The renowned pop-rock band Mayday, hailing from Taiwan, has recently found itself at the center of a contentious debate over its live performance authenticity during their latest tour in Shanghai. Accusations of lip-syncing have sparked a significant uproar, leading to an investigation by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. The band, known for their compelling live performances, has vehemently denied these claims, describing them as “malicious attacks.”
The controversy began to unfold after Mayday’s concert on November 16 in Shanghai, where some attendees raised suspicions over the authenticity of lead singer Chen Hsin-hung’s (also known as Ashin) vocals. This incident quickly escalated, gaining traction on social media platforms, particularly on Weibo, where discussions about the band’s performance integrity surged to the top of the “most-searched” list. The band’s substantial following, consisting of 4.8 million fans, has been actively engaged in the conversation, contributing to the widespread attention the issue has garnered.
Amidst the growing debate, a video posted on Bilibili.com on November 30 further fueled the controversy. The uploader, known as “Maitian Nongfu” (farmer in a wheat field), used software to analyze the audio recordings from the concert. The analysis suggested that the vocal performance in five songs was exceedingly precise, raising questions about their live authenticity. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 1.8 million views and sparking a flurry of nearly 14,000 comments.
In response to these developments, a Weibo user named “Shenglixue” reported the incident to the China Consumers Association (CCA), the country’s largest consumer rights organization. The China Association of Performing Arts (CAPA) also weighed in, stating that they are closely monitoring the situation. CAPA, which has strict regulations against “fake-singing” or “fake-playing” to deceive audiences, highlighted the potential repercussions of such actions.
Under Chinese government regulations, deceptive practices in live performances, including fake singing, can attract fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 yuan ($7,000 to $14,000). This penalty, however, pales in comparison to the estimated billions of yuan in revenue generated from the live tour.
In an effort to address these allegations, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism confirmed that they are examining audio and video footage from the band’s concerts. They have committed to informing the public about their findings. Mayday’s management company, on behalf of the band, has cooperated with the authorities in this investigation.
Mayday’s Shanghai tour, comprising eight concerts with ticket prices ranging between 355 and 1855 yuan ($50-262), attracted a significant audience, with approximately 360,000 people attending. This high turnout underscores the band’s popularity and the potential impact of the ongoing controversy on their reputation.
In summary, the situation surrounding Mayday’s recent performances in Shanghai has sparked a significant discussion about performance ethics in the music industry. As the investigation continues, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the band and the broader music community, particularly regarding live performance authenticity and the consequences of potential deceptive practices.
READ MORE: