0:00:02 > 0:00:04Last year on the show, ten terrified kids
0:00:04 > 0:00:08found the courage to sing to 40,000 at Proms in the Park.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11CHILDREN SING
0:00:11 > 0:00:15The Big Performance! It's the biggest cheer of the night.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19For this year's kids, the challenge is much bigger
0:00:19 > 0:00:22and much scarier - singing live on BBC One
0:00:22 > 0:00:26to an audience of 11 million on Children In Need night.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29This is the biggest thing I've ever done and I'm scared.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31- Is this a challenge too far? - SOBS
0:00:31 > 0:00:34# Should have heard us knocked-out jailbirds sing, let's rock. #
0:00:34 > 0:00:37This week, they follow in the footsteps of superstars
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- at the Brit School... - THEY SING
0:00:39 > 0:00:42# Look at me now. #
0:00:42 > 0:00:44..a celebrity mentor joins the tour bus...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Melanie C! CHEERING
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..but will it be enough to help them confront their fears,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54including singing to a football team?
0:00:56 > 0:00:59This is The Big Performance 2!
0:00:59 > 0:01:01# Hu uh hu uh hu uh hu uh
0:01:01 > 0:01:04# Hu uh hu uh hu uh hu uh ah
0:01:04 > 0:01:09# A-a-a-a-ah ah oo oo ooh.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11# A-ah yea-eah
0:01:11 > 0:01:17# Oo oo ooh a-a-a-ah ah ah ah
0:01:17 > 0:01:19# Woa-oah a-ah. #
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Ten children who love singing...
0:01:24 > 0:01:26CHILDREN SING
0:01:26 > 0:01:28..who have been teased into silence.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32People might laugh at me. I don't know. They might think I'm rubbish.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35They have just seven weeks until they will be performing live
0:01:35 > 0:01:38to the nation on Children in Need night.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42It falls to one man, choirmaster extraordinaire, Gareth Malone,
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- to turn them from shy singers... - SOBS
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- ..into practised performers. - CHEERING
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- Last time, Gareth channelled his inner Elvis...- Uh-huh uh-huh.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57..to get the group jiving to rock'n'roll.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Thank you very much.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Today, the group get a taste of the music industry
0:02:02 > 0:02:05as they write and record their own song.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- Can I have your autograph? - Not just yet.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12But can they learn it in time to perform live on London radio?
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- Gareth, welcome to BBC London.- We're slightly nervous, I have to say.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18# Ah ah ah! #
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Today the Big Performance tour bus is in London,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27with its world-famous concert venues and music scene,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29it's a suitably inspiring location
0:02:29 > 0:02:31for the huge task that Gareth has in store.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35This week's challenge is the biggest challenge on The Big Performance.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39It's not just a singing challenge. There's more to it than that.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40It's going to be tough I think.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44As usual, the group think they've got Gareth sussed.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49I'm thinking it may be some sort of R&B hip-hop track.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51I reckon it'll be like some kind of rap.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53This is not a hip-hop outfit.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56CLICKS All right?
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Gareth is ready to reveal all.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- Do you want to know what the theme is?- Yes.- Yes.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04There is no theme. It's up to you
0:03:04 > 0:03:08because this week you are going to be writing your own song.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12CHEERING
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I'm so excited that we're writing our own songs.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16I mean, it's pretty much my dream.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- It's just SO exciting. - GIGGLES
0:03:19 > 0:03:23There's no song yet but there is a soloist.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25This week's soloist...
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Taylor, it's you. How are you feeling about that?
0:03:33 > 0:03:39I like rap music, especially N-Dubz! Word!
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I think singing is SUPERB!
0:03:42 > 0:03:44It's part of who I am.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Gareth has brought the group to the Brit School.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52It's here that some of the UK's most popular musical talent
0:03:52 > 0:03:55has been nurtured including Jessie J, Leona Lewis and Adele.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Adele is a perfect example of a successful artist
0:03:59 > 0:04:01who writes lyrics from the heart.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04# ..Should I just keep on... #
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Gareth's hoping Adele's old school will inspire the group
0:04:07 > 0:04:11to follow suit and tap into their own feelings.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13When writing a song, it's important
0:04:13 > 0:04:16to start with an emotion and a real-life experience.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18What thing might we have in common to write about?
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Bullying. I have bullying.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- Has everyone had experience of bullying? ALL:- Yeah.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- What about you, Mohammed? - Primary school.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- What about you, Michael?- Primary. - Primary school. Sasha?
