Within Temptation vocalist Sharon den Adel has opened up about facing harsh criticism and technical challenges that affected her live performances. She shared her experience in an interview with Steve O’G.
The discussion centered around the pressures of modern live performance and how social media amplifies every moment on stage. When asked about the difficulty of performing in an era where every concert moment is captured and scrutinized, den Adel revealed her personal struggles with in-ear monitoring systems.
“I must say when I went off the wedges and into in ear monitors, that was a rough ride for me,” den Adel said. “Because I didn’t know how to. Well I didn’t get it right very quickly. So I had like one and a half year that I got really bad reviews from people. Like when we were playing on concert, they were saying like, ‘She can’t sing. She’s out of tune.'”
The singer explained how the technical issues created a cycle of performance anxiety that affected her confidence on stage.
“But I was constantly out of tune,” she continued. “So something was wrong also because otherwise you would be sometimes off tune but I was constantly off tune. So I couldn’t hear it. And finally, I got a different monitor engineer and he stayed with me since 2005 and I’m so happy that I have him.”
Den Adel credited her current monitor engineer with transforming her live sound. He helped her overcome the technical difficulties that had plagued her performances.
“But it got that worse that I even got scared to get on stage like having stage frights,” she revealed. “Like not wanting to go on stage at a certain point because I just couldn’t hear myself and I couldn’t make it known to my you know the team around me.”
Den Adel’s struggles with technical challenges contrast sharply with her established reputation as one of metal’s most accomplished vocalists. This highlights how equipment issues can affect even experienced performers.
Singing Carrots reported that den Adel possesses impressive breath control and tension-free delivery that have been key elements in her success. Her vocal technique allows her to deliver emotional performances both live and in the studio. Her approach demonstrates remarkable versatility across different musical styles.
The Range Planet documented that den Adel’s vocal style has evolved significantly over the years. She transitioned from a soft head voice to a more robust chest voice-based approach. This evolution demonstrates her adaptability and willingness to develop her craft throughout her career.
Vocal coaches and analysts have consistently praised den Adel’s dynamic range and ability to move seamlessly between different vocal styles. Vocal analysis videos showed that her technical proficiency has contributed significantly to her influence on rock and metal music. This makes her one of the genre’s most respected female vocalists.
The interview highlights how even accomplished performers can face periods of technical difficulty that impact their confidence and stage presence. Den Adel’s openness about these challenges provides insight into the often-overlooked technical aspects that can significantly affect live vocal performances. This remains true regardless of a singer’s established skill level.
