The poverty and degradation of live music today is clear for all to see. Lip-syncing and other forms of fakery have spread like a cancer throughout Greater China and Asia, driving a schism between us and the rest of the world.

　　We’ve become obsessed with pop stars’ images, at the expense of real and meaningful music. We tolerate lip-syncing, backup tracks, and singers who hire others to sing their songs for them. The dishonesty and commercialization of music have made it a breeding ground for mediocrity. This state of affairs, where fans aren’t even aware of the poor quality of the musicianship they’re buying into, is unfair and unacceptable. It’s a scam.

　　The greatest damage comes from the fact that dishonesty like this breaks the very rules of live performance, and sets up instead its own clandestine rules, rules that align music entirely with the interests of big media. Lip-syncing is like “the emperor’s new clothes”: everyone sees the truth, but no one says anything. That silence is our shame.

　　The movement for Live Vocals needs our faith and our hearts to support it; we must use our own momentum to push for change. If we continue to turn a blind eye to lip-syncing and dishonesty in the music industry, then all of our claims to love music and respect artistic integrity will ring hollow.

　　We have a right to live vocals, and this movement is just the first step towards realizing that right. It isn’t a public service, neither is it a declaration of war; it is a pure and simple act of self-defense. Live Vocals isn’t just a question of economic rights, it is the realization of our basic human rights. We call for laws to be passed giving conscientious and skilled artists greater fairness and opportunities in this industry.

　　No matter how you look at it, the movement for Live Vocals should be everyone’s movement, because humankind’s first instrument is its voice. Yet technology and commerce are conspiring to strangle humanity’s most precious gift. Our hope is that, in the future, all artists across the world will view lip-syncing as a shameful act. Only real performances can touch the audience and make them feel.

　　Signing this manifesto isn’t for us, it’s for you. If you truly love music and agree with our philosophy, please write down your name, profession, and nationality. Let us know where you stand. We hope that every person who signs this, every manager, producer, director, and singer, refuses to engage in these kinds of false practices or support those who do, and upholds their moral responsibility in both word and deed.

　　We hope for the support and supervision of both the media and the public.