Ed Sheeran has been forced to take to Twitter to respond to critics of his headlining Glastonbury set after he was accused of playing backing tracks instead of fully live.
The chart-topper closed the festival on Sunday night with a performance which was met with polarised opinions. Many hailed it a success, however there were a few naysayers in the midst too.
One of the chief criticisms was his use of a loop station on stage. Commentators were confused when they heard either guitar tracks being played when the singer-songwriter didn’t appear to be playing anything, or heard several guitar tracks being played all at once. This led to assumptions that he wasn't playing live.
Sheeran had a bit of an exasperated tone as he tweeted: "Never thought I'd have to explain it, but everything I do in my live show is live, it's a loop station, not a backing track. Please google x"
Never thought I'd have to explain it, but everything I do in my live show is live, it's a loop station, not a backing track. Please google x
— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) June 26, 2017
However, the hitmaker quickly took to Twitter again with a more cheerful message, saying it was a "great night" with a "great atmosphere", adding "love you all".
Anyway, great night, great atmosphere, family, friends, fun. Love you all x
— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) June 26, 2017
Sheeran also posted the photo on Instagram that he snapped on stage during his final moments at the gig.
During his closing Glastonbury set, Twitter was inundated with accusations that Sheeran wasn't playing live.
Did Ed Sheeran really "play" Glastonbury last night? Sure he sang (pretty well) over a backing tape but did he "play" anything? Guitar? No.
— Phil Stephenson (@Philstips) June 26, 2017
Why bother with that guitar Ed? There is so much pre-recorded backing music as we can hear when he stops for a sec #EdSheeran "Ed Sheeran" pic.twitter.com/2MpO8hsLjb
— Tony Palmer (@squaremilenews) June 25, 2017
Is Ed Sheeran signing to a backing track??? Guitar music still playing as it lies on stage #glastonbury2017 he's scamming it!!!
— David (@WeeLowry) June 25, 2017
think it would have given a better atmosphere if Ed Sheeran had employed a band instead of a backing track? #glastonbury2017 #glastonbury
— sam bramwell (@bumfluffboo) June 25, 2017
#Glastonbury
— William Snootsworth (@Snootsworth) June 25, 2017
Basically it's Ed Sheeran singing to a backing track.
Couldn't he get real musicians?
I like him but all a bit karaoke.
A serious question: does Ed Sheeran have an invisible backing band or does he play to a backing track? #theguitarkeepsplayingwhenhestops
— Paul Douglas (@paulyd1107) June 25, 2017
Am I right to say, Ed Sheeran isn't actually playing that guitar and the sound is in the backing track ??? #Glastonbury #Glastonbury2017
— Swebb (@Stephen32126670) June 25, 2017
Other people were quick to defend the Castle on the Hill singer, saying it was a skilled use of a loop station that allowed him to play, record and playback guitar tracks in real time, allowing him to create several layers for each song he was performing.
If people understood a loop pedal Ed Sheeran would get more credit, everything you hear is done on that stage live
— GTHEB (@BruceRioch4) June 25, 2017
So many people complaining that Ed Sheeran is using a 'backing tape' clearly don't understand the concept of loop pedals
— nicola✖️ (@nixola_) June 25, 2017
I can't believe that there are still people in the world who think Ed Sheeran uses a backing track.
— Sami 🎭 (@LANYDreamer) June 25, 2017
EVERYTHING IS LIVE. EVERY SOUND IS HIM.
People are really out here thinking Ed Sheeran uses a backing track... HE LITERALLY CREATES THE ENTIRE SONG ON STAGE IT'S A LOOP PEDAL
— Noshin Chowdhury (@noshinxD) June 26, 2017
