New format but the beat continues

Sing! China breaks from tradition to present an even more exciting competition, Li Yingxue reports.

For 11 years, the signature blind audition format of the talent show Sing! China has captivated audiences, where talented contestants astound coaches with their voices, unseen but deeply felt.

However, there is a game-changing twist this season, as the show breaks free from tradition and introduces the electrifying "visible selection track". Contestants now have the chance to decide whether to boldly face the mentors head-on, setting the stage for even more excitement, jaw-dropping drama, and unforgettable moments.

The 2023 edition of Sing! China premiered on July 28, and will be broadcast on Zhejiang Satellite TV each Friday night.

The competition seeks to discover new talent, among both professional and amateur singers. It serves as a rebranded edition of The Voice of China, which originally premiered in 2012 and was inspired by The Voice of Holland.

According to Jin Lei, general director of the show, the introduction of visible selection is to ensure that every music genre can receive ample exposure and expression on the stage.

In the visible selection track, contestants face the coaches directly as soon as they step onto the stage. During their performance, if a coach feels that the contestant isn't suitable for their team, they can press a button to turn their chair around. If contestants finish their performance and one coach has not turned around, they automatically join the team of that coach.

If multiple coaches don't turn away, the contestant gets to choose their preferred coach. However, if all four coaches turn away, the performance ends immediately.

At the same time, the traditional blind audition track is still retained, where regardless of the outcome, contestants can complete their prepared song on the stage.

Jin explains that the reason to introduce the groundbreaking visible selection track is that they have discovered that this stage of the competition not only harbors the boundless dreams of the contestants, but also offers infinite possibilities.

In the 2023 edition the audience will not only hear mesmerizing voices, but also witness talented singing and dancing performances, Jin says.

"We can see breathtaking performances that seamlessly blend Chinese traditional opera with pop music, energetic performances by anime-inspired bands, and heart-touching mini-musicals," he says. "The stage of Sing! China welcomes everyone with limitless potential and boundless talent to display their extraordinary creativity and artistry."

According to Jin, this year's program has, for the first time, welcomed contestants born after 2005 and the competition has attracted talented individuals from all around the world, as they showcase their skills and passion.

"In the past 11 years, it has continued to thrive because it has been the spiritual home for the contemporary youth of China. We discover that today's Chinese youths are expressing their profound emotions, cultural confidence and sincere passion through popular music," Jin says.