Friday, 14 May 2004
Idol aspirations in Vancouver - SPECTATOR - THE COMMENTARY
1500 singers audition for chance to replace Ryan Malcolm
By Daniel Chai, for The Commentary
To the casual passer by at the Plaza of Nations in Vancouver on the evening of Sunday, April 25, it could have been just another line-up of music fans waiting overnight to buy tickets to a rock concert.
Just one difference: the nearly 1000 people in line were waiting for a chance to become a music star in their own right.
The Canadian Idol phenomenon rolled into Vancouver on Monday, April 26, bringing along the hopes and dreams of thousands of budding singers across Canada. With the second season slated to start June 1st, the auditions for the reality-TV show have taken place in nine cities across Canada, with Vancouver being the last stop. With the first season of Canadian Idol becoming the most watched Canadian series in history, expectations are high for this year's edition, as well as for the new batch of singers.
One of those singers was 19-year-old Lindsey Bates of Maple Ridge. Bates, who was accompanied by his aunt, Patty Robinson, was first in line for Monday's 8:00 am audition, arriving at the Plaza of Nations at 2.00 pm Sunday afternoon.
"I have no job right now, so I have some time to kill," said Bates. "I heard about this, so I thought I may as well give it a shot.
"I love to sing, and I think I have a good chance."
Robinson added that she was proud of Bates, and that he was very talented.
At around 6.00 pm the throng of people behind Bates had swelled to number in the hundreds. Under the watch of Rick Paciorek, security coordinator for the Canadian Idol entourage and all 17 of the audition stops over the last two years, the crowd winded their way through a series of gated aisles, their ultimate overnight rest stop.
"[The security] is here to make sure the kids are safe," said Paciorek, "but really, there has been no trouble at all.
"The audition has had a great vibe. It gives young people a chance to perform and make new friends overnight. All these kids want to do is sing."
As the crowd moved forward, cries of "Marco… Polo…" reverberated throughout the outdoor venue of the Plaza of Nations. So too did the complaints of the tight confines of their gated waiting area. More than one person compared their situation to livestock.
After finally moving as far as they could, only as far as next to the person in front of them, those who were staying for the night bunkered down. Many people brought out newspapers, novels, and guitars to pass the time, and splayed out on blankets, chairs and pillows. Many had neglected to bring along dinner, and had friends or parents run out to McDonalds for food.
"I tried to order pizza from Panagopoulos, but they wouldn't deliver," said Vancouverite Christie Bartlett. "I am pretty hungry."
Many parents waited overnight with their children. Linda McCann, who looked on as her 16-year-old daughter Sarah and her friend Michelle sang together, told thecommentary.ca that she didn't want the two young teens alone overnight.
"I can't carry a tune," said McCann. "If [Sarah] can, then that's great. I support her dreams." Throughout the evening, TV cameras and journalists from Vancouver media outlets arrived to check out the action at the Plaza of Nations. They interviewed many of the singers, getting them to sing for the cameras.
Being first in line for the audition, Bates was interviewed by the likes of CTV News, and CBC radio.
"I don't care if I win now; I'm going to be on TV four or five times," laughed Bates.
Bruce Andreychuk, ground maintenance worker at the Plaza of Nations, watched as those waiting overnight settled down.
"It's kinda crazy," said Andreychuck. "It's not that it's a waste of time, but there are people with no talent coming out.
"Still, I get to go home for the night, so I'm fine."
Ilka Steiner, here from Germany to learn English, was walking through the Plaza of Nations on her way home as the Idol hopefuls were allowed into the overnight waiting area.
"This is just like Deutschland sucht den Superstar (Germany's version of Idol)," said Steiner. "There are probably many people here who are talented, but some people are going to be disappointed."
Steiner added that she would never try out for an Idol, even in Germany.
By 9:00 pm, the sun had gone down and the initial excitement wore off, replaced by a weariness that spread over the crowd.
