Brit-Syncing Draws Furor

A negative newspaper review of Britney Spears’ first Australian concert that focused on her lip-synching has turned into a national issue.

Tour promoter Paul Dainty slammed media claims of fans angrily exiting the show as “an absolute fabrication,” while officials at Burswood Dome said it received no complaints.

Nevertheless, consumer affairs ministers in the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia went public about bringing in regulations where concert tickets will have to specify if the artist is miming.

New South Wales’ Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said, “Let’s be clear – live means live. If you are spending up to $200, I think you deserve better than a film clip.”

The Musician Union’s national secretary Terry Noone supported such moves. Queensland said it would bring in regulations if fans complained after her three shows there.

Rival promoter Andrew McManus said he had also bidded for the Spears tour but pulled out when he realized she wouldn’t be singing live.

“I was surprised once the public realised she did not sing one note that they actually were gullible enough to still hand over their hard-earned,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nando’s Chicken rushed out a spoof radio ad in which Spears endorsed their product – without saying a word.