Recently, the blogger "Wheatfield Farmer" released a number of identification videos, saying that many tracks at the Mayday Shanghai concert, including "Cheers", "Love ING" and "Contentment", had lip-syncing, which caused a huge public outcry. After Mayday issued a denial statement, topics such as how to identify lip-syncing, what are the standards for defining lip-synching, and the industry's attitude towards lip-synching have continued to arouse heated discussions. On December 5, music critic Guo Zhikai said in an interview with a reporter from Yangzi Evening News/Ziniu News that no matter what the outcome, singers should abide by professional ethics. Don't let your personality collapse because of money.
The industry has certain technical means,
but most artists dare not lip-sync.
Reporter: Do you think based on the current video data, can we judge whether it is lip-syncing?
Guo Zhikai: The identification method of "Wheatfield Farmer" is to extract the vocals from the live concert audio and import it into the software, and compare the vocals with the recorded version of the corresponding song in Mayday - the mechanism of this comparison method is clear at a glance, because it is based on common sense. To be honest, it is impossible for the live version of the vocals to completely match the recorded version. They spent a lot of time using professional instruments to screen it, and it turned out to be true that it was lip-syncing.
When faced with lip-syncing, we might as well admit it openly. What does it matter if we admit our mistakes? What is true cannot be false, and what is false cannot be true. When the fans take out all the data, every song will be restored for you. Don't treat the fans like fools, and invite everyone to watch the next show. Whether we really sing or not is completely different. There is really no need to lip-sync, and fans can understand if the tune is out of tune in the middle. This is the charm of the scene. Reporter
: How does the industry define lip-synching? What do you think of the semi-open mic and under-singing discussed by netizens?
Guo Zhikai: In fact, when doing concerts, sometimes artists are unable to hit the high notes. They will use technical means to record a version in the recording studio and restore it one to one, just like recording a record, and even do post-production compression. Mixing it up is just for safety reasons, for fear that something might happen to the artist. For example, it is used in the treble and harmony parts of rock performances, and the audio is placed in the background to play a supporting role.
The industry has a certain tolerance for half-open mics and harmonies. For example, 70% or 80% of the actual singing is enough. If there is pad sound in half of a song, the professional audience at the scene can hear it, but they will often turn a blind eye.
But artists must have self-discipline. To be honest, most artists don't dare to lip-sync. Big-name singers will use their own sound engineers, so there is no problem with lip-syncing. Otherwise, they themselves will not be happy singing. Those who choose to lip-sync are often artists who lack singing skills. For example, in some platter concerts, some performers who are not professional singers will choose to lip-sync to create a perfect effect for fear of affecting the effect.
The result is no longer important,
but the discussion helps the healthy development of the market
Reporter: There are very few cases of lip-syncing being dealt with. Is it because it is difficult to detect lip-synching?
Guo Zhikai: It is true that the cost of rights protection is relatively high. How many people can take the time to compare the live version and the recorded version one by one like the "Wheat Farmer"? Concerts are commercial performances. Fans buy tickets to see them. Even if the tickets are not cheap, they should be responsible for the audience who bought the tickets. Like Andy Lau and Joker Xue's previous concerts where ticket refunds occurred, they both apologized to fans and took care of the aftermath so that fans could accept it. Only artists who truly present themselves will be welcomed by fans.
Recently, many artists are holding concerts, and some are holding many concerts. The arrangements are very particular. For example, Jacky Cheung will arrange three days of rest on the weekend, from Monday to Thursday, to give his body a buffer. From my experience of doing concerts, artists like Alan Tam and Wang Jie will fully exercise before holding a concert and do preliminary work to ensure the best effect of the concert. Follow your own rhythm. Mature artists don't need to lip-sync. They use a "military training" rhythm, which is ugly and makes fans angry.
From December 23, 2022 to October 2023, Mayday has scheduled a total of nearly 60 concerts, including 9 performances in Chengdu, which is obviously overloaded. Based on the calculation of 30 songs per performance, with such intensity, the voice will basically lose its voice the next day.Some people say that there are 20 concerts in Hung Hom, Hong Kong. In fact, they usually invite guest performers, and some songs are performed more leisurely within two hours. Fans who haven't heard enough come back the next day.
Reporter: If it is considered lip-synching, what impact will it have on the singer?
Guo Zhikai: At present, everyone is waiting for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to come out with the appraisal results, and they are all very angry, but in fact, the result is no longer important. If it is found to be lip-syncing, Mayday is making a joke about his career future. There is a question mark over whether Tiantian will have the opportunity to hold a concert in mainland China next May. If it is lip-syncing, you will definitely be punished, otherwise lip-synching will get worse in the future. Fans still need to protect their rights through legal means, and there are many things that will follow. But no matter what, this is a good thing for the healthy development of the market. Singers should abide by their own professional ethics. Don't let your personality collapse because of money.
The definition of "lip-syncing" needs to be issued urgently
At present, everyone is waiting for the official identification results. At present, the Law Enforcement Corps of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism has required the organizer to cooperate with the investigation in accordance with the regulations on commercial performance management. After the relevant situation is verified in accordance with the law, netizens will be responded to in a timely manner. Concerned.
Li Shiqiang, a lawyer from Beijing Haiqin Law Firm, told reporters that the "Notice of the Ministry of Culture on Establishing a Long-term Mechanism to Prevent and Investigate Lip-synching and False Performances to Maintain the Healthy Development of the Performance Market" also mentioned that the county-level cultural administrative departments and law enforcement agencies where the performances are located Institutions should strengthen key monitoring of live performance activities such as stage performances, celebration performances, and recording performances outside the studio of TV cultural programs that are prone to lip-synching and false playing, and check the sound source used for the performance and the names of the person in charge and operator of the on-site sound As well as the recording and implementation of responsibilities during singing and playing. Effectively use technical means to prevent and verify lip-synching and fake playing. For performance activities where lip-synching or fake playing may occur, on-site records such as full video recording, audio monitoring, and recording must be done. Staff of cultural administrative departments or law enforcement agencies shall supervise live performance activities with law enforcement certificates. Performance organizers and performance venues shall actively cooperate and set up special seats for cultural administrative law enforcement personnel in audience venues and sound consoles.
According to the "Implementation Rules of the Commercial Performance Management Regulations", lip-synching refers to the behavior of actors using pre-recorded songs and music instead of live singing during the performance. The judgment of lip-syncing will be based on the judgment of the comprehensive law enforcement agency of the cultural market. Many people are also looking forward to hoping that this "lip-syncing controversy" will attract the attention of relevant departments and issue more detailed definition standards for "lip-syncing" as soon as possible.
