A phenomenon called The Voice

The Voice Australia coaches

It seems to be in every country, on everyone's lips. I believe it is here to stay – at least for a couple of seasons. If some of you have managed to avoid this spectacular show (in my opinion it truly is entertainment as its best) let me tell you some facts about The Voice. First stage in the programme is the blind auditions where all four coaches are sitting back towards the stage and make their decision, that is push the ”I want you” button, without seeing the performance. So it is all about The Voice, as a format's name might hint. I personally find this really intriguing since being an artist is so much more than just the voice: it's the presence on the stage, how you take the audience, what kind of show you are providing. Most of all, it is the whole package: what kind of experience you are creating for the audience. On the other hand, a true artist can transmit the message and the feeling of the song only by using their instrument, their voice. Entertainment business is a tough field and there are some people out there who have been waiting for a chance like this for their whole life. For them blind auditions are like a blessing – competitors are only judged by their voice and how they can touch their audience only by singing and not for example by the way they look.

There are some points-of-parity when it comes to The Voice. First of all, there have been dozens of music related reality shows, or have you forgotten the shows such as Idol, X-Factor ad Got Talent to name but a few. They have been on air for years and there seems to be no end for their popularity. Another point-of-parity is that competitors get eliminated along the way and the power of coaches diminishes the further the show goes, and in the end, it is the audience that will choose the winner.

What makes The Voice so popular then? Apart from those points-of-parity, The Voice's freshness seems to appeal to viewers. The Voice Australia, for example, draw in over 2 million viewers with the premiere episode. Pretty impressive, eh? I am not sure about the case in Australia, but at least in Finland most of the participants were actually professionals (unlike in other shows) invited for the show, who just haven't got their breakthrough yet. That can be seen as a point-of-difference. When listening to those performances which are better after another you just keep asking youself a simple question with one word: ”Why?” As I mentioned earlier, music industry is not only about living in the dreams and living happily ever after with loads of money after making a few big hits – it is actually really hard work with years and years of practising, creating contacts and having a gig after another. Furthermore, in order to succeed an artist also needs a bit of luck. Being in the right place at the right time and having a market gap for one's music.. For me it rather sounds like needing a miracle instead of just a bit of luck. I'm convinced that formats like The Voice are creating great opportunities but it has to be kept in mind that in the end of the day it is the artist itself who has to do the hard work.

One more thing I can think of that differentiates The Voice from other shows shown earlier, is that the coaches are not mean towards participants. Actually, there is no need for being cruel since all the competitors (or at least most of them) are professionals and even really talented ones will be eliminated before the actual programme starts. As a matter of fact, the coaches are actually nagging at each other (with good spirit, though) since they are also competing. It's the name of the game, hey! After all, they are trying to make the best entertainment ever. And I have to say that job very well done! It is kind of addictive or am I the only one who has ”The Voice fever”? Moreover, is there any cure for it? I know one which might help: watching the next episode tonight!

 This is just one the amazing performances