The theme of this week's show is reality television, and our playlist consisted solely of artists who launched their careers through reality television programs.
We've started a new poll asking whether or not you think Australian Idol has run past its used by date. The show is now in its seventh season, with television ratings and winner's record sales declining with each passing year. Do you still enjoy the show, or is it a tired format? Make sure to cast your vote!
A whole heap of podcasts are now up including episode 4 with Dan Vo and epidode 5 with Steve Toms! You can find the download links to the right of your screen, or stream them here.
Without the beat I'm nothing
Without a song in my heart
- Petro xox
1. True Bliss – Freedom
Dream, 1999
2. Ricki-Lee – Can't Sing A Different Song
Brand New Day, 2007
3. Bardot – Don't Call Me, I'll Call You
Play It Like That, 2001
4. Girls Aloud – Sound Of The Underground
Sound Of The Underground, 2003
5. Damian Leith – All I Want Is You
Where We Land, 2007
6. Jessica Mauboy – Up/Down
Been Waiting, 2008
7. Jordin Sparks – SOS (Let The Music Play)
Battlefield, 2009
8. Will Young – Leave Right Now
Friday's Child, 2003
9. Guy Sebastian - Closer To The Sun
Closer To The Sun, 2006
10. No Angels – Daylight In Your Eyes
Elle'ments, 2001
11. Kelly Clarkson - Yeah
My December, 2007
12. Rob Mills – Overrated
Up All Night, 2004
11. Carrie Underwood - Wasted
Some Hearts, 2005
12. Shannon Noll - Angels Bought Me Here
That's What I'm Talking About (limited edition), 2004
13. Leona Lewis - Run
Spirit: The Deluxe Edition, 2008
Over the past decade, reality television has had a huge impact on the music industry. This got us thinking...Is reality television the way to go for those wishing to launch a music career? To what degree have contestants from shows such Popstarts, Idol and X Factor been able to sustain long and credible music careers? Here's a quick history...
It all began in New Zealand in 1999 when the first ever Popstars series formed short-lived girl group True Bliss. Australia was next-up with Bardot, and the rest of the world followed as the format was sold to over 50 countries. The 2002 UK version produced the most successful act to come from the entire Popstars franchise, Girls Aloud, who managed to achieve 15 consecutive Top 10 hits and five studio albums.
The Idol franchise began in the UK in 2002 with gay singer Will Young taking the crown. It came to Australian shores in 2003 and six seasons later, original winner Guy Sebastian and original runner-up Shannon Noll remain the highest selling contestants and continue to create music. Other winners such as Casey Donovan, Kate Kate DeAraugo and Natalie Gauci have disappeared into oblivion. Original US winner Kelly Clarkson, without a doubt, remains the most successful Idol contestant with record sales past 20 million.
The UK's X Factor, whose biggest export Leona Lewis has become a worldwide phenomenon, attracts 10 million viewers and is a sure-fire win for the traditional Christmas #1. It is about to commence its sixth series, and is now a prime spot for other artists to perform when promoting a song.
Britain's Got Talent bought Susan Boyle to overnight international stardom, and the Australian version has produced young opera singer, 2009 winner Mark Vincent, whose debut album peaked at number two on the Australian Album Charts in the past couple of months.
Singles
Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars
Kelly Clarkson – Already Gone
The Fray – Never Say Never
Gossip – Heavy Cross
The Script – Before The Worst
Shakira – She Wolf
J-Wess – Anything For You
Albums
Arctic Monkeys – Humbug
Andy Bull – We’re Too Young
Andy Bull – We’re Too Young (Limited Edition)
Andy Cowan – When The Night Comes In
John Farnham – Essential 3.0
Jet – Shaka Rock
Kid Confucius – Let Go (Tour Edition)
Kisschasy – Seizures (CD/DVD)
Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting (Deluxe Edition)
The Next – Light Of Day EP
Sean Paul – Imperial Blaze
Tex Perkins – The Best Of
Matt Walters – Echo On EP
Wiley – Race Against Time
Compilations
OST – Hannah Montana 3
OST – Wizards Of Waverly Place
Various – Dad Rocks!
Various – Songs For Dad
> Vanessa Amorosi has confirmed on Twitter that her forth studio album will be released later this year. The first single “This Is Who I Am” is due in stores October 16th. The track was co-written by Vanessa and Sweden’s Macho Psycho, who has also produced the track. Macho co-wrote and co-produced Pink’s hits ‘Stupid Girls’ and ‘Bad Influence’. Vanessa filmed the music video for the single last week in Los Angeles.> Natalie Imbruglia’s comeback single "Want" goes to Australian radio this week, and she will be in the country to promote its release, making a visit to Rove this Sunday night. Her forth studio album Come To Life will be released on October 9.
