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Glastonbury 2024: Fake Vocals and Backing Tracks Under Fire as Fans Express Disappointment

Dua Lipa

 Glastonbury has found itself in the midst of a lip-syncing controversy this weekend, with accusations that performers, including Dua Lipa, were not singing live.

Artists such as Camila Cabello and Coldplay's Chris Martin have come under fire from fans alleging that their stage performances were mimed at the renowned festival.

A flood of music enthusiasts voiced their concerns on social media, with comments like: 'Does anyone actually sing live at festivals anymore? It seems like it's all miming.'

The BBC, broadcasting the event, has faced numerous complaints about sound quality issues.

However, music experts have suggested that these problems may stem from the use of backing tracks.

In a related incident earlier this month, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Taylor Swift had a dispute over allegations that Swift wasn't performing live, which she promptly denied.

Taylor Swift

'We like to call our tour the Errors Tour,' said Grohl on stage. 

'We've had more than a few eras, and more than a few f***ing errors as well. That's because we actually play live.' 

Read more: Taylor Swift – In a bikini With Travis Kelce seen at a beach getaway together 

The following evening, Swift emphatically thanked her band, who played live for three and a half hours. 

Performing for 90,000 fans at Wembley, like Swift, or 200,000 at Glastonbury's Worthy Farm, demands extensive sound engineering.

Becky Pell, a sound engineer touring with Take That from Oxfordshire, informed The Sunday Times that most pop artists perform live. 

However, she noted that having the 16 musicians featured on a recorded track perform live on stage was impractical.

Another sound engineer who has toured with Blondie, claimed to achieve the same effect, stars use extra guitarists or an orchestra on a backing track to 'thicken the sound out' - helping to replicate the recorded version of the song.

Read more: Dua Lipa and Callum Turner Arrives at Zero Bond in New York 

Vocals can be added as well, but they would complement rather than replace live singing. In studio recordings, artists may sing multiple parts or layer their voices, which is not possible in live performances. 

Dua Lipa's nearly two-hour headline show at Glastonbury featured intense dance routines and constant movement across the stage. 

It's speculated that she may have pre-recorded certain parts to bolster her live vocals during the more challenging songs.


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