Grammys 2016: Adele faces audio issues during performance
Even the best singers can come up against sound problems -- just ask Adele.
The vocal powerhouse struggled through her performance at the Grammys as her audio malfunctioned while she was on stage. A CBS spokesperson confirmed there was a five-to-eight second technical issue with the broadcast and said it was out of the network's control.
Adele sang the song "All I Ask," co-written by Bruno Mars, with the simple accompaniment of a piano. But things went wrong very quickly as the sound cut out at the beginning of her performance. The audio flubs appeared to shake up the singer a bit, who looked confused at points during her performance.
The singer later explained on Twitter what the audio problem was: "The piano mics fell on to the piano strings, that's what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune." She also wrote that she would be treating herself to fast food chain In-N-Out after the fiasco.
Fans and musicians alike took to social media to wonder what happened during the singer's performance; most were quick to blame the sound engineer. Even a few celebrities, like Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Piers Morgan, weighed in. "Parks and Recreation" actor Ben Schwartz joked that the off-rhythm "left shark" of Super Bowl XLIX fame was behind Adele's song.
Is there a tambourine stuck in Adele's piano?!
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) February 16, 2016
Sound system seemed off & she missed a few of the big notes. Great singer, not a great night.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 16, 2016
https://t.co/AvJsbYH0i4
Left shark did the sound mix on that Adele song.
— Ben Schwartz (@rejectedjokes) February 16, 2016
Breaking: Adele is human. #GRAMMYs
— Michael Ausiello (@MichaelAusiello) February 16, 2016
Adele's pitch is consistently & historically flawless. FLAWLESS. That was 100% an audio issue & she was fighting hard from go. Hush, ya'll.
— Nichole Nordeman (@nicholenordeman) February 16, 2016
The guy who stepped on Adele's audio KNEW.
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) February 16, 2016
The Audio Engineer is alot like a football kicker. No one knows who you are. Make a mistake and the world comes after you. #Grammys #Adele
— Eugene Cho (@EugeneCho) February 16, 2016
With that kind of track record, you'd think Adele's sound guy was running for President.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) February 16, 2016
Shout out to @Adele for powering through the whack audio problems at the #GRAMMYs - We all know u own girl.
— Tritonal (@Tritonal) February 16, 2016
Was it me or was @Adele audio brutal?! #GRAMMYs
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) February 16, 2016
#GRAMMYs and @Adele pushes through like a champ despite audio issues
— Chris Jamison (@iamchrisjamison) February 16, 2016
I need there to not be audio issues during Adele. #GRAMMYs
— Kingsley (@kingsleyyy) February 16, 2016