🎤 Charli XCX Fires Back at Autotune Critics After Electrifying Glastonbury Set: “Yawn, Sorry Just Fell Asleep”
Glastonbury, UK — June 30, 2025 British pop provocateur Charli XCX has never been one to shy away from controversy—and her headlining performance at Glastonbury 2025 proved no exception. Amid a weekend of genre-spanning acts and viral moments, Charli’s high-octane set on the Other Stage ignited a firestorm of online debate over her use of autotune and unconventional stage setup. But in true Charli fashion, the singer clapped back with wit, confidence, and a healthy dose of sarcasm.
“Like the idea that singing with deliberate autotune makes you a fraud or that not having a traditional band suddenly means you must not be a ‘real artist’ is like, the most boring take ever. Yawn, sorry just fell asleep xx,” she tweeted the day after her set
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🎶 The Performance: Brat Energy Unleashed
Charli XCX, born Charlotte Aitchison, took the stage on Saturday, June 28, as part of her ongoing Brat Summer tour, named after her critically acclaimed sixth studio album Brat. Dressed in black leather shorts and a mesh crop top, she delivered a blistering set that included fan favorites like “365,” “Von Dutch,” “Party 4 U,” and “Speed Drive”
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The stage design was minimalist but bold, featuring a massive neon “BRAT” sign and a solo setup—no backing band, no elaborate choreography, just Charli and her mic. The performance was broadcast live on BBC One and streamed on iPlayer, drawing both praise and criticism from viewers at home
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💻 The Backlash: “Worst Performer” or Pop Visionary?
While many fans and critics lauded the performance as a daring and genre-defying spectacle, others took to social media to express their disapproval. Some accused Charli of relying too heavily on autotune, while others questioned her decision to perform without a live band.
“It’s official—Charli XCX is the worst performer I have ever seen at Glastonbury,” one viewer tweeted
. “You could have put a stripper on stage with a Spotify speaker and got the same results,” another wrote
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The criticism wasn’t limited to her vocal effects. Some detractors mocked her dancing, calling it “horrendous,” and claimed the set lacked authenticity.
🧠 Charli’s Response: “Divisive Art Is the Best Art”
Rather than retreating from the discourse, Charli leaned into it. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), she defended her artistic choices and challenged the notion that autotune diminishes musical credibility.
“To be honest… I enjoy the discourse. IMO the best art is divisive and confrontational and often evolves into truly interesting culture rather than being like kind of ok, easily understood and sort of forgettable,” she wrote
She also thanked professional critics for their glowing reviews, including a five-star rating from The Guardian, and ended her commentary with a cheeky jab:
“Really enjoying these boomer vibe comments on my Glastonbury performance. It’s super fascinating to me.”
🎧 Autotune as Aesthetic: A Generational Divide?
Charli’s use of autotune isn’t new—it’s a deliberate stylistic choice that aligns with her hyperpop and experimental pop roots. In past interviews, she’s described autotune as a tool that adds texture and emotion to her music, not a crutch to mask vocal flaws.
“I drink and I smoke and I use autotune—those three things,” she once joked on the Tape Notes podcast
Her defenders argue that autotune has become a legitimate artistic device, much like distortion in rock or reverb in ambient music. Critics, however, often see it as a symbol of inauthenticity—a debate that seems to reflect a broader generational divide in how music is consumed and appreciated.
🌟 Critical Acclaim vs. Online Outrage
Despite the online backlash, Charli’s Glastonbury set received high marks from professional reviewers. The Independent called it a “gyrating, floor-spitting party,” praising her stage presence and command of the crowd. Billboard noted that she drew one of the weekend’s biggest audiences on the Other Stage, sharing the spotlight with acts like The Prodigy and Loyle Carner.
“She is an absolute beast on stage,” wrote The Independent’s Adam White. “Solo on stage, she has incredible presence, smiling mischievously at the camera as it passes by. The enormous crowd is putty in her hands.”
💃 Viral Moments and Surprise Guests
The set wasn’t without its lighter moments. Charli brought out fellow artist Gracie Abrams to perform the viral “Apple Dance,” a nod to the choreography from her hit single “Apple.” The moment lit up social media and added a playful twist to an otherwise confrontational performance.
After the main show, Charli surprised fans with an intimate DJ set alongside her fiancé, George Daniel of The 1975, further cementing her reputation as a boundary-pushing performer who thrives on unpredictability.
🧩 The Bigger Picture: What This Says About Pop in 2025
Charli XCX’s Glastonbury moment is more than just a headline—it’s a snapshot of the evolving landscape of pop music. In an era where authenticity is constantly being redefined, her unapologetic embrace of autotune, minimalism, and digital aesthetics challenges traditional norms.
Her performance also underscores the tension between mainstream expectations and avant-garde experimentation. While some fans crave the polish and spectacle of a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift show, others are drawn to the raw, unfiltered energy that artists like Charli bring to the stage.
🎤 Final Thoughts: “Brat Summer” Is Here to Stay
As Charli wrapped up her set, she declared that Brat Summer is “a forever thing”—a fitting mantra for an artist who refuses to be boxed in. Whether you see her as a pop genius or a provocateur, one thing is clear: Charli XCX is doing things on her own terms.