> Leona Lewis has revealed the title of her second album – Echo. The record is due in stores worldwide November 17.
> Kate Ceberano is releasing a Christmas album in November. The album will feature a duet with Ronan Keating.
> Kate Miller-Heidke is set to release her first live album on September 18, recorded earlier this year at Melbourne’s HiFi Bar. The set will include popular live favourite “Are You Fucking Kidding Me (The Facebook Song)”.
> Music DVDs out in the coming weeks: The Veronicas’ release the “Revenge Is Sweeter” tour on September 1, Delta Goodrem releases “The Believe Again Tour” on September 18 and Tina Turner releases “Tina Live” on September 25, a live recording of her recent 'Tina Turner's 50th Anniversary' concert tour.
Wed 26th August
BRISBANE – Pink (Entertainment Centre)
HOBART – Snob Scrilla (Republic Bar)
MELBOURNE – Kate Ceberano (The Palms At Crown)
ROCKHAMPTON – Eskimo Joe (Pilbeam Theatre)
SYDNEY – Newton Faulkner (Oxford Art Factory)
WARRNAMBOOL – Dukes Of Windsor (The Loft)
Thurs 27th August
ADELAIDE – Lost Valentinos (Jive Bar)
BALLARAT – Augie March (Karova Lounge)
BRISBANE – Shannon Noll (Kedron Wavell Services Club)
FERNTREE GULLY – Dukes Of Windsor (Ferntree Gully Hotel)
LAUNCESTON – Snob Scrilla (Hotel New York)
MACKAY – Eskimo Joe (Mackay Entertainment Centre)
MELBOURNE – ARIA Hall Of Fame
MELBOURNE – Kate Ceberano (The Palms At Crown)
SYDNEY – Ophelia Of The Spirits (Vanguard)
SYDNEY – Gin Wigmore (Notes Live)
Fri 28th August
BALLARAT – Snob Scrilla (Karova Lounge)
CAIRNS – Eskimo Joe (Brothers Leagues Club)
GYMPIE – Shannon Noll (Gympie Muster)
MELBOURNE – Dukes Of Windsor (Corner Hotel)
MELBOURNE – Melody Gardot (National Theatre)
MELBOURNE – Angie Hart (Northcote Social Club)
PERTH – Lost Valentinos (Amplifier Bar)
SYDNEY – Pink (Acer Arena)
Sat 29th August
ADELAIDE – Snob Scrilla (Edinburgh Castle Hotel)
FRANKSTON – Dukes Of Windsor (Pelly Bar)
FREMANTLE – Lost Valentinos (Norfolk Hotel)
GOLD COAST – Shannon Noll (Twin Towns Services Club)
MELBOURNE – Augie March (Forum Theatre)
PERTH – Grafton Primary (Capitol Theatre)
SYDNEY – Ja Rule (Luna Park Big Top)
SYDNEY – Pink (Acer Arena)
TOWNSVILLE – Eskimo Joe (Townsville Entertainment Centre)
Sun 30th August
BRISBANE – Shannon Noll (Victoria Point Sharks Club)
Go on sale Friday 28th August
Jarvis Cocker (Melbourne)
Marilyn Manson (Sydney)
We put UK singer-songwriter Will Young, under the Queer Spotlight. He rose to fame in 2002 after winning the inaugural Pop Idol contest, making him the world's first winner of the now-worldwide Idol franchise.
He has since gone on to sustain a very successful career with four Top 2, multi-platinum albums, four number one singles and an impressive set of Top 5 hits. In November, he releases his first Best Of collection The Hits, closing this chapter of his music career, before moving into a dance direction. Will publicly came out as gay not long following winning the Pop Idol competition.
> iTunes reps 1 in every 4 songs sold in U.S.
iTunes-purchased songs now account for 25 percent of the overall music market -both physical and digital- in the U.S., says an NPD Group report released Tuesday. However, CDs are still the most popular format for music lovers, winning a 65 percent slice of the market for the first half of 2009.
> Politicians Demand Scrutiny of Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger
Lawmakers have come out in force against the Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger claiming that Live Nation Ticketmaster “would enjoy a virtual stranglehold over the live entertainment industry.”
