Camera phones are cool and all, but I'll still never understand the need to take terrible videos (with terrible audio) of live concerts while blocking the view of people around you. One musician has a new approach to stopping them from appearing at concerts.
Don't get me wrong: I have no problem with snapping a shot to share with friends. However, holding up your phone for song after song is a different issue. It often annoys other concertgoers and it often annoys the performers. Rock Musician Jack White is taking a stern approach to this by not only banning phones at his concerts, but forcing anyone who attends a show to lock their phone in a Yondr pouch, a special storage device that can only be unlocked either at the end of the show or in designated areas of the venue. And to appease those who want to share the experience on social media, White will be making photos available available on a designated website and Instagram account, where fans are encouraged to take and repost the images and videos. While I think camera phones are generally great, I'm glad to see a return toward enjoying experiences for what they are, particularly when anything the phone would document in that environment would be of terrible quality anyway.
Lead image by Eli Watson, used under Creative Commons.
[via DIY Photography]
Couldn't agree more. It might seem extreme today...but honestly, this is just necessary. I really appreciate concerts where cell phones are discouraged or not allowed at all. SO much nicer.
Don't agree. While I think it's in poor taste to record a concert at the expense of others around you...it's your right to do as you please with your phone. These artists benefit from the shared videos...hollow complainers if you ask me.
While I do agree that we have the right to do what we want with our own phones. I do believe they as the artist have the right to request certain things when coming to their concerts and you don't have to go if you disagree with their request. Also, I don't know if you have ever been to a concert before where the other concert goer is holding their phone in the air for several songs but it does disrupt your viewing experience. Much in the same way it disrupts us as photographers and videographers trying to capture a couple wedding day. As well as disrupting the wedding guest viewing experience. I will say on the other hand, safety concerns if in an emergency or if a family member needed to reach you...
The problem is a lot of people abuse that right, you know most concerts have no recording rules but people ignore it anyways so this is the only logical steps so people that are not recording could enjoy it as much as the people that can't help it.
I think we have a bit of a double standard here. Where do you draw the line as far as what kind of performance is acceptable for annoying cell phone users? Rock concerts are ok but opera is a Nono? What about comedy clubs? School play?
The fact of ownership of a phone, in my opinion, doesn’t make you immune to social norms that make an experience better for an audience as a whole. If people can’t be courteous on their own, I’m with the venue...lock em away.
LMAO...it's 2018, what social norms are you talking about?
Many of these "stars" owe their popularity to those vulgar people with SmartPhones. The horse is already out of the barn, they should choose another battle elsewhere.
You still haven’t answered. Where do you draw the line?
As to the “stars” owing their popularity to people with smartphones, by that rationale would you say that instagram users should have full reign to use photographers images as they choose as long as they give credit? You know, since they’re “spreading the word” about the artist?
I think you draw the line at if you impede the view of the person behind you with anything but your body, you get kicked out.
It’s an ugly way to do it but audience engagement can make a break an amazing performance.
Performers feed off their energy and if they ask for participation and all they get are more phones in the air... yup, you deserve a Yondr pouch.
I'm interested to see if it works, and how it works in practice. It's Jack White, not Kygo or Dua Lipa, and I think his audience will be more likely to appreciate this.
My only issue is that I'd like to be contactable during a concert. If this takes off will we see tabloid headlines like "I Had a Family Emergency During a Jack White Gig, and Couldn't Answer my Phone".
The only concern I would have is if an emergency arises, nobody will be able to contact whoever is it they may need to. But yeah, I hate seeing a sea of phone screens when I go out to shows.
I like the idea but most people, including myself, use phones in other ways during concerts. I usually need it to communicate with people at the concert or who are coming to the concert. I use the flashlight to find stuff my wife drops on the ground. I once had to write out my drink order on my phone because it was too loud to yell at the bartender.
I don't think this is going to stick.
Strange we survived 30 years ago... when we had to stay 2 hours under the concert with no phone in the pocket...
And we actually could go days without contact with family and friends...
You know... one time, I actually... I actually was in the Norwegian mountains for 3 weeks without ANY contact with others...
And sometimes, we actually was out, in a Bar or something.... and talked to each other... can you believe it, we talked to each other in a Bar...
Hey, I'm not trying to say that it's good... It's an addiction for sure.
30 years ago? The world has changed much. Terrorism, home grown and foreign, for instance. I want my phone. I want my kids to have their phones. I agree that we are addicted to them but it's a sign of the times. 30 years from now it will be different.
No things haven't changed that much. My brother went to a Led Zepplin concert where there was a shooting. No cell phones (or at least widely used) in the 70's. I was at a MLB game where fireworks malfunctioned and fell into the crowd before going off. No cell phones then. Yes cellphones make it easier but the times don't make them necessary. There were shootings in the past when cellphones didn't exist. Kent State, the clock tower in Texas, airline hijackings, Democratic Convention riots. I guess I'm showing my age but times aren't that different from before. Yes cellphones make it easier but they aren't required.
It will stick, you'll just avoid these shows that impose these restrictions. A lot more artist, comedy and music, are starting to get a grip on phones at live shows.
A phone isn't needed to rock n roll. Nuff' said.
Perfectly said.
