Debate the merits of the X Factor's influence on modern music in the company of the likes of writer Norman Lebrecht, journalist Peter Whittle and notorious former Heat editor Mark Frith.

The democratisation of the music business in the shape of reality TV shows like the X factor has polarised opinion. Listen to the arguments of some of the doyens of contemporary cultural commentary and contribute to the debate. Cowell. Hero or Villain?

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COMPETITION: 1x Pair of tickets to attend ‘X-Factor: singing in the name of quality?’ at the Royal College of Music at 19.00 on Thursday, 14th October.
To claim your tickets, send an email to vienna@run-riot.com with the correct answer in the ‘subject’ box. The winner will be randomly selected.
Q: The X Factor… The show primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines.  The BBC's rival talent show 'Strictly Come Dancing' initially beat The X Factor in viewing figures, although in recent years The X Factor has reversed this trend, and when the shows went head-to-head for the first time (when this was, I'm not sure), The X Factor attracted a larger audience share. It is the first format (along with Britain's Got Talent) in years to knock which television soap off the top?
A: 1) Coronation Street .2) Eastenders .3) Emmerdale .4) Hollyoaks