Ed Sheeran has spoken out against lip-syncing in live music, calling the practice common but rarely acknowledged by professional artists. The Grammy-winning singer, currently on the European leg of his Mathematics Tour, opened up during a lighthearted segment on the Beta Squad YouTube channel, where he was asked to guess the voices of popular singers.
During the segment, one contestant admitted she might consider lip-syncing if her voice wasn’t in top shape. Sheeran responded, “I don’t know if a professional singer would admit to miming.” When another participant pointed out that many artists do mime on stage, Sheeran agreed but added, “They don’t admit to it though.”
Sheeran Says He Can’t Mime—Even If He Wanted To
When asked if he had ever lip-synced during a performance, Sheeran explained that it’s simply not possible with his setup. “I can’t get away with it because it’s me with a loop pedal and a guitar,” he said. “But I would never cancel a show for my voice. I’d always push through, even if it was slightly raspy.”
Known for his raw and minimalist live shows, Sheeran uses only his voice, guitar, and loop pedal to build complex arrangements live on stage—making lip-syncing virtually impossible.
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Honesty Sparks Industry Conversation
The “Shape of You” singer has long been admired for his authenticity, and his recent comments have reignited discussions about the integrity of live music. “There are professional singers that mime, but they would never admit that they mime,” he emphasized.
Sheeran continues his Mathematics Tour across Europe, with his next performance set for August 7 at Middenvijver Park in Antwerp, Belgium. The tour originally kicked off in 2022 and has drawn fans worldwide for its stripped-down, no-nonsense performances.
