Reality shows boom, live performance suffers

Music reality shows are proliferating on television, at the expense of live performances to ticket-buying audiences, concert organisers say.

Melody of Pride features old songs

When music reality shows first appeared on Vietnam television, they were mostly singing contests aimed at young audiences, but now all kinds of music shows have been created that cross demographic divides.

Children can compete in “Do-Re-Mi” or “The Voice for Kids”, while older people who love songs from 1964-80 now have “Giai Dieu Tu Hao” (Melody of Pride).

Audiences can hear their favourite songs on “Dau An”, each episode of which is devoted to a popular artist who has contributed to the local music industry.

These programmes help to bring singers closer to audiences and also successfully promote new talent. Singer Hien Thuc said that since she became a mother, she did not think she would have her own live show anymore, but “Dau An” has let her continue to work.

While the small screens boom with reality shows, live shows’ organisers are facing growing difficulties.

Truong Thi Thu Dung, the director of the Rang Dong Music CD Centre, said, “People are tightening their purses so tickets to a music show are no longer attractive. Many theaters are having trouble selling tickets to live shows.”

Organisers of a music show to welcome the New Year at Lan Anh Music Centre had to cancel three of five nights because of unsold tickets despite extensive advertising and a star line-up.

Song-writer Le Quang said, “Nowadays, audiences aren’t in the habit of going to theaters anymore because of diversified programmes on TV. No matter what the organisers do, the theaters still have a lot of empty seats. Without audiences, the crew’s money and efforts will go down the drain. Only few people are interested in organising live shows now.”

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