Which band won Netflix’s Building the Band? 

Netflix’s new music competition, Building the Band, wrapped up its first season with girl group 3Quency taking home the win and a $500,000 prize. The trio, made up of Nori Royale, Wennely Quezada, and Brianna Mazzola, wowed the judges and beat out mixed-gender group SZN4 in the finale, which dropped on Wednesday, July 23.

Building the Band had a fresh twist: musicians had to team up without seeing each other first, forming bands based purely on sound and vibe from inside separate booths. Most contestants, in their twenties, leaned into classic group formats, think girl groups and boy bands.

3Quency’s big win was the result of strong performances and undeniable chemistry. The final episode brought emotional judge reactions and tough decisions for Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, and Liam Payne, in what turned out to be one of Payne’s final TV appearances before his passing in October 2024.

This season of Building the Band brought a lot of heart, plenty of harmonies, and a new girl group to watch.

What happened in the Building the Band finale?

The Season 1 finale presented viewers with a nail-biting conclusion between two vastly different groups. 3Quency represented the classic girl group formula, while SZN4 broke convention as the competition's only mixed-gender ensemble. The latter group consisted of Donzell Taggart, Aaliyah Rose, Cameron Goode, and Katie Roeder.

SZN4's risky approach nearly paid off. 3Quency’s emotional cover of Rag’n’Bone Man’s “Human” had everyone choked up; even host AJ McLean and the judges couldn’t hold back tears. Kelly Rowland was so blown away, she called their win halfway through the episode.

But what really sealed the deal was their steady climb all season long. Their final performance, a heartfelt take on Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby,” showed just how far they’d come, something Nicole Scherzinger said really stood out to her.

The path to the finale involved difficult choices for the celebrity panel. Before the final two could compete, judges eliminated Iconyx (previously known as Soulidified), clearing the way for 3Quency and SZN4's ultimate face-off.

Scherzinger praised 3Quency's readiness and development throughout the season. She highlighted their ability to deliver when it mattered most, describing them as a group that "pulled out all the stops."

The decision proved Rowland's earlier prediction wrong, demonstrating how quickly momentum can shift in reality competition television.

Several other bands formed during the season but fell short of the finale. Midnight Til Morning, Siren Society, and Sweet Seduction demonstrated talent but couldn't sustain their momentum through the competition's challenging format.

The sound booth concept proved both innovative and demanding, requiring contestants to build chemistry without visual cues initially.

Liam Payne’s final TV moment

The show carries additional significance as Payne's last television appearance. Filming took place in September 2024, just weeks before the former One Direction member's death in Buenos Aires on October 16.

Payne connected deeply with contestants, particularly the eliminated boy band Iconyx. Drawing from his own experience, he reminded them that One Direction finished third on "The X-Factor" before achieving global success.

His backstage encouragement to the departing group revealed his understanding of competition disappointment. Payne's belief in their potential offered hope beyond the show's conclusion.

3Quency's victory validates the traditional girl group approach, while SZN4's runner-up finish proves alternative formats can succeed. The three winners receive resources to begin their professional careers with the $500,000 award.

Building The Band made a name for itself as a novel approach to music competition events by prioritising real musical relationships above staged drama. Given the popularity of the season, Netflix might keep experimenting with this format for upcoming releases.

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Building the Band Season 1 is streaming exclusively on Netflix.

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