Stryper’s Michael Sweet Shares His Thoughts on Backing Tracks in Live Performances
Michael Sweet of Stryper recently took to social media to voice his opinions on bands using backing tracks during live performances. This topic has been a point of contention for years, with some bands accused of using backing tracks to enhance their performances or even to avoid playing instruments or singing live. Sweet shared his thoughts on Facebook, discussing both the benefits and the potential issues associated with this practice.
Sweet highlighted that some bands use backing tracks to enhance their live shows, ensuring that they can recreate the complex sounds and arrangements from their studio recordings:
“Regardless, it seems to be quite the controversial topic these days but I think there’s a lot of miscommunication and confusion based on the subject. Some saying ‘if it’s not 100% live then you’re talentless and a joke.’ Really? Some bands have much bigger productions than other bands and I think it’s perfectly acceptable and respectable to use a few tracks here and there to make the same statement live as you did in the studio. As long as you’re performing live and using tracks sparingly, it’s totally fine.”
He also addressed the criticism towards bands that rely heavily on backing tracks or completely fake their performances:
“To the guys out there who disrespect any band for using tracks – some of your favorite bands do! And have done so for years. That doesn’t make them any less of a band. If they’re miming and faking it completely (often the term ‘Milli Vanilli’ is used) and or didn’t even play on the recordings and or can’t play the parts recorded, then I get the frustration. I just think it’s a dead horse that some people so often beat.”
Sweet has previously shared his views on the matter, emphasizing that using backing tracks is acceptable if done correctly. In a 2019 interview, he explained:
“I try to be open and honest, and I don’t want people thinking that we’re not using those if we are. I come from the school of, ‘It’s okay if it’s done right.’ In other words, if it’s there to enhance what’s already there, or if you’ve got some huge production… I’m okay with that. I’m okay when it’s done right and it’s limited, just to enhance certain things on certain songs.”
However, Sweet cautioned against over-reliance on backing tracks, which can lead to a less authentic live experience:
“But when you have bands that go out and literally it’s every song, and they’re up there and they’re not even singing the background vocals — because there are bands that do that. They’re up there mouthing it, and then you get into the mouthing of the lead vocals on every song, and you’re thinking, ‘Man, there has to be a line that’s drawn.’ You’ve got to be real cautious of that, or it’s not live — you’re not giving people a live experience.”
You can see Sweet’s recent post on his [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MichaelSweetStryper).
