LIP
SYNCING
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO LIP SYNC?
Lip syncing is when an artist mouths the words over a backing track instead of performing the song live. It is more commonly done by pop artists rather than bands because bands try to retain their 'organic' image as much as possible and prefer to showcase their talents in live perfomances. Programmes such as Top Of The Pops and other music shows such as M! Countdown or other awards based shows get the majority of their acts to lipsync.
For example this video of a Boys Republic peformance on ArirangTV shows very clearly the boys both singing over a backingtrack and lip syncing. This is because they have to dance as well as sing, which is why it is common for pop acts to lipsync when the have strenuous dance routines. The vocals themselves in this performance when they do sing sound strained due to the exertion of dancing which is why it is better for them to lipsync. However, there are several instances where bands such as Nirvana go against this and make a mockery of this on TV for example Nirvanas 1991 performance of Smells Like Teen Spirit on Top Of The Pops.
At this time Top Of The Pops had the policy that all artists had to sing over pre recorded instrumentals for their songs. Nirvana didnt like this as they valued the artistc integrity of their music. So, Kurt Cobain changed the lyrics to "Load up on drugs and kill your friends", pretends to play his guitar obviously enough to make it clear what is happening and sings the whole song in an imitation of Morissey while his band mates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic play their instruments wildly and not necessarily in time with the song. There are definitely instances when bands and artists should not sing, one of these being concerts.
It is expected at a perfomance that fans pay to go see the artist performs live. As a fan, you have payed and even travelled to see your favourite band play live and it would be not only a waste of money but a dissapointment to see otherwise. Otherwise it could end in a scabdal much like the Red Hot Chili Peppers "unplugged" performance at the superbowl which was featured on the american news following an open letter from Flea apologising and claming it was the NFL making them do it and that the vocals were in fact live. However sometimes it is better for bands to lipsync to avoid things going wrong, but transparancy and disclosure seems to be what changes the public's view on it.