June 5, 2007 10:04

Jarvis Cocker attacks TV talent shows

The Pulp man takes on Simon Cowell's empire

Photo Gallery: Jarvis Cocker
Photo: Dean Chalkley

Former Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker has criticised TV talent shows like ’Pop Idol’ and ’X Factor’.

Cocker said the singers never have good voices and lack personality.

He said: “It saddens me because I love pop music and these shows prove that it’s become an industrialised process.

“They never pick people with great voices. They pick people who show off how many notes they can fit into a 10-second period.

"A great voice expresses something and gives you some idea of the personality behind the voice. There’s zero personality in the voices of any of the people who sing on these shows.”

Cocker admitted that he would “be straight out” if he ever appeared on a TV talent show.

He told Radio Times: “The kind of pop I was brought up on is over. The pop charts used to be where everything happened. Now the most interesting stuff is happening outside in the independent music sector.”

Cocker is set to play at The Royal Festival Hall on June 23 as part of the Meltdown festival, which he is curating.

To check for ticket availability and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/gigs now.