Simon Cowell is starting his search for a new band this weekend after cancelling his first two originally scheduled dates in Gateshead

Simon Cowell’s new auditions for a boyband even bigger than One Direction will be unrecognisable from X Factor – as he is stripping back the entire production.

The 64-year-old  music mogul begins his talent search in Liverpool this weekend after canceling his first two Gateshead dates for his campaign “Simon Needs You” this year.

And sources working alongside him told how they expect contestants to be shocked when they finally see the set-up of their auditions.

One said: “These auditions will not look like The X Factor in the slightest – no shiny desks, big productions or  celebrity guests. It will be incredibly stripped back.

Simon has amassed a team of real experts – songwriters, producers and A&R people – who he really trusts. Together they’ll be chatting to the talent and trying to work out who should go through.”

The docu-series, which is not yet connected to a channel or streaming giant, is being made by Box 2 Box Productions. The company’s most recent hit was Netflix ’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive. And the source went on to explain that Simon’s show will be cut from the same cloth.

They went on: “The idea is to capture that same sense of pressure behind the scenes – what the contestants are going through. And also the pressure Simon will be under to create a band that really have an impact, and achieve that standard he is looking for. He knows better than anyone what he is aiming for when he is talking about a band bigger than One Direction.”

Speaking about the project earlier this year, Simon admitted that the show has no built-in record deal arranged with a label. Rather, the team will have to hope that the successful candidates have enough star power to grab a label’s interest. Speaking in an exclusive interview, he said: “It’s a risk.”

Asked about the demand for talent shows in the industry, he went on: “It’s such a crowded marketplace and there are so many people trying to get attention online – hundreds of thousands if not millions of people. What these shows do is you get a bigger audience. I would argue there is a bigger need for these shows than 10,20 years ago.”

Simon Cowell is embarking on a new journey to find the next big boyband, bigger than One Direction. He is taking a different approach this time, stripping back the entire production to focus on the raw talent of the contestants.

Unlike The X Factor, Simon’s new auditions will not have shiny desks, big productions, or  celebrity guests. The focus will be on the contestants and their abilities, with a team of experts including songwriters, producers, and A&R people to guide the selection process.

The upcoming docu-series, produced by Box 2 Box Productions, aims to capture the intense pressure behind the scenes as contestants strive to impress Simon and secure a spot in the new band. Simon is determined to create a band that surpasses the success of One Direction.

Simon admitted that the show does not guarantee a record deal with a label, but rather relies on the star power and talent of the chosen candidates to attract interest from labels. It’s a risk, but Simon believes in the potential of the new band.

In a competitive industry filled with aspiring talents, Simon acknowledges the importance of talent shows in providing a platform for artists to showcase their skills to a larger audience. With the ever-growing demand for new talent, shows like Simon’s are essential for discovering the next big star.

Stay tuned for more updates on Simon’s search for the next big boyband. Your support motivates us to provide you with valuable information.