Phones at gig's/concerts/festivals

GibbosEmpire

GibbosEmpire

Well-known member
Drives me up the wall, am I being old and grumpy? I've been to a few gigs and events in the last few years, and all I see in front of me is people recording the shows, I really don't get it, thousands of people videoing the same thing, it absolutely kills the atmosphere, and it must be difficult for artists to create any kind of vibe when all you see is phones staring back at you.

Maybe the organisers can arrange a recording of said show and send it to everyone that went, and just say no videos or photos of the show and we'll send you any footage you want.
 
I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea but I watched the Oasis knebworth documentary and Noel spoke about how it was probably the last big gig before camera phones and you can just see the enjoyment and awe in people’s faces as they are just watching the group!!!!

Although as most gigs from my youth seem to have passed me by in a drunken haze part of me wishes I’d have had the ability to record it.

Unfortunately it’s the way of the world now, but I seem to think somebody did ask everyone to leave their phones rather than allowing them in gig but I can’t think who it was.

Ps I do watch some footage on YT that people have taken with their phone so I’m part of the problem I suppose!!!
 
It’s everywhere now. Out walking my dog earlier I noticed two people walking their dogs with their face stuck to the phone. What is the point? Surely walking the dog is about to walking the dog. A time to reflect, think about stuff while keeping the focus on the dog.
 
 I think if their friends asked how as the gig, how would they know if they spent most of the gig recording it or taking photos?
 
Yeah, does my head in too.

You see it watching the footy all the time too. A team scores and some people want to record the celebrations. Not even celebrating the goal!!

What’s the bloody point.
 
I remember being in an art gallery, it might have been the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

One of their main exhibits is the Kiss by Klimt. In the next room, some wag of an artist had set up a CCTV image of people looking at The Kiss. Almost everyone was lifting up their phones trying to take a picture of it; next to no one was actually looking at it.

On one level I think i's just trying to make the moment last; having something that will last beyond the experience itself. But preserving the moment shouldn't come at the expense of letting the moment happen.

However, it's also the product of social media. If it's not on social media, it didn't happen, and if you didn't post a video, you weren't there.
 
Happens more and more. We were at the Globe for Weller and as soon as That’s Entertainment started the phones were up.

Not even just the younger members these days. Plenty in their 50s and 60s going it.

Don’t get it myself. You lose the moment of enjoyment trying to focus the phone. You end up watching it on a small screen.

I often wonder if people even watch it back after maybe one viewing. The footage and sound on a phone can’t do it justice.
 
Frozen Horse said:
I remember being in an art gallery, it might have been the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

One of their main exhibits is the Kiss by Klimt. In the next room, some wag of an artist had set up a CCTV image of people looking at The Kiss. Almost everyone was lifting up their phones trying to take a picture of it; next to no one was actually looking at it.

On one level I think i's just trying to make the moment last; having something that will last beyond the experience itself. But preserving the moment shouldn't come at the expense of letting the moment happen.

However, it's also the product of social media. If it's not on social media, it didn't happen, and if you didn't post a video, you weren't there.
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With a piece of art, if you want a picture of it just Google image it. If you go to see it, see it.
 
I remember years ago I went to see Kae Tempest at Brighton Dome, and they said before the gig can everyone please not use your phones and just enjoy the experience, and it was one of the best atmospheres ever. One particular song right at the end they asked everyone to be silent, you could hear a pin drop in a room full of 2,000 people, and there was literally people around me crying around me at the song, I don't think you would get half of that experience if phones were out, those memories are so much more memorable than a 1 minute video on your phone that's such **** quality and you'll only watch once and delete.
 
Worse than that is people "whooping" when they recognise a song with extra dikkhead points if the song is particularly sad or mournful. A special shout out to the vacuum skulls at a Jason Isbell gig who whooped and hollered to the intro to "Elephant" (a song about visiting someone dying of cancer). I mean...

FFS why would you?
 
Muttley said:
Worse than that is people "whooping" when they recognise a song with extra dikkhead points if the song is particularly sad or mournful. A special shout out to the vacuum skulls at a Jason Isbell gig who whooped and hollered to the intro to "Elephant" (a song about visiting someone dying of cancer). I mean...

FFS why would you?
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Goes along with people calling for "Free Bird" at a Lynyrd Skynyrd gig, given that it is always the encore.
 
I can't understand people watching their phones whilst recording instead of watching the actual concert. It is also really distracting when all you can see in front of you is a see of bright phone screens.
Having said that I sometimes record some songs but only if I have an unobstructed view and can steady my phone arm and watch the concert instead of my phone. I'll only do it if I'm not going to block anyone else's view.
 
Muttley said:
Worse than that is people "whooping" when they recognise a song with extra dikkhead points if the song is particularly sad or mournful. A special shout out to the vacuum skulls at a Jason Isbell gig who whooped and hollered to the intro to "Elephant" (a song about visiting someone dying of cancer). I mean...

FFS why would you?
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They had better not do that when I see him at The Globe in November. 😡
 
I recently saw Pete Wylie & The Mighty Wah! at Leeds and he said some artists ask you not to use phones at certain times or at all but he said use as much as you want and get the photos and footage out there.
Also people shouting out for certain songs he said "You can't heckle me with my own songs " 🤣
 
When phone cameras first were a thing I may have been guilty of recording the odd clip or two - sorry! But then I realised what I was missing in even those brief moments when I wasn't "there and in the moment". Im make a point now of switching my phone off completely when at a gig and yes....I do get more than voally peeved off when my view is partially obstructed or interferred with by somebody holding up a phone. I am no longer the 20-30 year old I used to be enjoying the experience and revert back to the grumpy, grey haried, fat, balding 55 year old I actually am.
 
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