The Stadium Test

The Stadium Test was an idea conceived by Stephen Merchant to see if a band was bound to go down in history or be relegated to novelty and obscurity. The test consists of announcing a band as if they were being introduced to a huge stadium full of people. On 16 February 2002, Ricky and Steve went through a battery of bands declaring which ones passed the test. Karl added a stadium applause sound effect after naming each band, until Ricky thought it sounded too much like Chris Moyles. The test was discussed again on 30 March 2002 after Ricky read out the Xfm Gig Guide, and on 02 August 2003.

Bands That Passed the Test

• Depeche Mode
• Rolling Stones
• The Who
• Hundred Reasons (used for a link)
• Beck (used for a link)
• The Smiths
• Sonic Youth
• Nirvana
• Bread (used for a link, but mockingly)
• Elbow (an exception to the rule)

Bands That Failed the Test

• Visage
• Idlewild
• Ned's Atomic Dustbin
• The Levelers
• Megacity Four
• The Frank & Walters
• Jimmy Eat World
• Cooper Temple Clause
• Pop Will Eat Itself
• Chumbawumba
• The Parkinsons
• Cyclefly
• Coach
• Meanwhile Back in Communist Russia
• The Scaffold
• Dandy Warhols (debatable)
• Where's Me Jumper (name guessed by Ricky)
• Splodgenessabounds
• Carter Unstoppable Sex Machine
• Lazybirds
• The Paperclips
• Treehouse Casino
• Chimney Factory