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Stuff that started in secondary and stuff.- Secondary.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- Still going on or kind of finished?- Still going on.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37OK. Imogen?
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- Year seven and eight and primary school.- So you've had quite a lot?
0:04:42 > 0:04:46When you get...bullied, you believe them.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50When they say, "Oh, you're really ugly," you think that you're...
0:04:50 > 0:04:51ugly.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- It's horrible because, yeah...- Yeah.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I had it at school as well in kind of year eight and nine.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58It was really horrible.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01So I think this is something that we can ALL relate to.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04When Gareth first met Imogen,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06a string of bullying incidents had shattered her confidence
0:05:06 > 0:05:08and not just with her singing.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11I've got my hair colour and my stutter.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14It's quite horrible, like they make fun of you.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17So I've just been a bit scared.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20It's tough but Gareth wants the shy singers
0:05:20 > 0:05:24to face up to their experiences to help them write a powerful song.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26People that used to bully me,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- they always use to be about either clothes...- Yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31..or because I liked singing better than football
0:05:31 > 0:05:33cos I was no good at it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35This is a really common experience
0:05:35 > 0:05:37so we'll turn it into something positive.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40We'll make something creative out of it - a song.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Writing down my feelings of being bullied was very hard.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49Knowing that other people in the group have been through
0:05:49 > 0:05:51similar things as me,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55I felt more confident about expressing it to people.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00I felt really proud of myself because I was facing up to my fears.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I found the strength when I was bullied at school,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05just to be myself and not worry about it.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08I want to give them that sense that they can be strong.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10They'll create something fantastic.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Sharing painful experiences is difficult
0:06:14 > 0:06:18but it's essential for any successful singer/songwriter.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Sometimes it's not easy to just put it all out there
0:06:20 > 0:06:23and write it out and say, "Here, this is my life."
0:06:23 > 0:06:25But you've got to go for it.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Just write about anything. Write about what you've done today.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I used to do stuff like that and it really helps cos then
0:06:31 > 0:06:34you'll sing something that you want to tell to people.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38It's an experience that you've had or you've gone through,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41it helps to make the song that more meaningful.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45They've chosen to sing about bullying.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Now they need to start writing the lyrics.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Gareth has brought in songwriter to the stars, Blair MacKichan
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- to help.- So, are you going to write a great song today?- ALL:- Yeah.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Blair has written songs for Lily Allen, Paloma Faith, Pixie Lott...
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- # What you gon' do? - What you gon' do... #
0:07:00 > 0:07:04..and even won a Brit award for Will Young's song Your Game.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07# ..All the time now playing your game. #
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- CHEERING - He's an amazing songwriter
0:07:10 > 0:07:13and he's worked with so many famous people.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15He's like worked with Pixie Lott
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I was like, "Oh, I love Pixie Lott."
0:07:18 > 0:07:21What we need to do with this song is grab people's attention
0:07:21 > 0:07:23very quickly. Try to say something universal
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- and don't bore us - get us to the chorus.- I love that.- Yeah.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Not wanting to bore anyone,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32the group take Blair's advice to heart and get straight onto
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- that all-important chorus. - It's my turn to be free.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38It's my turn to be free.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41That's got a bit of a chorusy feel to it, hasn't it?
0:07:41 > 0:07:46- What else can we say in the chorus? - My sentence is served?- That's great.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- My sentence is served, I love that.- It's good.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Yeah, it's great. Let's see if we can get a rhyme with served.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Has anyone got a good rhyme with served?
0:07:55 > 0:07:59It's my time to be free. My sentence is served. I'm still standing.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- Now I've been heard?- Now I've been heard. I like that. That's good.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I Think that you've got to try and find something new to say.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Also get to the point, keep it simple.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13I'm all about catching people with that first lyric.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15The chorus is nearly finished.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19All they need now is one perfect line to complete it.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22We need to really tie it up nicely at the end, don't we?
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- All I am is just me.- Yeah.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- It's that, isn't it? - It's about being me.- Yeah.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- I think that makes sense. - All those in favour?- Say aye.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Wha-hay! We've got the chorus!
