GLASTONBURY fans have blasted Dua Lipa’s Friday night headline set after sound issues struck the thrilling performance.
The One Kiss singer headlined the first night of the iconic festival, performing on the Pyramid Stage to a huge crowd.
The anthemic performance featured multiple costume changes, a guest appearance by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, and slick dance moves.
But fans watching through the BBC’s iPlayer found the audio cut out at several points, was muffled at others, and was generally flat.
Frustrated fans took to social media to complain the 28-year-old artist was being let down during one of the biggest performances of her life.
One said: “The sound on the BBC stream of #Glastonbury is… weird. This Dua set just sounds flat.”
Another posted: “Dua Lipa – either she’s miming or they’ve got the sound mix horribly wrong. It just sounds off.”
While a third wrote: “Can someone please turn Dua Lipa’s mic up? Can hardly hear her! Every year the sound is terrible!”
Dua performed hits like Be the One, Hallucinate, New Rules and Tame Impala’s The Less I Know the Better with Kevin Parker.
Introducing Parker, Dua said: “This is a person who I admire and who I asked to work with on my album Radical Optimism. Tonight I get to pretend to be in Tame Impala…. please welcome Kevin Parker.”
Dua said she had dreamed about headlining Glastonbury Festival “her whole life”.
She said: “I can’t believe this, I’ve dreamed about this my whole life. And I can’t believe I’m right up here, right here, with you guys, I am so happy to be here with you guys tonight.”
Others accused Dua of miming during the set that began with Training Season.
One person said: “”What a shame #Glastonbury has a headline act on that’s obviously miming her vocals.”
But fans came to her defence, saying: “No Dua Lipa is not miming. Majority of the main vocal parts are quite clearly live. She’s smashing it and everyone on stage look like they’re having the time of their lives.”
The Brit-Albanian released her third album Radical Optimism earlier this year and won Best Pop Act at the Brits.
She revealed in the lead up to her set what her secret to nailing her choreo-heavy performance was.
She told podcast Dish From Waitrose: “I haven’t done a proper tour show for a year so I’ve got to get my stamina back up before I go into festivals.”
This involves “running, dancing, singing, all at the same time, to make sure I can hack it once the adrenaline hits as well”, the singer explained.
“It’s like rehearsals, no drinking, working out, just back-to-back preparing for all the shows to come.”
Glastonbury is set to see Coldplay headline the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night, with Little Simz before them.
Other acts set to perform today include Camila Cabello, Peggy Gou, and Disclosure.
Tomorrow will see SZA close out the festival, with the American performing after Shania Twain and Burna Boy.
Hugh British band Kasabian will also return to Worthy Farm this weekend with a hit-packed set led by frontman Serge Pizzorno.
Insiders confirmed that they are booked to play Woodsies at 6pm on Saturday.
A source said: “Glastonbury is always a big deal but this year Kasabian really can’t wait, especially as it’s a decade since they were last there.”
By Ellie Henman
Dua Lipa was holed up rehearsing for her Glastonbury set at a space in Birmingham when a TikToker tried to break in.
The Levitating singer was working through her routines with her team of dancers when the person walked on to the site then tried to stroll into the rehearsal space while filming.
A source said: “Dua has been working so hard for the past few days to perfect her set for Glastonbury. Her team saw off this person when they arrived on site on Friday.
“They made a total prat of themselves by trying to film and it was all rather embarrassing.
“Some of Dua’s team spoke to them and asked them to clear off. She was inside so luckily missed all the hullabaloo. Nothing is going to knock her off course this weekend. Dua can’t wait to show Glastonbury what she has been working on.”
The superstar’s Glasto set kicked off what is lining up to be an incredible weekend of live music from headliners Coldplay, SZA and legends act Shania Twain.
Dua’s set has been a long time in the planning.
We first revealed in October how she was being fought over by Glasto boss Emily Eavis and US Coachella chiefs.
Emily won, with sources close to Dua telling how she wanted to perform on home soil for her devoted fans.
