Songstress Adele performed her dramatic ballad “All I Ask” amid audio issues at the Grammys on Monday night.
Early in the song, Adele’s mic briefly cut out and viewers watching at home noticed how the audio appeared to falter throughout her performance.
A CBS spokesperson confirmed to Billboard that there was a five- to eight-second technical issue with the broadcast, adding that it was outside the network’s control.
After the show, Adele took to Twitter to address the mishap, saying, “Shit happens,” and that she planned to treat herself to In-N-Out Burger.
The piano mics fell on to the piano strings, that’s what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune. Shit happens. X
— Adele (@Adele) February 16, 2016
Because of it though… I’m treating myself to an in n out. So maybe it was worth it.
— Adele (@Adele) February 16, 2016
When Adele took the stage during the Grammys, the chart-topping singer was backed by a pianist and illuminated by a beam light as she belted the notes of the emotional song in a red embellished gown. Bruno Mars, who co-wrote the song, introduced her to the stage.
Despite the technical issues (CBS also experienced broadcast issues with their live stream during the show), fans still praised the “Hello” singer for her highly anticipated performance — she returned to the Grammys stage for the first time since 2012 — and were quick to blame outside elements, such as Justin Bieber’s guitar and Adele’s sound team.
After the show, Recording Academy president Neil Portnow took full responsibility for Adele’s sound issues.
“From our standpoint, we just wanted to make it clear that that was an issue on our behalf,” Portnow said in the press room, according to Billboard.
“All I Ask” is a track off Adele’s third studio album, 25, which made a historic debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release on Nov. 20, 2015. “Hello” and “When We Were Young” are previous singles released from the album.
The 58th annual Grammy Awards, hosted by LL Cool J, took place at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
See some of the social-media reactions to Adele’s performance below.
Friendly reminder: even on a “bad performance” night, Adele is still better than just about everyone.
— Jessica (@jessie_rabbit) February 16, 2016
Someone at the audio department is getting fired tonight after that extra guitar sound during @Adele performance… #leaveittobieber
— Luis Barrera Jr. (@LuisBarreraJr) February 16, 2016
And they just showed us the sound booth where everyone is getting fired for that #Adele mishap… #GRAMMYs
— MATT STEELE (@ItsMattSteele) February 16, 2016
Why was Bieber warming up by playing to Adele’s live performance…… And why was his guitar not muted
— S K Y (@SkylerCFelix) February 16, 2016
And in other news a sound guy is about to be beheaded. Real life. Wow, way to go @Adele. Serious pro.
— BT (@BT) February 16, 2016
With that kind of track record, you’d think Adele’s sound guy was running for President.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) February 16, 2016
RIP to the sound guy that just messed up @Adele‘s performance #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/ayZ00oWmmj
— Colton (@ColtonBradford) February 16, 2016
Feb. 15, 8:20 p.m. Updated with CBS’ comment.
9 p.m. Updated with Adele’s tweet.
Feb. 16, 7:49 a.m. Updated with Neil Portnow’s press room comments.
