Australian fans might be excited that Britney Spears is embarking on her first tour down under – but Australian officials are not happy about the singer using pre-recorded tracks during her “Circus” tour.
According to People, Virginia Judge, the Minister for Fair Trading for New South Wales has said she is considering various options to ensure that fans know what they’re getting when they go see Britney in concert.
“It is Britney’s ‘prerogative’ to lip-sync, and it is my job to make sure consumers know what they are paying for up front,” Judge said.
An idea that is being considered by Australian officials is a disclaimer on tickets and other promotional materials stating that certain portions of her concert will be pre-recorded.
“Personally I would rather see a live set from a local artist,” Judge added, “but I am sure Britney’s fans will be treated to a spectacular show.”
Despite the lip-synching uproar, many of Britney’s shows in Australia are already sold out. She kicks off her first night down under on Friday in Perth.
Britney Spears just arrived in Australia on Thursday, but already she's the subject of government scrutiny – over whether concertgoers realize she'll be lip-synching portions of her concerts.
Virginia Judge, the Minister for Fair Trading for New South Wales (the Australian state that includes Sydney), said she is considering options to make sure fans aren't misled when buying tickets to Britney's Circus tour concerts. Some seats are going for more than $1,300.
"It is Britney's 'prerogative' to lip-sync, and it is my job to make sure consumers know what they are paying for up front," Judge said in a statement released by the government.
One idea is to require disclaimers on promotional materials and tickets indicating that portions of a show will be pre-recorded.
It's no secret that many artists, including Spears, lip-sync at times during their elaborate stage shows. And this Australian initiative may not have much effect on interest in Spears tickets, given that many of the shows Down Under are already sold out.
"Personally I would rather see a live set from a local artist," Judge said, "but I am sure Britney's fans will be treated to a spectacular show."
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