[pclmulqdq]

I will offer you another thought along that last paragraph: Pitch correction and post-processing is a productivity aid for musicians, so Dua Lipa doesn't actually need to ever be able to give a good performance of one of her songs for the recording to come out perfect. Most artists are great singers/players, but it's a waste for them to spend time practicing songs when they just need to be good enough to correct. Cyndi Lauper had to be able to sing her songs at record quality, but Dua Lipa never did, so the quality gap between a live performance and the (perfect) recording will be a lot bigger naturally for the more modern artist.

Also, the dancing that happens at modern pop concerts is so difficult and lively that nobody would be able to sing well, much less at full power, while doing it.

[implements]

As a fan I’m driven to say Dua’s been credited with “Most Improved Artist” having taken to heart the infamous criticism of her BRIT Awards performance of “New Rules”: “I love her lack of energy, go girl give us nothing!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHtnxluMXMw

(Not a post I’d ever expected to make on HNs)

[pclmulqdq]

Don't get me wrong - every pop artist is an incredibly good musician and most of them are capable of putting on a Cyndi Lauper level of vocal performance. My comment was mostly about how many reps they need to put in before going into the studio to record.