Netflix’s “Building the Band” is a hodgepodge of reality formats that somehow meld together into a thoroughly entertaining competition show. It’s as if their smash hit “Love is Blind” had a beautiful baby with “The Voice” and “X Factor.” Singers audition for each other sight unseen and have to decide to form into groups without ever getting to see their bandmates.
We do have to note, for the most part, all of the contestants fit into a certain set of visual and age parameters. While the show knows that talent can come in any form, it does seem to have a self awareness that in this age of visual omnipresence that looks do play somewhat of a factor. However it’s the fact that all of the participants CAN sing that makes the competition stand out from other contemporaries.
While heyday of assembled bands has passed (Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean hosts the show), and we’re just eeking out of the era of “put together on a reality show” it’s a bold choice of the contestants of “Building the Band” to sign up to tie their creative fortunes to others. In an age when anyone could gain at least brief fame and success on TikTok as an artist, the path of grouping up with others based on limited inputs seems like a chaotic gamble.
We had the opportunity to speak to some of the top placing groups: the boyband Soulidified, the girl group 3Quency, and the only mixed group to make it out of the initial rounds – SZN4. While time has clearly passed since their initial forming it’s clear that these assemblages have real life chemistry. While the judges on the show are perpetually commenting that they wouldn’t have necessarily initially paired the formations together, yet it’s apparent how quickly they’ve galvanized as groups.
Though the show features some external drama, the majority of it is truly focused on honing the talents of the participants. In addition to McLean, Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger serves as mentor and judge. Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland and the late One Direction member Liam Payne serve as guest judges. One of the things we appreciate most about their feedback is that it’s kind but also incredibly constructive. They aren’t there to tear anyone down, but as the title states – to build them up.
“Building the Band” is out streaming now on Netflix with the final episodes premiering July 23.
