The televisual juggernaut that is Simon Cowell’s X Factor is a phenomenon that always manages to divide opinion. Love it or loathe it, the show dominates the popular consciousness and is almost inescapable to anyone who reads a paper or turns on a TV screen during the shows run. However, the latest controversy may be the show’s biggest yet.
The early stages of the competition are often the most entertaining due to the stark contrast between the more talented performers and the tone deaf wannabes that slip through to the televised rounds. In spite of this the X Factor post production team has decided to add a hefty dose of auto tune – software that masks vocal mistakes – to proceedings; thus giving performances a homogenous robotic twang.
It’s a move that’s seen both fans and critics of the show up in arms. However, adding a manipulated voice to a track is not always a bad move… In honour of the latest X Factor hoo-hah we’re compiling some of the best moments in vocoder history.
It was a pretty much certainty that the Glastonbury line up for this year was going to be a big one – what with it being the festival’s 40th anniversary – so it’s no surprise to see that this year’s event roster is one of the most action packed in years.
Joining the well publicised headliners of Stevie Wonder (above), Muse and U2 will be acts from every conceivable niche of the musical spectrum. From the cultured country of Willie Nelson to the funky gangsta rap of Snoop Dogg, the line up covers all bases. Big selling names such as LCD Soundystem, Vampire Weekend, The Flaming Lips, Slash, Pet Shop Boys and Scissor Sisters initially seem the most attention grabbing on the bill. These are complimented by a vast array of new bands, highlights of which include The Drums, Egyptian Hip Hop and Chapel Club. This is then bolstered by a whole host of heritage acts – George Clinton, Ray Davies and Gang Of Four – as well as the customary Glastonbury novelty acts such as west-country cider enthusiasts, The Wurzels (below).
Tickets for the event have sold out but the festival will be transmitted across the BBC’s TV, radio and digital services.
Glastonbury takes place at Worthy Farm, Pilton UK Wednesday 23rd – Sunday 27th June.
Yesterday saw the eagerly awaited announcement that Muse and Stevie Wonder are set to headline this year’s Glastonbury alongside U2. Speaking at the Olympia 2 venue in London, festival organiser Michael Eavis stated that it was probable that Matt Bellamy’s Muse would headline the Saturday while Stevie Wonder would take the coveted festival closing spot on Sunday evening. Other performers already reportedly playing this year’s event include Hot Chip, Dizzee Rascal, Jack Johnson and Vampire Weekend.
This year’s Glastonbury will be the landmark 40th anniversary of the festival and as such rumours have been wilder than usual surrounding who will headline. Dave Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were all mentioned, but with this latest announcement the appearance of such megastar headliners now seems unlikely.
Those wishing to purchase tickets to this year’s festival should click here and join the race to secure some of the very limited return tickets when they go on sale.
Appropriate for Martin Luther King Day, Stevie Wonder’s ode to the civil rights leader has remained a constant at birthday celebrations across the world since its release in 1980. The song was originally used to help popularize the campaign to make Dr King’s birthday an official public holiday – something that was made official by President Regan three years later in 1983. More recently, Wonder performed the song at 2007’s The Dream Concert at New York’s Radio City Hall which which helped raise funds to build the DC Memorial in honour of Martin Luther King and featured performances from Stevie, Aretha Franklin and Garth Brooks.
