Chris Moyles criticised for saying ‘most unsigned bands are crap’
Chris Moyles has received criticism for saying that “most unsigned bands are crap”.
The DJ made the comment during his Radio X breakfast show last Friday (February 17) while responding to a listener who had asked why he doesn’t play any new music on the station. “‘Cause that’s not what this show’s all about,” Moyles said.
“And the real reason [we don’t play new acts] is – and this will blow their tiny minds, and they’ll hate this. The reason why we don’t play unsigned bands is because – and there are exceptions to the rule – but the main reason is that most unsigned bands are crap. I’m sorry but that’s the truth.”
Moyles went on to say that he doesn’t want to “sift through hours of crap” to find something worth playing, adding: “That’s someone else’s job – it ain’t my job!”
It was then argued that a national breakfast show isn’t necessarily the right slot in which to debut material by rising artists. You can listen to the conversation below.
Shocking from @ChrisMoyles . ‘Most unsigned bands are crap’. Don’t call yourself a DJ when you’re not interested in discovering new music. Outed yourself once again as a completely insipid half-wit. Video @thereyton69 pic.twitter.com/SRqdZkBd0b
— Hardwicke Circus (@HardwickeCircus) February 19, 2023
Unhinged argument. That’s me switched off from @ChrisMoyles absolutely pathetic https://t.co/Frk1LYDjFk
— Andy Mee (@andymee358) February 20, 2023
Sharing a clip of the rant on Twitter, one listener said that Moyles’ argument was “unhinged” and “absolutely pathetic” while some people called the broadcaster “ignorant”.
Another user explained how unsigned acts currently “need as many outlets as they can get”, citing the recent proposed changes to BBC Introducing. However, that person noted how John Kennedy’s ‘X-Posure’ show on Radio X is “always on the money” in terms of showcasing new talent.
A third wrote: “Chris Moyles and [his] attitude towards new bands/music is the antithesis of everything that was so good about John Peel.”
Elsewhere, someone commented: “I think it’s time we all boycotted @RadioX isn’t it? Never mind the fact it just plays endless lad/dad-rock on repeat, the fact one of its major presenters said this… incredible. You do realise @ChrisMoyles that every band you play, were at one point unsigned right?”
Music site Drowned In Sound, meanwhile, said that Moyles’ controversial take was “a very 90s bloke thing to say”. “There are 100k tracks released every week,” the tweet continued. “The vast majority don’t have labels. Nor need them And plenty of self-releasing acts have had huge success. There’s awful music on labels too.”
Responding to that post, a DiS follower tweeted: “The appearance of ‘unsigned’ as a category at gigs and festivals a few years ago was deeply counter productive to such acts, probably helping to cement attitudes like Moyles’.”
You can see those reactions and more here:
Undoubtedly @ChrisMoyles is a tool but don't dis the whole of @RadioX for his foolishness. Unsigned artists need as many outlets as they can get rn. Especially with the @bbcintroducing situation. @JohnKennedy 's show is always on the money. https://t.co/wxyv41kiWQ
— Yorks Bands (@YorksBands) February 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/dickie_williams/status/1627612712682258435?s=20
Chris Moyles’ comment about unsigned bands being “crap” is a very 90s bloke thing to say
There are 100k tracks released every week
The vast majority don’t have labels
Nor need them
And plenty of self-releasing acts have had huge success
There’s awful music on labels too 😆— Drowned in Sound ⚓️ (@DrownedinSound) February 20, 2023
Disappointed today.. listened to u for over 25 years but your continual drivel this morning has made me turn off @ChrisMoyles @RadioX
I’ll try again tomorrow 😒— Danny (@spurscabdanny) February 20, 2023
What an absolute clown! @ChrisMoyles showing complete disdain for everything all unsigned bands are doing. After struggling to watch any of the absolute drivel at The Brits last week, the music industry needs a complete reset. Proper music from real bands! @RadioX https://t.co/Dilc6YsAus
— Columbia (@columbiawales) February 19, 2023
Always thought #ChrisMoyles was an arrogant, over rated and lazy dj. So his unsigned act rant comes as no surprise.
— Steve Dønaldsøn (@Stezza_Dozza) February 20, 2023
I think it’s time we all boycotted @RadioX isn’t it? Never mind the fact it just plays endless lad/dad-rock on repeat, the fact one of its major presenters said this… incredible. You do realise @ChrisMoyles that every band you play, were at one point unsigned right? https://t.co/6zV06oE1PQ
— NICE GUY (@NICEGUYBAND) February 19, 2023
The sad reality is people like Chris Moyles were never on our side to begin with so his comments don’t surprise me one bit. Never really been a good bloke, has he?
There are loads of people who fly the flag for unsigned artists & they’re the people who matter most. UTC x— The Outcharms (@theoutcharms) February 20, 2023
Dear @ChrisMoyles,
unsigned bands are not ALL bad. There are several incredible bands in our region (Yorkshire), you and others in the radio industry could help them reach a wider audience.
Be the man who supports up-and-coming performers 🇬🇧 has to offer.
Regards
Ant pic.twitter.com/l79g3R68Ah— Anthony Taylor (@iAmRadioAnt) February 19, 2023
It seems the person with a tiny mind is in fact Chris Moyles.
Every band was unsigned once, until people took a chance on them.
Another reason to be more @BBC6Music and less Radio X https://t.co/mIRcHyPcJE— Joanna Wake (@JoannaTees) February 20, 2023
Chris Moyles’ comments are just as unimaginative, ignorant and boring as his general persona and radio station so it really is no surprise. Just makes me miss XFM more to be honest https://t.co/6WXf4pvm3Y
— Ry Kitching (@Ry_Kitching) February 19, 2023
Chris Moyles is the reason I stopped listening to Radio 1. He celebrates ignorance like it is something to be applauded. Bullies people who know more than him, isn’t funny. And don’t get me started on the fake football fan thing.
— Colin (@blacksh33p77) February 20, 2023
However, some listeners had a more diplomatic response to the rant. “Not sticking up for Chris Moyles but the fact people think a breakfast show DJ on a national commercial radio station has any say on what gets played is a big worry,” one said. “He’s wrong to come out with some of the stuff he did right enough, but hardly a surprise he’s acted like that.”
A second Twitter user wrote: “He’s saying what the majority of the general public think unfortunately, who view the term unsigned as a mark of quality. Make no mistake here, if there was a huge thriving scene, he’d be all over it and pretending he was a champion of it all along.”
My take on Chris Moyles….
He’s saying what the majority of the general public think unfortunately, who view the term unsigned as a mark of quality.
Make no mistake here, if there was a huge thriving scene, he’d be all over it and pretending he was a champion of it all along.— Dan Potter (@danpotter31) February 20, 2023
Not sticking up for Chris Moyles but the fact people think a breakfast show DJ on a national commercial radio station has any say on what gets played is a big worry. He’s wrong to come out with some of the stuff he did right enough, but hardly a surprise he’s acted like that.
— Graeme Booth 📻🏴 (@dj_booth81) February 19, 2023
Moyles is yet to respond to the criticism of his comments.