stages.
Whilst most the contestants might not be able to write or record their own music, they can definitely sing it. Even the novelty acts from the last few years.
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Fabulous stuff.
There was actually a period of a few years in the early 90s when it was a TOTP policy that the acts MUST sing live. I loved this, as it really led to some surprisingly great performances from acts who would have otherwise mimed, had it been the decision of the record label, manager, band etc. There were some bad performances but I remember making it more thrilling to watch, at a time when TOTP was the show that the teens (like me) looked forward to each week. No internet, not everyone had MTV and the performances were great to watch.
Unfortunately (for some) the BBC went back on this policy, as it became apparently impossible to maintain due to acts being unwell, having grueling tour schedules and flying in on long haul flights etc. and there were some disasters.
Maybe it was The Tube that has something to do with it, that's my first recollection of a TV show with live music. Saturday Night Live, the UK version was another.
For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awCIIsxFoJo
Halfway through the performance she was told the lip-sync track isn't working and so she needs to sing it live, and she does it pretty well.
To be fair if you have won through on the X Factor you probably will be able to sing. Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS, Olly Murs and the amazing Little Mix are all good or great singers and rarely mime. If anything, it is shows like X Factor that have elevated the need to sing above the need to be creative in pop music. Only Little Mix consistently attempt to write their own works, for example.
Even though they didn't sing on the records they do actually make the songs, saw the guy who actually sung and, well, sometimes fantasy is better than reality.
As mgvsmith said all contestants on The X Factor have to sing live through each of the rounds so I'm not sure why that programme has been brought up in this thread. I think the only time the contestants ever mime on the programme is when they do the group song during the live results show. Miming on shows happened long before The X Factor ever came along.
Some of the long established well known acts who perform on the live results show have been accused of miming in the past though.
Have you ever watched The X Factor? You have to be able to sing live. The pre-show auditions have you singing a capella in front of music executives, then the main show throws contestants on arena stages.
Whilst most the contestants might not be able to write or record their own music, they can definitely sing it. Even the novelty acts from the last few years.