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Building The Band is a Netflix competition in which singers form groups before seeing one another. One detailed review of the series offered a mixed verdict: Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian found the first episodes drawn-out and repetitive, but also called the show watchable and well-crafted. That is a measured criticism, not evidence that critics broadly panned the series.
What makes Building The Band different?
Rather than pairing singers after judges see them perform, Building The Band starts with contestants in separate sound booths. They hear one another sing and make early choices based on voice and perceived musical compatibility, without appearance initially shaping the decision. Netflix describes the premise as forming a group sight unseen; the format later brings the singers together to rehearse and perform.
The setup shifts the first stage of group formation from a panel of experts to the contestants themselves. Executive producer Cat Lawson told Netflix Tudum, “The bands aren’t manufactured. These singers put them together, and are in complete control.” The blind beginning is a feature of the early process, not the entire series: once groups form, the competition includes in-person rehearsals and performances.
How did the contestants form bands?
Netflix Tudum says 150 singers auditioned in person, and 50 contestants were selected for the show. In the initial phase, they performed from isolated booths and could use a “Like” button to signal interest in another singer. Each contestant had 10 likes. To move on to voice conversations, a singer needed at least five likes; the show arranged chats around mutual rankings.
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The initial process moved quickly: Tudum says the phase from the first performances to band formation took about six days, while filming the series took six weeks. Six bands were planned, each with three to five members. Contestants chose their collaborators and could form a girl group, boy band, or mixed group. Tudum reports that the singers could choose from around 400 songs cleared for the show.
After the bands assembled, they rehearsed and performed for mentors, judges, and audiences. The Associated Press reported that 22 contestants remained across the six bands.
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What did The Guardian criticize—and what did it praise?
In a July 9, 2025 review, Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian said the first four episodes could feel “a little drawn-out and repetitive.” She also described the series as “fine, watchable, well-crafted,” noting that its cliffhangers gave viewers reasons to continue. Her criticism was therefore about pacing and repetition in the early episodes, alongside an acknowledgment that the show was competently made and watchable.
Nicholson compared the format to a blend of Love Is Blind, The Circle, and The Voice. The comparison captures its mix of hidden identity, mediated interaction, and singing competition, but the group-building mechanism is distinct: contestants, rather than a judging panel alone, choose their prospective bandmates before meeting them face to face.
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The review is one critic’s assessment. It does not establish a wider critical consensus, and the available evidence does not support describing the series as universally slammed.
Why did Liam Payne’s appearance make the release sensitive?
Liam Payne appears in the series as a guest judge. The AP reported that he first appears in episode seven and that Building The Band became his last major appearance. The series opened with a dedication to Payne and his family, according to the AP.
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Nicholson’s review raised the question of whether releasing the singing competition after Payne’s death was ghoulish or a moving tribute, and noted backlash questioning whether it should be released. That debate concerns the timing and meaning of the series’ release; it is separate from her criticism of the early episodes’ pacing. Host A.J. McLean told the AP that viewers would get to see “the real, true him that the world gets to remember him for.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the winning band receive?
Netflix Tudum says the winning band receives $500,000, shared evenly among its members. Netflix’s FAQ also says winning does not require the group to sign with a label or management company chosen by the show.
Quick Recap
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Sources
- Netflix: Building The Band
- Netflix Tudum: Building the Band Explained
- Rebecca Nicholson, The Guardian, July 9, 2025: Building the Band review
- The Associated Press, July 22, 2025: Building the Band was Liam Payne’s last major appearance
- Netflix Media Center: Building The Band
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