0:08:33 > 0:08:36It was absolutely brilliant to have Blair there.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39He was so good at drawing out the lines from them.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43They wrote the lyrics, an idea about what the song was to be about.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44It's their song.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47I absolutely adore the song. It's so amazing
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and we've written that song deep from the heart.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52I'm really happy with the song.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55It really sends a message through to bullies theirselves
0:08:55 > 0:08:57and people who've got bullied.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02The lyrics are a hit with the group but what they don't know yet
0:09:02 > 0:09:04is when it's finished, they'll debut it on live radio.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08They need to work out the melody.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12James is an accomplished guitarist and kicks things off.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16We need something anthemic and big and happy, don't we?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I like that.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22James has come up with a lovely little riff.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- It's really good, isn't it? - We've got a nice guitar riff.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28James is confident playing guitar in front of people
0:09:28 > 0:09:31but as Gareth found out in his audition,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33this doesn't extend to his singing.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Wow, you're going backwards. Come back and stand here.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- Tell me a bit about yourself, James. - I play guitar a lot at home,
0:09:41 > 0:09:42just in my room.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I try and like make songs and put them together.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49Cos I've been playing for six or seven years
0:09:49 > 0:09:50I might be a bit good at it.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Then when it comes to singing, everyone can have a go at singing.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56I just think that, that's what I'm doing - having a go -
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and I'm not as good as most people.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04James is fantastic. He has a real talent.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08He's a really good singer but really, REALLY underconfident about it.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10That, I want to fix.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15James's enthusiasm sparks more ideas from the usually timid performers.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Who's got an idea for the I'm still standing melody
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- and now I've been heard? - # I'm still standing
0:10:21 > 0:10:24# Now I've been heard. #
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Natasha?- Instead of I'm still standing
0:10:26 > 0:10:28why not I AM still standing?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32# I am still... # I think that's better. # I am still standing. #
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Yeah, I think that's right.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37They're all contributing, which is exactly what I wanted to do.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Get a powerful lyric and a punchy little melody.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44This is going to be a song that is made by them and made for them.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48And that should give us singing like we've not really seen so far.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53- ALL:- # Forget what they say! #- All right, you can do it!- It's a hit.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Later today, they'll be performing their bullying song on the radio
0:10:59 > 0:11:01so they need a backing track to sing along to.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03This is where the magic is made.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06This is where your song is going to come to fruition.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10So on this piano we're going to be doing everything.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- You've got drum kit here. - DRUM BEATS
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- Some weird synthy sounds. - BURBLING NOTES
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Let's go. Is that about the right tempo for you?
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Play along, see how that feels. - PLAYS GUITAR
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Feels about right, eh?
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Gareth wants the whole group to make their mark on this track
0:11:31 > 0:11:34and they quickly find their rhythm.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- PERCUSSIVE BEATS AND JINGLING - Yeah.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Love that.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Yeah.- Yay, well done. A round of applause.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43CHEERING
0:11:43 > 0:11:48Jamming in the recording studio is making them feel like pop stars.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Will Gareth's radio challenge bring them back to earth?
0:11:51 > 0:11:57You are going to be performing this track on BBC Radio London - live.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Yeah.- Whoo-hoo!
0:11:59 > 0:12:04So it's going to need to be really, really fantastic. Er, Taylor?
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- I give you my solo.- You're giving the solo away? You are the soloist.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10It's BBC London. You're from London.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12It's the perfect place for this solo to happen.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17I'm really scared about singing on live radio because
0:12:17 > 0:12:20if I make a mistake there's no second chances.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I think that with a bit more practise of the song
0:12:23 > 0:12:26that we're performing, I reckon that we'll give it all we've got
0:12:26 > 0:12:29and just show that we've tried.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31The thought of singing live and on air
0:12:31 > 0:12:33is extremely daunting for the group
0:12:33 > 0:12:35with added pressure on the soloist.
0:12:35 > 0:12:3812-year-old Taylor is a Londoner born and bred.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42He's a typical boy who loves playing Lego and watching TV.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45His other love is singing all around the house
0:12:45 > 0:12:48but he worries about what people think of him.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51At Taylor's audition, Gareth found out
0:12:51 > 0:12:55why he's so reluctant to step into the spotlight and sing.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- In my primary I got bullied cos I sing.- Really?- Yeah.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01If they hear a boy singing they think...
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- They say, "Oh, this person's rubbish."- Really?- Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07They'll be so many boys out there thinking,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09"Singing's not really for me."
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Tough boys who feel really like it's something really girlie.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16No-one makes anyone feel bad about playing football, do they?
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Why should he be picked on because he likes to sing?
