0:00:02 > 0:00:04Six of Britain's most impressive young singer-songwriters...
0:00:04 > 0:00:08I think my first song I wrote was when I was about five.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11..and award-winning choirmaster, Gareth Malone...
0:00:11 > 0:00:14It's got to be right there. This? Disaster.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17..team up with the best in the business...
0:00:17 > 0:00:19When your verses came up, you stepped out. That was cool.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23..to prepare for a Big Performance of historical significance...
0:00:23 > 0:00:26- Gas, gas, gas! - OK, gas masks on, quick!
0:00:26 > 0:00:30..on the 100th anniversary of World War I.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Only one song will be chosen to represent the nation.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Writing the right song for the right occasion. That is the challenge.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Can they do their ancestors proud
0:00:39 > 0:00:42or will the responsibility be too great?
0:00:42 > 0:00:46I think it is risky to put them under so much pressure, but who dares wins.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I'm probably the most nervous I've ever been.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55Today, the kids' songwriting is judged by a new pop superstar.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Some of us are overdoing it, underdoing it, and we all
0:00:58 > 0:01:00just need it to be perfect.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Ben and Molly debut their World War I songs...
0:01:02 > 0:01:06That was one of the sternest-looking crowds I've ever seen.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08..and the group are asked to dance,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10with varying degrees of success.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14It doesn't look balanced, at the moment. I don't want this to be
0:01:14 > 0:01:16a step backwards.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50With just three weeks until their big performance,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Gareth's six young singer-songwriters are hard at work
0:01:53 > 0:01:58on their songs, but are struggling to keep their minds on the job.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01I think everybody's quite annoyed about how the Conor Maynard
0:02:01 > 0:02:03performance went, last time.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06In their last songwriting challenge, the group hit
0:02:06 > 0:02:09a major stumbling block, when they forgot the words and melody
0:02:09 > 0:02:11in front of Conor Maynard.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Guys, erm, did that go perfectly?
0:02:14 > 0:02:15- ALL:- No.
0:02:17 > 0:02:18I think we were all
0:02:18 > 0:02:21a little bit gutted, cos we lacked confidence a little.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24It's a bit, sort of, like, scary, when you forget your words in front
0:02:24 > 0:02:26of someone famous.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29I think it happens to everyone.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31It was just unfortunate it was in front of Conor.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34They had written a good song and they were great
0:02:34 > 0:02:36in rehearsal and it just fell apart in performance.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- And that is so disappointing. - Gareth has concerns
0:02:39 > 0:02:42it could have an even larger impact.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46When we get to the Big Performance, if we forget our words, in front of
0:02:46 > 0:02:51a television audience, it is going to feel absolutely disastrous.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55I don't want to scare you, but we need to just up our game
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- a little bit, don't we? - We were a bit too relaxed.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01We thought, "This is going to be easy." But it wasn't.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05The kids need to turn things round in today's songwriting challenge.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08They will be composing a track for a new pop star,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10but who will it be?
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Let's have a message from somebody very important.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Hi, guys. I'm Eliza Doolittle and I'm coming to meet you,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19so get writing.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22CHEERING
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- Are you all huge fans? - She's really amazing!
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- I love her songs. - She's so lovely.- She's amazing.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29# Let it rain on me... #
0:03:29 > 0:03:32I'm really excited that Eliza Doolittle's coming.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Eliza Doolittle is just an amazing artist and her songs are brilliant.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39I'm really forward to this one. This is going to be a good one.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43# Just let it rain on me... #
0:03:43 > 0:03:48So, today, we are going to look at a song that I think is really upbeat,
0:03:48 > 0:03:54lifts people's spirits and, in fact, it's based on a song that got people
0:03:54 > 0:03:56through the First World War. It's called
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Pack Up.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59# Pack up your troubles
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- # In your old kit bag and... # - Pack Up is one
0:04:03 > 0:04:05of Eliza's biggest hits.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09The lyrics are based on Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit-Bag -
0:04:09 > 0:04:10a morale-boosting World War I song.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14# Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag
0:04:14 > 0:04:18# And smile, smile, smile... #
0:04:18 > 0:04:20# Pack up your troubles... #
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Now, the kids are going to use Eliza's song
0:04:23 > 0:04:25as inspiration for a morale-boosting song of their own.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30Let's look at this song and think about what makes it successful.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32# Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag
0:04:32 > 0:04:34# And da-da, da-da-da, da-da... #
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Two chords. Very, very simple.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Your challenge is to write something very simple - a simple melody
0:04:40 > 0:04:42and a simple chorus.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46First, Gareth wants to brainstorm lyrics for the upbeat song.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I like the fact that we have got
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Pack up Your Troubles in your Old Kit-bag.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Is there anything we could do like that?
0:04:53 > 0:04:58- Use your wings and fly away.- Oh! - I was thinking, you could shed
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- your worries, like the cocoon. Shed - your worries! Now, we are cooking!
0:05:02 > 0:05:05If you are in favour of these lyrics, put your hand up.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08With the group's light-hearted lyrics starting to take shape,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12the next step is finding a catchy tune.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13Over to you.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Gareth wants to keep things simple,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18so the kids have just six notes to work with.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Eliza Doolittle goes that way. Maybe we could start from the bottom.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Some of the biggest hits are no more complicated to sing than
0:05:25 > 0:05:27a nursery rhyme. They have got
0:05:27 > 0:05:29very few notes and that's what makes them catchy.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36That's sounding really good. I think they have got a tune.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38One, two, three, four...
0:05:38 > 0:05:41# Use your wings to fly away
0:05:41 > 0:05:44# Down the path to a better place. #
0:05:44 > 0:05:45I like that.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49I think that the energy's changed. I really like the song
0:05:49 > 0:05:50and what they have done.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53They have worked hard at it and come up with something that works.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54The tide is turning.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57If the kids can impress Eliza with a simple tune,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59they will be on to a winner.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Getting the melody right is crucial
0:06:03 > 0:06:05for your songs to succeed in the music industry.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06I find it truly amazing
0:06:06 > 0:06:10that we have a limited number of notes
0:06:10 > 0:06:13within music, yet we keep coming up with new songs.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17You can't really explain what makes a good melody. It's just people
0:06:17 > 0:06:18like it. That's it.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21I think that's why hits aren't written every day.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26Imagine you're playing at a festival in front of 80,000 people.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28How would you get them all singing along?
0:06:28 > 0:06:30How would you get them dancing and keep them interested?
0:06:33 > 0:06:35THEY SING
0:06:35 > 0:06:38With lyrics and melody already in the bag,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Gareth has one final element he wants the kids to work on.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45Can I introduce you to a very, very, very important word,
0:06:45 > 0:06:46which is groove.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49In this performance, he wants the group to dance...
0:06:49 > 0:06:55I think we want everyone dancing around in the intro. Yeah!
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Get in the groove! That's it!
0:06:56 > 0:06:59..but it's not something that comes naturally to everyone.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Some of them were really getting into their dance moves.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Sid and Ben were really loving it. I wasn't quite so sure about Molly.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12She has such a beautiful voice. Molly's voice is one of the nicest
0:07:12 > 0:07:16in the whole group and, yet, she looks the most reserved.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19If you look embarrassed, it will be embarrassing.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Connecting with the audience is so important,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25if you want to be successful. It is absolutely vital and it is
0:07:25 > 0:07:27something that Molly really struggles with.
0:07:27 > 0:07:2914-year-old Molly, from Cardiff,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32is an accomplished musician, with an extraordinary vocal range.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33SHE SINGS
0:07:33 > 0:07:37'At the moment, I'd say my biggest strength was my voice.'
0:07:37 > 0:07:39I'm classically-trained and sing in a choir.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Back at the auditions, her flawless voice
0:07:42 > 0:07:43hit the right note with Gareth.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49# Sail away from today It's not going
0:07:49 > 0:07:52# Your way... #
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Molly's voice, it just poured out of her.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- Really, really good. - But he did have one concern.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Molly's thinking very hard about the music and about the notes,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05so her eyes glaze over slightly. It wasn't perhaps as expressive
0:08:05 > 0:08:06as it could be.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10'I would have to work with Molly to draw that performance out.'
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Molly has been chosen as a soloist in today's performance,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18so Gareth needs to address the problem.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22I'm really interested in you, cos I think your voice is so lovely.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- But sometimes, you look quite serious.- I don't mean to be.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29I love singing, but I concentrate and just forget to show it
0:08:29 > 0:08:34on my face. I need to put on a show more, cos it is all about the face
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- and I know that. I just don't really do it.- We need to turn this round.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Come on, let's just dance on the sofa.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Go over the top, as much as you can. Be ridiculous.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47# There's no point in worrying... #
0:08:47 > 0:08:48Smile!
0:08:48 > 0:08:51# It will be all right... #
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- What is it with your hands? - I don't know what to do with them.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Just...communicate.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01I feel that I need to do it to progress. I do need to.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03- (You need this.)- I know!
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- You need it, you really do. And you've got it and you can do it.- Yes.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Say to me, "I am an expressive singer".
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- I am an expressive singer.- Say it! - I am an expressive singer.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- Say it more!- I am an expressive singer.- Are you really?- I am!
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Because this is based on a song about lifting people's spirits,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22if Molly doesn't go for it and enjoy it, like all of the others do,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24I think it will really bring the mood down.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Putting today's writing challenge to one side,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36the musicians must now focus on their Big Performance.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39In just three weeks, the kids will be performing a song
0:09:39 > 0:09:42one of them has written at the World War I
0:09:42 > 0:09:44centenary commemoration in Belgium.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49To help inspire their writing, Gareth is taking them to a place
0:09:49 > 0:09:52he hopes will show a different side to The Great War.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery is a mounted unit
0:09:57 > 0:10:01of the British Army, who were formed to honour the role of horses
0:10:01 > 0:10:04in World War I. Today, they appear at ceremonial occasions,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08but back in World War On, their role was much more vital.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I don't think they are going to write songs about horses,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14but it is really useful for them to have an idea of the scale
0:10:14 > 0:10:19and how much World War I affected every aspect of life.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21CHEERING
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Gareth has arranged to meet Captain Nick Watson.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30How important were the horses in World War I?
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Horses were used massively during World War I.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36I think there were about 1,000 a week shipped over the Channel.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Without them, we would never have been able to be as quick
0:10:39 > 0:10:41around the battlefield as we were.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45There were several important roles for the horses when they arrived
0:10:45 > 0:10:49on the front line - moving ammunition and supplies,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51being ridden by soldiers
0:10:51 > 0:10:55and pulling large guns out onto the battlefield to be fired.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01All of which were exceptionally-dangerous jobs.
0:11:01 > 0:11:07In total, about eight million horses died during World War I.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Incredibly, only a quarter of all horses killed in the war
0:11:11 > 0:11:14were from the result of enemy action.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17The rest were a victim of the harsh living conditions.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Many stories have been written about horses' bravery,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25including the famous book, Warhorse.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28As a way of remembering the important role horses played
0:11:28 > 0:11:32in the war, today, the Royal troop have six original World War I guns
0:11:32 > 0:11:34they pull out for ceremonial occasions.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40It was quite a surprise to me about how much the animals made
0:11:40 > 0:11:43a contribution to the war and the amount of horses that died.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46I think it was eight million, or something like that,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48which is really high.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Animals just get used to where they are and to be sent off to
0:11:51 > 0:11:55a strange place and strange sounds, like the guns firing,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- that would be really, really hard. - I think it will have been
0:11:58 > 0:12:03a huge surprise to all of them that, actually, animals were affected
0:12:03 > 0:12:05by World War I just as much as humans.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10Almost every family in the UK has some connection to World War I.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16Today, Gareth wants to speak to Molly about what he has discovered
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- about HER ancestor.- It's amazing to see the work that still goes on
0:12:19 > 0:12:22with horses - exactly the same as would have happened 100 years ago
0:12:22 > 0:12:25or more. So, Molly, you have a family
0:12:25 > 0:12:29World War I connection to horses, as well, don't you?
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- Do you know anything about it? - I only know that I had
0:12:33 > 0:12:36a great-great grandad whose horses were used in World War I.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40That's right. Arthur Edward Hill, his name was.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45- I have actually got a photo of him on his motorbike, here.- Wow.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46And there he is.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51He was a farmer who was very involved with horses and his horses went,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54as you say, to the front. While they were gone - he didn't have any horses
0:12:54 > 0:12:58left - he had a job. He was a dispatch rider.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03As a dispatch rider on the home front, Arthur's job was to deliver
0:13:03 > 0:13:08urgent orders and messages between headquarters and military units.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- It's a wonderful little scene, isn't it?- It is like it comes to life.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- It really does.- Oh, I can't believe it.- Do you feel proud?
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Yeah. Very.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23It's incredible. I just... I wasn't expecting this, at all.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I definitely think it's made me feel more connected to World War I.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30I think I am connected more with my song, as well.
0:13:30 > 0:13:31Molly isn't the only songwriter
0:13:31 > 0:13:35with a family link to the horses of World War I.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39I found out some information about your great-great grandfather,
0:13:39 > 0:13:43a man called John Robert Duke Barber.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47In fact, I have got a picture of him, here...
0:13:49 > 0:13:51..with two horses.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54That's pretty cool.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56It's great, isn't it? Isn't that amazing?
0:13:56 > 0:13:59He, when he was a civilian, worked in a diary.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01He used to take care of the horses.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05Then, when he went to the front, he carried on taking care of the horses
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and if any of the horses were lame or sick,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10they would bring them to your great-great-grandfather.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12That's him.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14100 years ago.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15As well as bringing
0:14:15 > 0:14:18his valuable skills with horses to the front line,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21John Barber was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery
0:14:21 > 0:14:25and won several medals for his bravery in the war.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27It's really weird because it looks like one of those photos
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- you see in a history lesson, like... - Mm.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31And now it's actually, like, real life.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34That-that could have been me, that's my relative.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36'Knowing that that was his great-great-grandfather
0:14:36 > 0:14:37'in that photograph'
0:14:37 > 0:14:41was really a very important moment for him.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45World War I is starting to feel a lot more real for Ben and Molly,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49but are their commemorative songs heading in the right direction?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52It's time to test run what they've written so far
0:14:52 > 0:14:55in front of the toughest crowd they have ever faced,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58the King's Troop soldiers.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00It'd be great to get your feedback on the mood
0:15:00 > 0:15:03and whether you think it would fit a state occasion
0:15:03 > 0:15:05commemorating the beginning of World War I.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Really looking forward to hearing what you've come up with.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Ben, would you like to start?
0:15:10 > 0:15:16# Today's the day that we will say that war is finally over
0:15:16 > 0:15:21# Today's the day that we will sail towards the Cliffs of Dover
0:15:21 > 0:15:23# You served your duty well
0:15:23 > 0:15:27# And our respect will never end. #
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Any immediate thoughts about that?
0:15:34 > 0:15:36You can almost imagine the scenes exactly in your head
0:15:36 > 0:15:39as it's going on. When he sang, "The White Cliffs of Dover,"
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- to me, I instantly could picture that.- Great.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43That was... It was really good. Really enjoyed it.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45What about the way Ben performed his song?
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Did that work for you as military people?
0:15:48 > 0:15:49Yeah, I thought it was good
0:15:49 > 0:15:51but I think he needs to just project himself,
0:15:51 > 0:15:52stand up a little straighter.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54So imagine himself as a soldier.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58I thought Ben really had some lovely lyrics about the war being over
0:15:58 > 0:16:00and rhyming that with Dover. Whereas it...
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Perhaps the rhythm of it, it felt a little bit light and poppy.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06So that's perhaps something for him to think about.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Molly, shall we have yours?
0:16:08 > 0:16:10# Stand up
0:16:10 > 0:16:12# Be proud
0:16:12 > 0:16:15# They were all the heroes
0:16:15 > 0:16:16# For light
0:16:16 > 0:16:18# For peace
0:16:18 > 0:16:21# We walk ahead as one. #
0:16:24 > 0:16:25How did you find her song?
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I thought it was really good. I liked "Stand up and be proud."
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I liked that sort of tone running through it.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- I thought that was really good. - Feels right for a state event?
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- Yes, exactly.- OK.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36That was one of the sternest-looking crowds I've ever seen.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Actually, I thought Molly and Ben both did very well.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41They held their nerves, they performed
0:16:41 > 0:16:43and I think their songs went down well.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Back at HQ, it's time to get rehearsing for today's challenge.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Eliza Doolittle is on her way.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56The talented group have managed to write
0:16:56 > 0:16:59an upbeat song for Eliza Doolittle,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02based on her own track, Pack Up,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04But, this time, Gareth wants them to dance
0:17:04 > 0:17:07and their groove still needs work.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09So far, they have not pulled of a performance
0:17:09 > 0:17:10where they all look like a group.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12And it's really important here
0:17:12 > 0:17:14because we've actually got movement in it.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Can I just hear it? Ready?
0:17:16 > 0:17:19# There's no point in being scared
0:17:19 > 0:17:22# It will be OK
0:17:22 > 0:17:24# Use yours wings to fly... #
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Good. Molly. I'm just noticing that you're sort of staring off in front.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Your performance has to take in everyone.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Do you feel like you're doing a lot at the moment?
0:17:33 > 0:17:34Kind of. I could do more.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35MORE?!
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Honestly, there is no such thing as too much in a situation like this.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Earlier, Gareth tried to get Molly fired up for her solo performance.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- Say it!- I am an expressive singer.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- Say it MORE! - I AM an expressive singer!
0:17:48 > 0:17:52But he's still not seeing the expression he was looking for.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I'm worried that, in front of Eliza Doolittle,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Molly might actually get worse. She might retreat into herself
0:17:57 > 0:17:59and what I want is for her to have a really good time.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Fingers crossed, she's going to pull it out of the bag.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03# It'll get better... #
0:18:03 > 0:18:05And today's other soloist, Ben,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07appears to have the opposite problem.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Ben, you can't seemed to stand still for a second. It's just like...
0:18:11 > 0:18:14you've just burnt the bottom of your feet or something.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Down the end, we had this...
0:18:16 > 0:18:17THEY LAUGH
0:18:17 > 0:18:19And then, down this end, we had this...
0:18:20 > 0:18:23..so it doesn't look balanced at the moment.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25My two soloists are really different.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Ben can't stand still, he's fidgety -
0:18:28 > 0:18:30that doesn't make for a great performance.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31Molly is completely the opposite.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34She hardly moves at all, she just stands stock still
0:18:34 > 0:18:35and looks terrified.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Gareth is looking for a seamless group performance
0:18:40 > 0:18:42but blending in doesn't come naturally to Ben.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44# ..a better day... #
0:18:44 > 0:18:45HE PLAYS DISSONANT CHORDS
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- BEN:- That was my fault, sorry!
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I do sometimes find it quite hard to stand still
0:18:49 > 0:18:52because I have a different kind of performing style -
0:18:52 > 0:18:53I used to be, like, in a band,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56so it was more jumpy-around kind of thing.
0:18:56 > 0:18:5913-year-old Ben is a super-charged singer
0:18:59 > 0:19:02who wants to get his music to the masses.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04I would just generally love to be known
0:19:04 > 0:19:06and, like, make people happy with my music
0:19:06 > 0:19:10and to know that they love my music would be just fantastic.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Back at the auditions,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15he put on an impressive performance of one of his own songs.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18# You have the eyes of a wise man
0:19:18 > 0:19:20# So guide me through... #
0:19:20 > 0:19:23And his stage presence also caught Gareth's eye.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Ben is really creative. I thought his song was very good.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29But he was a bag of nerves.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31He couldn't stand still, he was very jittery,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33so that's something that would worry me.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- Lovely to meet you. I'll be in touch.- OK.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37Final rehearsal time.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Now Gareth needs to quickly address the problem,
0:19:39 > 0:19:43before Ben faces his solo in front of Eliza Doolittle.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46You sing really well. And you're really expressive.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48I think what we need to do is just contain your energy -
0:19:48 > 0:19:51you've got so much energy, it's like you can't stand still.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55# Everything's going to be OK... #
0:19:55 > 0:19:58It's these little telltale giveaways. Just that. Just before...
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- Want me put my hands behind my back? - No. I just don't want you to fidget.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03I can just see your hands are like this.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Like, "Oh, what I do? "What do I do with my hands?"
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- I'm usually playing an instrument. - Ah, I see. That's what this is.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10No, we definitely just want you to perform.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Gareth has discovered the cause
0:20:13 > 0:20:16but can he help Ben channel his nervous energy?
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Nice and still. Your feet are still, legs are still.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Relaxing.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Whatever it is, just make it slow and kind of fluid.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Like waves lapping the shore.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Can you see how slow my movements are? They're not like this.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36# Everything's going to be OK.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38# It'll get better from here. #
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Yeah? Feels really agitated.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42I need to work on not doing this with my feet, like,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46moving my feet around and just need to stop fiddling with my shirt
0:20:46 > 0:20:48and just show all the energy in my face.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50This applies to everything we're going to do.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54I want to see a relaxed Ben, a calm Ben. That's really going to help.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57BEATBOXING
0:21:00 > 0:21:02With Eliza Doolittle just minutes away,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05the kids have kitted up for their party song,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08but no-one feels like celebrating just yet.
0:21:08 > 0:21:09This is important, to get it right,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12cos last time, when we performed in front of Conor,
0:21:12 > 0:21:13it sort of fell apart.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17This one really want to get perfect so we can sort of redeem ourselves.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19If I don't smile as much as I could do in the performance,
0:21:19 > 0:21:21then I think that I might let the whole group down.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25We're all trying to get it right and some of us are overdoing it,
0:21:25 > 0:21:29under-doing it and we all just need it to be perfect.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32You know, the group has got to get better and better and better
0:21:32 > 0:21:34on the way to our big performance at Belgium
0:21:34 > 0:21:37and I don't want this to be a step backwards.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39With a string of hits already to her name,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Eliza Doolittle has high expectations
0:21:42 > 0:21:44when it comes to performance.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45I love to hear a really good voice
0:21:45 > 0:21:50and definitely charisma on stage and good energy.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I'm always honest, so if I hear something that...
0:21:53 > 0:21:57you know, I think they can improve on, I'll give them true feedback.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Hello.- Here she is!
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Oh, my God!
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Hello, guys.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Eliza, we've been writing a song for you.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13And it's a very upbeat song.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16It's sort of based on the idea behind Pack Up,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19which is a, you know... It's a cheering-people-up song.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22So how has it gone, all the songwriting?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24It's gone pretty good, to be honest.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25We were pretty proud of it in the end.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Like, we sang it and we were like, "This is pretty cool actually."
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Oh, dear! Pride comes before a fall.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- Right. Are you ready to hear the song?- I'm ready.- Let's do it!
0:22:36 > 0:22:40The young songwriters desperately need a good performance.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43But will their upbeat song strike a chord with Eliza?
0:22:51 > 0:22:54# Everything's going to be OK
0:22:54 > 0:22:57# It'll get better from here
0:22:57 > 0:23:00# What's the point in worrying?
0:23:00 > 0:23:04# It'll be all right
0:23:04 > 0:23:07# Use your wings to fly away
0:23:07 > 0:23:11# Down the path to a better day
0:23:11 > 0:23:14# Shed your worries, spread your wings
0:23:14 > 0:23:18# Out of winter, the sunlight springs
0:23:18 > 0:23:22# Out of winter, the sunlight springs
0:23:27 > 0:23:31# Everything's good to be all right
0:23:31 > 0:23:34# It will get better from here
0:23:34 > 0:23:37# There's no point in being scared
0:23:37 > 0:23:40# It'll be OK
0:23:40 > 0:23:44# Use your wings and fly away
0:23:44 > 0:23:47# Down the path to a better day
0:23:47 > 0:23:50# Shed your worries, spread your wings
0:23:50 > 0:23:53# Out of winter, the sunlight springs
0:23:53 > 0:23:58# Out of winter, the sunlight springs. #
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Yeah! Loved it!
0:24:01 > 0:24:05The catchy song has got Eliza smiling.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07- What did you think?- I thought it was really good fun. Yeah.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I really enjoyed that.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Especially that lyric, "Out of winter, the sunshine springs."
0:24:13 > 0:24:14I love that.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Who came up with that? Sid! Well done, Sid.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Eliza, how did you feel about our two soloists?
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Ben was Mr Fidget earlier on
0:24:23 > 0:24:25and Molly was hardly moving at all.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Did you feel that it balanced out in the performance?
0:24:27 > 0:24:28Oh, yeah, yeah. Definitely.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Ben, I thought your voice was really something special, actually.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34I really like it.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36It doesn't matter about your movement, just make sure
0:24:36 > 0:24:40you don't look nervous or unconfident because that...
0:24:40 > 0:24:44You've got to be, you know, really sure of yourself.
0:24:44 > 0:24:45Molly, I wouldn't have known
0:24:45 > 0:24:48that you were struggling with your movement,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50you seemed really relaxed with the way you were moving.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- You just had a little thing going on, it was cute.- Thank you!
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Well done, Molly, that's fantastic feedback, really good.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Did you think... I mean, good performance?
0:24:58 > 0:24:59How did you feel about that?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02You guys have obviously been working on your movement
0:25:02 > 0:25:03as well as the songwriting.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Since it's your first time trying to get really into it,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08it felt a little bit, at times, unnatural
0:25:08 > 0:25:09but that's completely normal,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11cos this is your first time trying it.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15So I would say, next time, just try to really feel it from your heart.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17And just don't think about it too much.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Do you find that the more you think about things,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21the more unnatural it gets?
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Definitely. I do it all the time as well.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24I'll be on stage and be like,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26"Oh, why is my leg over there?"
0:25:26 > 0:25:28And, you know, I just have to shake it off and forget about it
0:25:28 > 0:25:30and get back to the moment again.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Do you have any tips for being confident on stage?
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Even now, when I get a bit nervous, I just take a big breath and...
0:25:36 > 0:25:40exhale just before I walk on and just try and really relax.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Going forward, I think we can...
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- They can afford to be confident, can't they?- Absolutely.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47You should be really proud of yourselves.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49I think it went really, really well.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51It's one of our best performances yet.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54I think it is a real confidence booster for everyone.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57The energy was high. I think that's what this song needed.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59The biggest thing I've learned this time
0:25:59 > 0:26:01is to show what I feel on the inside on the outside
0:26:01 > 0:26:03so it looks as though it's a good performance to everyone.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Eliza said my voice was something special. That's...
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Ah!
0:26:08 > 0:26:09HE CHUCKLES
0:26:09 > 0:26:11That was their best performance so far.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13I really enjoyed it, it felt like they enjoyed it, too.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Definitely in the right direction.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18It's a great step forward for the singers
0:26:18 > 0:26:22but, in three weeks' time, they will face an even bigger challenge -
0:26:22 > 0:26:26performing at the World War I commemoration in Belgium.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28We can't rest on our laurels now.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32We've had a good performance but they're not ready for Belgium,
0:26:32 > 0:26:33not by any means.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36I think fir the kids it's going to be really difficult
0:26:36 > 0:26:38to write a song for World War I because...
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- I mean,- I- would find it difficult.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43There's so much emotion in something like war.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44I guess the most important thing
0:26:44 > 0:26:48is to think about what's really important in life.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54So the deal is they've sung for you, it's your turn to sing to them.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56OK, that's a deal.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59BEATBOXING
0:27:06 > 0:27:10# I always give away too much
0:27:11 > 0:27:14# Too much of who I am
0:27:19 > 0:27:24# And when I don't get no returns
0:27:24 > 0:27:27# I have to start again
0:27:30 > 0:27:35# And it takes time
0:27:35 > 0:27:40# To collect every little speck that makes me whole
0:27:42 > 0:27:47# It's a hard-knock life
0:27:47 > 0:27:52# But I know just what'll give me that push to make it home
0:27:55 > 0:27:58# Because you make me feel... #
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Today the young songwriters have ended on a high note
0:28:02 > 0:28:05but can they stay positive under pressure?
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Next time, it's back to school for the Big Performance kids...
0:28:09 > 0:28:12If you have ears, use them to listen!
0:28:13 > 0:28:16..the musicians face their most emotional challenge yet...
0:28:16 > 0:28:20- Nobody's going to cry. - I'm so sorry! I'm sorry, guys!
0:28:20 > 0:28:23..and can the songwriters impress pop star Pixie Lott?
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Hello, everyone.