With the release of a new Public Image Ltd. album seemingly now imminent, the band’s principal member John Lydon has taken aim at TV talent shows such as the X Factor for creating an environment in which innovative acts struggle to find attention, claiming the medium has ‘taken over’ the music industry.
Describing talent shows as ‘unimportant’, Lydon also told NME: “And it’s a shame that the music industry has been taken over and dominated by them. Particularly American Idol – you know, the way they love to awards themselves every year, those institutions.”
“It’s all artists from that ilk, isn’t it? If you want to call them artists. Unfortunately there’s some fantastic singers that come out of that, but they’re karaoke.”
In turning his attention to record companies, Lydon stated his belief that PiL’s time without a deal is down to his refusal to conform to the mainstream boundaries of programmes such as X Factor.
“If you ever want to know why I’m not on a record label, look at The X Factor,” he continued. “Honestly, of all the people that strive to break barriers in music and do good things and write great lyrics, not one of them would ever pass the first round on any of these competitions.
‘This Is Pil‘, the band’s ninth studio album, is expected to be released in the first half of 2012.
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