0:13:19 > 0:13:20Later today,
0:13:20 > 0:13:25Taylor's voice will be broadcast live across London's radio waves.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29It's an intimidating performance Gareth needs to get him ready for.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Taylor, it's YOUR solo this week.
0:13:31 > 0:13:38I'd like you to do this whole bit on your own. Yeah, this whole bit...
0:13:38 > 0:13:41on your own. Shall we have a go at it? Oh...
0:13:41 > 0:13:42SINGS SCALES
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Gareth wants to show Taylor he should be proud of his voice
0:13:45 > 0:13:47and not afraid to use it.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49I reckon you could go to here... PLAYS A6
0:13:49 > 0:13:51..without too much trouble.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55I just don't do high notes because I'm worried about what people
0:13:55 > 0:13:57will say cos I'm a boy as well.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00There'll come a time when you can't sing those high notes
0:14:00 > 0:14:03and then you'll never be able to sing those notes again.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07So you might as well enjoy it while it's there, don't you think?
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Fair enough.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10We've a couple of highish notes in this song
0:14:10 > 0:14:12so shall we tackle the song and see...?
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- I think I should at least try it. - OK.
0:14:15 > 0:14:21# Judging eyes that never cease. # Sing that for me.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26# Judging eyes that never cease. #
0:14:26 > 0:14:29And then it's... PIANO PLAYS
0:14:29 > 0:14:31# See what you do. # Try that.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34# See what you do. #
0:14:34 > 0:14:37# Take a look at my face. #
0:14:37 > 0:14:39# Take a look at my face. #
0:14:39 > 0:14:42He sings beautifully when he's singing high.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44When he goes for it, those notes are fantastic.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47But if he's worried about what people are going to think,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49then he'll hold back and it won't sound good.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53PIANO PLAYS One, two, three, and go.
0:14:53 > 0:15:00# Judging eyes that never cease See what you do
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- BOTH:- # Take a look at my face.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07# Broke out of my case They're towering down
0:15:07 > 0:15:11# The wounds always here Look at me now. #
0:15:11 > 0:15:15High five. This is going to be excellent!
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- I'd pay money for that.- Good! - Well done, that's really good.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20That'll be great.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Now I've sung a high note, I felt really proud of myself,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28because only a few boys can do that and some other boys
0:15:28 > 0:15:30can't hit 'em and they're jealous.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33That was a really nice surprise, I was not expecting that.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37His voice sounds great. He puts in so much conviction,
0:15:37 > 0:15:42I want him to get it right. If he does, it'll be fantastic.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46In just seven weeks, the ten nervous singers will be performing
0:15:46 > 0:15:51live on BBC's Children In Need to around 11 million viewers.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55On the night, singing groups across the nation will join them
0:15:55 > 0:15:57via satellite link-up.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Including Brit school-band, Simon,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03who write and record their own music.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Gareth's hoping a performance from them
0:16:05 > 0:16:08will show the group how effective singing your own lyrics can be.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10# Echoes they speak
0:16:10 > 0:16:12# I cannot sleep
0:16:12 > 0:16:15# It's not my... #
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Simon was amazing, their music was inspiring
0:16:18 > 0:16:21and the lead singer was really, really talented.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28All together, they were so in sync...it was unbelievable.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37APPLAUSE
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- Any questions for them, at all? Taylor.- What is the song about?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44This song is about all your childhood dreams
0:16:44 > 0:16:48and aspirations that we had and any of you guys have.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Aim high!- Yes! Aim high.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- Mohammed.- I just wanted to say that you guys were amazing.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Oh, thank you!
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Come and stand in front of this mic here.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Back in the recording studio, the music track is complete.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Taylor's ready to start laying down his vocals.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Can he hit those high notes in front of the others?
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Soon as you hear the music, I'll bring you in.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17# Judging eyes I never see
0:17:17 > 0:17:22# See what you do Take a look at my face
0:17:22 > 0:17:28# Broke out of my cage They're towering down
0:17:28 > 0:17:33# Wounds always heal Look at me now. #
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Hey! One-take wonder!
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- Genius.- It was amazing. Can I have your autograph?
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- LAUGHTER - Not just yet.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45OK, everyone, let's get the rest of the team in.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Taylor's certainly set a high standard.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Can the rest of the group keep it up for the big chorus?
0:17:51 > 0:17:55This is it - the take. We've got to get it right first time. Here we go.
