Building the Band


Building the Band is an American reality television singing competition that aired on Netflix in July 2025. The program format sees 50 artists form six groups through a selection process, which leads to eliminations until one group is selected as the winner and earning a $500,000 prize.

Format

In the first round, all 50 artists sang a solo performance to the rest of the contestants while in pods, unable to see one another. Each artist was able to send 10 "likes" to performers who they wanted to see in a band alongside them. Artists who received fewer than five likes or had only been liked by performers who had been eliminated or formed a band without them, were eliminated. At the end of the round, six bands formed, each containing three to five members, who met for the first time during subsequent performances; these then competed in showcases, with each eliminating a band.

History

Netflix announced Building the Band in May 2024 and that Banijay UK subdivision Remarkable Entertainment would produce it. They announced its host and judges, AJ McLean, Liam Payne, Kelly Rowland, and Nicole Scherzinger, that August; the four had previously been members of the Backstreet Boys, One Direction, Destiny's Child, and the Pussycat Dolls. Production took place that summer of 2024, with the final performances taped in late August in Manchester. Payne died in October 2024; the show marked his final public appearance. Episodes were broadcast in batches between July 9 and July 23, 2025; the latter date also marked One Direction's 15th anniversary.

The Booths

Artist eligible to form a band
Artist ineligible to form a band
Artist was eliminated with less than 5 likes
Artists formed a band

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

After five groups had been formed, Bri, Christian, Jenna M., Jermarcus, Karlee, Max, Maya, and Thomas were eliminated due to lack of remaining connections.

Episode 5

After all six groups had been formed, Alexandra, Cece, Eric, Ethan, Joey, Mandy, Nico, Peter, Pillow, and Valerie were eliminated.
;Notes

First Looks

EpisodeOrderBandSong
Episode 51Autumn, Erica, Jenna D. & Noriella"Love Yourself"
Episode 52Conor, Mason, Shane & Zach"Ocean Eyes"
Episode 63Aaliyah, Cameron, Donzell & Katie"Somebody That I Used To Know"
Episode 64Brianna, Nori & Wennely"Kill Bill"
Episode 65Bradley, Landon, Malik & Shade"U Remind Me"
Episode 66Alison, Elise & Haley"I Want It That Way"

;Notes

The Showcases

Band Names:
  • Band 1, Aaliyah, Cameron, Donzell & Katie, formed the group SZN4.
  • Band 2, Bradley, Landon, Malik & Shade, formed the group Soulidified; in episode 10 they changed their name to ICONYX.
  • Band 3, Brianna, Nori & Wennely, formed the group 3Quency.
  • Band 4, Conor, Mason, Shane & Zach, formed the group Midnight 'Til Morning.
  • Band 5, Autumn, Erica, Jenna D. & Noriella, formed the group Siren Society.
  • Band 6, Alison, Elise & Haley, formed the group Sweet Seduction.

    Episode 7

OrderBandSongResult
1Sweet Seduction"Emotions"Safe
2Midnight 'Til Morning"Iris"Bottom two
3Siren Society"Don't Cha"Eliminated
4Soulidified"Sure Thing"Safe
53Quency"Made for Me"Safe
6SZN4"Sweet Love"Safe

Episode 8

OrderBandSongResult
1SZN4"Believer"Safe
2Sweet Seduction"Ghost"Eliminated
3Soulidified"Can We Talk"Safe
4Midnight 'Til Morning"The Reason"Bottom two
53Quency"Bad Guy"Safe

Episode 9

OrderBandSongResult
1SZN4"Bust Your Windows"Safe
2Midnight 'Til Morning"Circles"Eliminated
33Quency"Have You Ever?"Safe
4Soulidified"Saturn"Bottom two

Episode 10

Elimination chart

Although the show was advertised with 50 contestants, only 44 were revealed to the public.
Winner Bottom two
Runner-up Formed a group
Third place Did not perform
Eliminated

;Notes

Episodes