Ed Sheeran has called out fellow musicians who cancel shows and rely on miming during live performances, emphasizing his commitment to authentic, live music.
The Grammy-winning singer made the comments in a recent YouTube video with the popular content creators Beta Squad, where he participated in a challenge to spot the real professional singer among a group of six.
During the video, Sheeran shared his candid thoughts on the state of live performances in the industry. Referring to artists who use pre-recorded vocals, the “Shape of You” hitmaker remarked, “I don’t know if a professional singer would admit to miming.”
When one of the Beta Squad members pointed out that many professional singers seem to mime during performances, Sheeran responded, “They don’t admit to it though. I can’t get away with it because it’s just me, a loop pedal, and a guitar.”
The “Perfect” singer doubled down on his commitment to performing live, saying, “I would never cancel a show for my voice. I’d always push through, even if it was slightly raspy.” He emphasized that while some artists choose to mime, they rarely acknowledge it publicly.
In the same video, Sheeran subtly criticized the growing trend of overly produced shows, suggesting that true musicianship lies in the ability to perform live under any circumstance. His remarks have sparked conversation among fans about the authenticity of modern pop performances.
In addition to his outspoken views, Sheeran also teased new music this week, offering fans a preview of his next project. The teaser features actor Rupert Grint reprising his role as an eccentric stalker in what Sheeran described as an “utterly bonkers” music video.
As Sheeran continues to promote honesty and raw talent in the music industry, fans can expect more heartfelt performances and unfiltered insights from one of pop music’s most genuine voices.