0:17:55 > 0:18:01# It's my turn to be free My sentence is served
0:18:01 > 0:18:06# I am still standing Now I've been heard
0:18:06 > 0:18:08# It's my time to be free
0:18:08 > 0:18:11# And now I can see
0:18:11 > 0:18:13# Forget what they say... #
0:18:13 > 0:18:17They now understand how you get from an emotion, a story,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20to a song and THEN you get to a performance.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I think they've really learnt how to do that today,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26because it was their emotion and they put that into that song.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30# It's about being me. #
0:18:30 > 0:18:33CHEERING
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Well done!
0:18:35 > 0:18:39Fantabulastic, that was! That was so much fun!
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Oh my God, I was so excited. I can't believe it.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Oh my gosh, let's do that again!
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Laying down their track in the recording studio may have been
0:18:48 > 0:18:53a real buzz, but how will they cope when performing it live on air?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55A lot rests on soloist Taylor.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Gareth need to know he can handle the pressure
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and wants him to stop thinking singing is for girls.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Every soloist has to undertake a solo challenge.
0:19:06 > 0:19:12Your challenge is to see if you can sing those high notes in front of
0:19:12 > 0:19:16a football team - and inside here are your brother and your sister.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- Uh!- How are you feeling about that? - Not good.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23I'm feeling really scared about my solo challenge,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27because all these boys might think it's a bit bad,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31because I'm a boy and they expect me to hit the low notes,
0:19:31 > 0:19:32but I can hit high notes as well.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Taylor's got to get over worrying about singing in front of boys.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38This is a really important stage for him,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41so he can concentrate on the music.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Taylor was bullied by boys at primary school for singing.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47If he can get through this challenge,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51he'll stand a better chance of succeeding live on air.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57Here's Taylor. He'll be singing a song that he helped to write.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01This is the first ever public performance of it.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Can he hit the high notes
0:20:03 > 0:20:06and impress his audience with this brand-new song?
0:20:06 > 0:20:10# Judging eyes that never see
0:20:10 > 0:20:13# See what you do
0:20:13 > 0:20:15# Take a look at my face... #
0:20:20 > 0:20:23He helped write the song, but under this pressure,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26he's forgotten the lyrics.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30# It's about being me
0:20:30 > 0:20:35# It's about being me TAYLOR JOINS IN
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- # It's about being... - Me
0:20:40 > 0:20:43# Me. #
0:20:46 > 0:20:47MUSIC STOPS
0:20:51 > 0:20:56So, Taylor, oof! We had a few words go missing there. Are you OK?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59And a couple of lines.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03But, you did sing - you sang in front of them - how was it?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- Scary.- How do you think he did?
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Obviously he forgot some words, but he's only just written the song.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- What about the singing?- It was good.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Yeah? What about the guys in the football team?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- What did you think about his voice? - Great.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- For a young boy, he's pretty good.- Yeah.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Give me a hug, I don't care!
0:21:26 > 0:21:28'I felt really pleased with myself,'
0:21:28 > 0:21:31cos I'm just happy to know they think I'm a good singer.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35It proves girls can sing high notes and so can boys.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Taylor did really well. It sounded really lovely,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41but he forgot crucial words.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45It's particularly difficult to sing a song that's only just been written,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48because it's fuzzy in your mind exactly how it goes.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51We've got to nail that down and get it right,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54in a...very short space of time.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59The next stop is the radio station,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03where they'll have to sing to hundreds of thousands of listeners.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05This is their most public performance
0:22:05 > 0:22:09and that makes the soloist's job much tougher.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12This is where we start to see what they're made of.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Children In Need is just seven weeks away,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17and there'll be no second chances.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Singing live on radio will be their first taste of this kind
0:22:21 > 0:22:25of pressure, so Gareth has called in some celebrity backup.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Today, it's all about doing it live. When that light goes on,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33you're singing to the whole of London.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35This is SUCH a big challenge
0:22:35 > 0:22:40that I've got a celebrity mentor for you - oh, NOW you're listening,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42NOW you're listening!
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Your celebrity mentor is Melanie C!
0:22:46 > 0:22:49THEY SQUEAL
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- How are you all, are you OK? - ALL: Yes!
