During the beginning stages of the electronic music boom two years ago, the money pot was starting to churn for the dance music scene. One musical powerhouse, Simon Cowell, tossed out the idea of having a DJ centered show, much like that of X Factor, put together for television audiences everywhere. Nobody grabbed it. The thing is, why would anyone want to watch a show about “DJing” if it’s something that takes time to do. Granted, there are different ways of DJing that go far beyond just mixing, but it’s just not something that is made for television, usually; take the lackluster Grammy performances by DJs as an example. It’s not that they’re bad DJs, it’s just that you need more than a tiny segment to show your chops for the most part.
Despite early setbacks and hesitations, the show will now be moving forward. This can be thanks to Robert Sillerman’s SFX and T-Mobile who have partnered with Cowell’s company, Syco, to produce the series.
Online user submissions will start everything off with fans able to vote on the projects that are uploaded, so production skills will play some role in the show. Next, the live elements come into play centered around SFX owned and operated venue designs where the sets will be executed. One can imagine how judging will take place, but the interesting thing will be seeing just how DJs tailor their performance for the, what I will assume to be, short segments.
I’m happy to see something come together that gives people the chance to get their name out there, but I’m not sold on this. The good thing is, from what it sounds like, they are putting this together in a way that will go beyond the pettiness that has led people to watch only the first round of American Idol; however, the fact that this is a show has me skeptical. Will it just be entertainment? Or will it actually foster talent and progress? Only time will tell.
Source: Wall Street Journal
