Culture Secretary: 'New Bands Need Another Top Of The Pops'

New bands in the United Kingdom need another TV show like Top of the Pops in order to achieve wider attention, the culture secretary has warned.

Andy Burnham said since the prime time programme had been dropped from the BBC's schedule there was nothing providing a “great mix of new music before the public.”

His comments came at In The City in Manchester - a music industry conference designed to promote new music.

The decision to drop Top of the Pops in 2006 was widely criticised. For 42 years the programme had helped pioneer new and established bands on TV.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Burnham said it was time for broadcasters to “promote and champion new music in this country, rather than having just very safe options on prime-time TV".

He said TV was “relying on safe formats” instead of driving the search for new talent.

"That was what was great about the past - The Smiths did become a national name, even though I can remember my dad moaning about them on Top of the Pops,” he added.

You can read Gigwise's news from this week's In The City HERE.

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