0:22:53 > 0:22:57As a former member of one of the world's most famous girl bands,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01the Spice Girls, and a hugely successful singer-songwriter,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Melanie C knows exactly the sort of pressure involved in
0:23:04 > 0:23:07a live radio performance.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Melanie, we are about to go live to London on BBC London.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16- You've done lots of live performances.- Yeah.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- Have you got any tips? - You're doing a song you've written,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23so all of these words mean something to you -
0:23:23 > 0:23:25they're very important to you.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I think whenever you're performing, if you can identify
0:23:28 > 0:23:32with the words you're singing and MEAN what you're singing,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34you'll get the best performance.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Taylor is doing the solo. Taylor, how are you feeling?
0:23:38 > 0:23:42I'm really scared that I'll mess up, cos if one of us mess up,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45everyone'll look around and go, "Uh!"
0:23:45 > 0:23:48And it'll sound really wrong on the radio.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52If something goes wrong, you're a team. You're in this together.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55You have to carry one as if everything's just gone great.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Best of luck. Got everything crossed for you.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Me too. Everything, literally.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Time to put all the hard work where it counts -
0:24:05 > 0:24:09into the performance live on radio.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Luckily for them, Melanie will be there for some added moral support.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17I'm quite nervous, but I'm trying to put the nerves behind me.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Now I feel empowered, ready to sing to the bullies and say, "stop it".
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I'm really nervous about going live on air,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- but I'm just hoping it goes well. - I've been on radio before
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- and- I- get scared, so I can't imagine what this is like for them.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35This is very frightening. It's the biggest thing they've done so far.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40JINGLE PLAYS
0:24:40 > 0:24:42'This is BBC London, 94.9.'
0:24:42 > 0:24:45This song means the world to the group
0:24:45 > 0:24:47and everyone wants to get it right.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- 'Weekdays, from 12.' - Gareth, welcome to BBC London.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54It's very good to be here. We're slightly nervous!
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Tell us about the song.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01We wrote it in a short space of time. It's called It's About Being Me.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04They're about to be broadcast across London.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Can Taylor get the song right this time?
0:25:06 > 0:25:11# Judging eyes that never see
0:25:11 > 0:25:17# See what you do Take a look at my face
0:25:17 > 0:25:20# Broke out of my cage
0:25:20 > 0:25:22# They're towering down
0:25:22 > 0:25:26# Wounds always heal Look at me now
0:25:26 > 0:25:28# It's my turn to me free
0:25:28 > 0:25:31# My sentence is served
0:25:31 > 0:25:34# I am still standing
0:25:34 > 0:25:39# Now I've been heard It's my time to be free
0:25:39 > 0:25:41# And now I can see
0:25:41 > 0:25:44# Forget what they say
0:25:44 > 0:25:47# It's about being me
0:25:47 > 0:25:50# It's about being me
0:25:50 > 0:25:52# It's about being me
0:25:52 > 0:25:54# It's about being me
0:25:54 > 0:25:56# It's about being me
0:25:59 > 0:26:05# It's about being me
0:26:08 > 0:26:10That was fantastic!
0:26:10 > 0:26:11APPLAUSE
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Gareth and The Big Performance team,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19that was a very big performance indeed! Well done.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- You've done it?- We've done it!- Yes!
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- That was amazing!- I can't believe we just did that.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27That was SO nerve-racking!
0:26:27 > 0:26:30They did a great job. I'm really proud of them. What a thing to do.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34When I walked in, I had butterflies, but when I started singing,
0:26:34 > 0:26:35it was really good.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Being on the radio felt really brilliant,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41because it was singing in front of loads of people.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44I felt really pleased with myself.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48I think the message we sent out was really powerful and I hope
0:26:48 > 0:26:52the listeners listened to the words, cos I think it really meant a lot.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Writing a song was a huge challenge for them
0:27:01 > 0:27:05but I think it paid off. They sang to the people of London about bullying.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08They sent a really strong message.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12They said no to bullying, and that takes great courage and strength.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16I'm proud of them. We've all made mistakes under pressure - it happens.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17It's human nature.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21But today Taylor just fluffed a bit too much for me and I wonder
0:27:21 > 0:27:24if under pressure of The Big Performance, he might just forget
0:27:24 > 0:27:30what he's doing and I can't afford for that to happen.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34So, I'm giving him a medium-to-low chance of doing the solo.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41Next time, on the Big Performance 2, the pressure mounts...
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- Everybody has to have a say. - I can't do it.- Yes, you can.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47..as the boys and girls go head to head...
0:27:47 > 0:27:51- We are on FIRE.- ..and sing to their first celebrity audience.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53I can't do this.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:02 > 0:28:05E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk