Scanning for information Working towards Level 4 Understand, describe, select or retrieve information from texts Scanning for information Everyone wants to be in a pop band when they are teenagers because they think they will become a celebrity and make lots of money. More pop bands fail than are successful and aspiring pop musicians need to have a back-up plan if they are going to be able to make a living for themselves. Not everyone can copy the success of Take That or Westlife – not because they do not have the necessary talent; success is more to do with how the band is marketed and promoted by their manager and the quality of the competition from other bands. If pop bands do not have that level of financial and business support, then they are less likely to be successful. Upgrade English Levels 3–4 © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 2012

Scanning for information Working towards Level 4 Understand, describe, select or retrieve information from texts Scanning for information Image is another important aspect to consider. The appeal of bands such as Girls Aloud and JLS is that they are also physically very attractive and dress in a way that is exciting and daring. It is hard to be successful when there are so many bands to compete with, so each band has to develop its own special brand to make it stand out from the crowd. A further important factor is how bands keep their fans loyal and interested in their music. Upgrade English Levels 3–4 © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 2012

Scanning for information Working towards Level 4 Understand, describe, select or retrieve information from texts Scanning for information Bands that have remained successful for a long time also need to get on well together. Many famous bands have broken up because they could no longer work together. There are always stories in the gossip columns about how some band members become bigheaded and start thinking they are better than others in the band. Also as bands get older they can lose their fan base as they no longer appeal to teenagers and they have been overtaken by younger and more exciting pop groups. There is also a danger that the bands themselves get bored with touring and the endless pressure of the publicity machine, and decide they have had enough and quit music for a quieter, more private life. Upgrade English Levels 3–4 © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 2012