Night had arrived at the Canadian Idol auditions.
The next morning came with the sun rising overhead the glass ceiling of the Plaza of Nations. Many contestants admitted that they got very little sleep or none at all. The overnight was fairly uneventful, save for an impromptu singing of "Happy Birthday" to a contestant celebrating his birthday. Unfortunately, the song ended abruptly as most of the people did not know who the song was intended for.
"I got like maybe a couple of hours of sleep, but I'm so excited," said Nicole Russet. "I'm in such a damn good mood because I met so many cool people."
The television cameras came back in the morning, getting those still milling about back on their feet and cheering.
After a singing of "O Canada," and a countdown led by Canadian Idol special correspondent Jon Dore, the doors to the 'holding area,' in building 770 at the Plaza of Nations were opened shortly before 8:30 am.
As only singers were allowed in, (and parents/guardians of those aged 16-18), many friends and family members who waited overnight had to wait outside building 770, but not before imparting words of support and hugs.
"I love you."
"Good luck out there."
Those with wristbands and their two pieces of identification were given their number for their audition. Immediately after, many headed straight for the washroom, causing at one point a line-up of more than 60 people for two sets of men and women washrooms.
"All I want to do is pee," said one voice from the crowd. "I can't focus on anything else."
After a speech welcoming everyone to the Vancouver auditions by the show's producers and host, Ben Mulroney, the auditions began.
In the first round, groups of five were seen at the same time, while singers who make it to the second round are seen individually. Those who go on to the second round are given a pink sheet signifying their accomplishment.
Walking up and down the audition hall, soft versions of hits by Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Etta James could be heard from the anxious competitors.
Quite often, only one person from a group of five will go on, and there have been times where only one person does not make it to the second round.
"It was disappointing," said Jason Mann, who did not make it through. "I thought I sang well, but [my group] was told that none of us would move on."
The first singer with a pink sheet was Jennifer Wilde.
"It was exciting," said Wilde with a smile as she moved onto the second round. "It went really well, and the judges were really nice."
Unfortunately, Wilde did not make it past the first round.
"I tried my best, and I said that if I got to the second round, I'd be happy. I'll maybe come back again next year (sic)."
John Brunton, executive producer of Canadian Idol, said that all judges wanted soul and honesty from the singers.
"It is that something special that makes the hair on the back of your neck go up," said Brunton. "They have to be original… something that makes them just fantastic."
One person who did make it through to the celebrity judging round later on in the week was Genevieve Rainey.
"It was gruelling," said Rainey. "I had to sing five songs, including the Canada anthem.
"I'm going to prepare for the celebrity judges by listening to songs, and practicing a lot."
At the end, 80 singers from the 1120 total who auditioned received green tickets. Though there is no quota on how many singers from each of the nine cities will go to Toronto, the numbers work out to be about one in ten. This year, like last, B.C. will send 14 singers as part of the top 155.
Judge Zack Werner, who many compare to American Idol's Simon Cowell, just considers Canadian Idol a good show.
"It's not the beginning or the end of the music industry, as some may want to claim," said Werner. "It allows people to have some dreams, and sure it is great, but really, it's just a TV. show."
Special correspondent Jon Dore adds that the music brings different cultures together, and that the show sends a great message.
This year, 150 people from across Canada will go to Toronto. That number will eventually be whittled down to a top 32, who will compete live on CTV starting this summer.
Other facts about Canadian Idol:
- Judges: Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan, Zack Werner
- Host: Ben Mulroney
- Special Correspondent: Jon Dore
- Special guests (last season): Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Jann Arden, The Temptations, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion
- 80% of singers who auditioned last season were female
- 3.3 million votes were cast in the final episode
- An estimated three million people across the country.
- Ryan Malcolm beat out Gary Beals to be Canadian Idol on the shows season finale last year
Questions or comments may be sent to editor@thecommentary.ca