Fascinating; it basically says the committee is only influenced by hype (as usual) and doesn't actually take into consideration the only essential question - is it any good?

www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/25/ra...red-battle-of-brands

Great article. Simply put, the people choosing it aren't excited by it and it's reflected in the music, bland and derivative. Looking at stats and trying to work out formulas.... How more soulless could the process be?

Noel Gallagher's comment is spot on. I saw another interview with Noel where he pointed out the flaw in programmes like X-Factor, "But as I understand it the consumer didn't want Jimi Hendrix, but they got him - and it changed the world ... Fuck the customer. He doesn't know what he wants. You fucking give it to him and he likes it."

It';s been the bane of my life throughout my time in music - even in the 60s. "Find someone like The Beatles... find someone like The Spice Girls..." whereas I've tried to find someone GOOD and preferably UNLIKE anyone else around.

The drones (95%) all think like this.

Also, Facebook likes, Youtube views, Twitter followers etc. can all be bought and manipulated, with as little as £500 you can make your "brand" appear popular. Surely the panel are aware of this?