Eminem’s headline set at Reading Festival raised the ire of some fans in attendance, who accused the rapper of miming throughout his 90-minute set. However, festival organiser Melvin Benn has hit out at the claims, branding them “f***ing nonsense.”
Speaking to NME, Benn was asked whether there was any truth behind the fans’ claims that Eminem had opted for a recorded vocal track rather than performing live, to which he responded: “F*** off. I have never heard such f***ing nonsense in all my life. Absolutely no.
“I was onstage all of the time, and trust me, there was no miming.”
Eminem had refused to let the BBC broadcast and stream his sets at the festivals, the only performer at the three-day events to do so. No reason was given behind this decision.
Meanwhile, Eminem has announced a new album, with single “Berzerk” coming to radio on Aug. 27th.
The rapper played hit-heavy sets at the two festivals, bringing Dido onstage with him for ‘Stan’ and closing with a one-song encore of ‘Lose Yourself’.
Speaking of his backstage demands, Benn said that more than anything Eminem had requested privacy – “a greater gentleman in the industry you’ll struggle to find. He’s just delightful,” Benn said. “He wants his space, wants to be looked after, everyone wants a piece of him. and that’s difficult. So someone like Eminem, all they want is a little bit of space.”
The full setlist of Eminem’s Reading and Leeds slots is as follows:
‘Survival’
‘Won’t Back Down’
‘3am’
‘Square Dance’
‘Business’
‘Kill You’
‘White America’
‘Mosh’
‘No Love’
‘Don’t Give A Fuck’
‘Criminal’
‘Cleaning Out My Closet’
‘The Way I Am’
‘Fast Lane’
‘Lighters’
‘Airplanes’
‘Stan’
‘Sing for the Moment’
‘Toy Soldiers’
‘Forever’ (Eminem’s verse only)
”Till I Collapse’
‘Cinderella Man’
‘Love The Way You Lie’
‘My Name Is’ / ‘Real Slim Shady’ / ‘Without Me’ (Medley)
‘Not Afraid’
‘Lose Yourself’
Photo: Getty Images
