The Big Music Quiz
| Company type | Television game show |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television entertainment |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Television program |
| Parent | Endemol Shine Australia |
The Big Music Quiz is an Australian TV game show derived from the French format Le Grand Blind Test. Hosted by Darren McMullen, it was broadcast on the Seven Network during 2016. The show involves celebrities taking part in various music-related trivia contests, including identifying original performers of cover tracks, recognizing songs played at increased speeds, and interpreting tunes sung in foreign languages. Produced by Endemol Shine Australia and recorded in Melbourne, the series consisted of a single season comprising eight episodes.
Background
On 13 March 2016, the Seven Network secured the Australian broadcasting rights for The Big Music Quiz, with production commencing in April and Darren McMullen confirmed as host.
A few days later, a public call invited lively participants who were willing to stand and dance during filming.
Format
The competition begins with celebrities participating in a warm-up round where they identify original artists behind popular cover songs. The highest scorers then select their teams for rounds two through four, which feature challenges such as naming songs played at ten times their usual speed, a personalized segment related to the contestants’ careers, and recognizing cover versions performed in different languages. Round five involves direct head-to-head battles where altered songs must be identified. The final round sees members of the leading team individually shouting out song titles within a two-minute timeframe.
Round 1: The Warm Up
Eight celebrity panelists each have 20 seconds to name the original artist of familiar songs; after 15 seconds, a "cheat sheet" is displayed. The top two scorers become Team Captains and choose their teammates.
Round 2: Unlikely Covers
Teams are given 30 seconds to identify original artists of live-performed cover songs. Buzzers become active after seven seconds.
Round 3: Headphone Heroes
Contestants listen to singers wearing headphones and must buzz in within 30 seconds to name the original artist; buzzers activate after seven seconds.
Round 4: Personal Playlist
Teams guess artists featured in themed segments inspired by the panelists’ professional backgrounds. All team members can earn points using a cheat sheet shown during the final five seconds of each track.
Round 5: Twisted Tunes
In this decisive team round, one player from each team competes to identify original artists from songs that have been distorted—sped up, slowed down, reversed, or otherwise altered. The first correct buzzer scores points. Each panelist participates once over four rounds. The team with the highest total advances to the Final Round, while the losing side performs a dance routine set to a popular song.
Round 6: The Final
Members of the winning team compete individually, each given 60 seconds to name as many original artists as possible. The top scorer earns the title of The Big Music Quiz Champion for that episode. The losing team concludes the show with their dance performance.