Should Concerts Be Phone-Free?
Hi everyone! Today I wanted to try and start a conversation about one of the most polarizing issues across concert-goers- Should attendees be banned from using their phones and other electronic devices?
This is a topic I've seen being widely debated for a while now, but the interest in the topic has really peaked lately. And that's not for no reason, it's all because of Phoebe Bridgers' latest headlining tour- where fans have been forced to lock all of their devices in a secure pouch from the moment they step into the arena. There's a lot of talk about whether artists should really be able to enforce such a rule. I'm gonna break down both sides of this argument by looking at both perspectives separately.
The Benefits
Picture this, hundreds of people made the commitment to gather together for only one reason- just to see you perform and support you. The day finally comes, and all you want is to see how your work has touched all of these people. You want to see the smiles, the sadness, the anger, the tears, and surprise on their faces as you make your way through the set. But then the day comes, and all you see is a sea of phones and cameras, and it only reinforces that some of these people see you as a product- just another piece of media to consume.
Maybe that example's a little extreme, but I can't help but see the human in artists when everyone is taking pictures and taping them like a zoo animal. And it's not just that- performances are art themselves. Most artists strive to create an experience that no one in that room will forget. While documenting it on your phone may be a good way to keep that memory alive, most people who record the entire set would agree that the performance starts to blur from the moment they set foot outside the venue. A lack of phones creates a real, human connection between the artist and the crowd. That kind of show is very intimate and is bound to stick in your memory, which defeats the purpose of needing to record every moment.
But that's just how the artists see it- what about the fans? Sure, being forced to be without your phone may be annoying, but it might actually be a good chance to fully immerse yourself in a performance without the urge to whip out a camera. Everyone who's been to a concert has experienced the moment when an artist plays a popular song, and suddenly it's kill or be killed. Hundreds of phones immediately fill the air, and if you don't follow along and watch through your screen, you likely won't have a chance to see the performance at all. By restricting phone use, everyone has a chance to enjoy every single song in the same manner.
As we can see, there are quite a few pros to limiting phone use at concerts- for both fans and the artist. But what about the cons..?
The Downsides
Even if restricting phones has its perks, people ultimately like to have choices. The main problem people have with restricting phones is that fans are still paying customers, and with rising concert ticket prices, people feel more entitled to have the experience they want. Fan entitlement has been a genuine issue at a lot of concerts I've been to in past years- for example, people who show up last minute and then believe they have the right to shove their way to the front of the crowd. Unlike that situation, though, our phones and cameras are our own personal property that we ARE entitled to using in almost every scenario in life. We paid for the tickets, so we should be able to enjoy the experience however we see fit. Is it really the artist's place to dictate how we want to experience an event that we are paying to be at?
This also creates a unique situation of want vs. need. Most would argue that we don't need to have our phones with us at all times, but some people genuinely do. For example, some need to track their blood sugar and do so using their phone. What about minors who could get separated from their parents and are left in a huge venue all alone? Generally speaking, our phones are our lifeline in almost all emergency situations. And in an era where acts of public violence are becoming more and more common, it's really important to have an immediate point of contact available.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, this is actually a pretty nuanced conversation, and I'm not sure if there's a right or wrong answer here. I genuinely see both sides of this argument. Some have said that after attending the first few shows of Phoebe Bridgers' Lost Tour, not having their phone during the show was a lot more refreshing than they expected. But that doesn't address any of the safety concerns people have raised. I do think there might be some kind of compromise for this issue. Maybe those who need their phone for medical reasons are allowed to have a pouch with a window so they can at least view the screen. This way, people can't record or take photos, but can still use their phone if needed.
Generally, I think that phone-free concerts could be a good thing for fans and create a better overall experience for everyone. But I don't think this is true for all shows. Some shows are less about immersion and more about the performance itself. Think of something like a Sabrina Carpenter show, where a lot of the appeal comes from the stage, props, and choreography. So should this be a universal change? Absolutely not. But I think if they can address some of the safety concerns, then some artists could really benefit from having a device-free concert.
I hope you enjoyed cracking open this can of worms with me, and I hope that it got you thinking about where you stand on this issue. As always, thanks for reading, and I hope to see you again next time!
Earworm ~-~-~o ♪
Thanks for reading!
-Joey :)
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