It's not really novel, it's been used before, and if you take a look at this other article for another well known band, didn't do a thing to stop photos and videos from being tweeted in real time during the show http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/12/31/here-are-hundreds-of-photos-and-vid...
And while some will agree and some will disagree, the people the artist is punishing, i.e. are the fans- or more succinctly, the people who pay for the tickets, buy merchandise, buy albums, and really, pays the rent and living expenses for the artist. It may be annoying, but people are capturing an experience from the show, and they should be allowed that. Granted, some go overboard and start to ruin the concert experience for everyone around them, but that will happen regardless.
Do you really think the artist is punishing his fans by letting them have an uninterrupted experience of the actual event itself? I like concerts every now and then, I go see bands and I enjoy watching them perform. Now, I'm generally an easy going guy, but if people have their screens up in the air in my line of view for most of the concert, I want those people shot, drawn and quartered. A Yondr pouch is a better solution for everybody. Either that or metal detectors and lockers for one's phone.
You have to keep in mind that while the artist is doing this for the 'good' of their fans, and the musician's craft (true), they're telling fans what they think is best for them, and i personally, don't like people telling me what they think is in my best interest.
In the age where artist profits is a fraction of what it was just 10-20 years ago. it's biting the hand that feeds you- namely, the very people that pay your bills, your house or mansion, your kids' college education, your retirement fund. It's almost a catch-22 and yes, i agree, it sucks when people get out of control and have their phones out every 5 seconds.And i can tell you from experience, i've seen artists treat fans in some ways where i refuse to ever support or buy their music ever again. Not an easy slope to traverse.
I understand where you're coming from, but I don't think it's about the artist telling fans what's best for them. I think it's about the artist helping true fans to enjoy their performance.
There have been a couple of occasions where I told the person in front of me to please put down their phone, only to be told to F*ck off.
If a performer or venue bans phones from the concert, it means more people will enjoy their evening out. People like me who don't have to struggle to see an artist beyond a forest of phone screens and people who would otherwise film the event don't get harassed by people like me... Win-win, right?
Oh how I "love" it when I have to shoot concerts and we are placed on the front of house....
With all those arms up in the air, taking a video of a concert that they will never watch again. My first 3 songs just got more challenging.
This is happening with more and more comedians as well. Dave Chappelle being one of the first a few years ago, and many more starting to do it as well. It's an extremely expensive service the artist has to pay, but seen as profitable in the long run so that the material they are working out on tour doesn't get leaked before it's polished enough for a special.
I have 9 animals at home, a security system, and ill parents; all of which have interrupted meetings, classes, etc. on a hand full of occasions. My phone is much more than a phone to me, so the thought of an emergency situation has me really questioning this.
Horrible scenario here - but this is America, so here it is. If there was some sort of attack or shooting, and I was not able to access my phone to contact my wife, the rest of my party, the flashlight, or even record necessary information in time of an emergency, I would be furious. I wonder if this could legally backfire on the artist?
Let's see if it effects attendance numbers at his shows, that will be telling. I'm of mixed feelings on this. As I'm not one to hold my phone up constantly at a show (which I think is insanely ridiculous the audio will be stupidly horrid) I would maybe take a picture or two but constantly having my phone in the air at a show is just asinine to me. I too would want to be "reachable" in the event of an emergency.
Maynard kicked out 60 people for using their cellphones during the show. Happened a couple months ago.
Dave Chapelle did this at Red Rocks which houses 9,500 people.
Joe Rogan is starting to implement this in his bigger shows going forward.
I blame the scourge of social media. Insecure people who have this compulsion to tell the world about how important they are, that they were at an event, or that they have the latest [insert whatever]. I live for the day when Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are declared illegal worldwide. We don't need them.
Lock your phone in the Yondr bag when you're asked to, grab an ice cold beer, and enjoy the concert.
Chive on for two hours sans camera-phone.
It'll be just fine!
Banning phones so you're not texting or on Facebook, fine. Banning all cameras? Screw that. Taking photos and shooting video is how I enjoy concerts. If I'm not taking photos or shooting video, I'm either bored or just don't like the song I'm hearing. I shoot a lot of video at concerts and I've taken the step of buying a point and shoot camera that has a viewfinder so I'm not pissing people off with the LCD screen. When I'm recording, I'm completely silent and listening to the music because I want the cleanest audio I can get. I'm not chatting to people during quiet songs. I'm not yelling or screaming. I'm not randomly clapping with no rhythm. I'm paying attention to the performance and trying to make what I see on my camera look good. I've been recording video at concerts for about 11 years. I used to sneak a miniDV camcorder with multiple tapes into music festivals. Some of the moments I've been able to capture I'll be able to relive for decades to come. I sure can't say that for the concerts I attended before I started shooting.
I remember attending a Prince concert where phones and cameras were completely banned. It felt like being in a prison. Security was everywhere staring at the audience and every time an LCD screen lit up, a flashlight and a team of security marched over to scold them or confiscate their phone. That ruined the vibe.
This really does not bother me. The people who feel the need to video EVERYTHING have problems IMO. With that said, this will eventually turn into a money grab. Buyers can pay extra for phone free sections of the venue and given the Yondr system. OR you'll need to pay extra if you do want to have phone access.
As a photographer, I understand the urge to document what you're seeing. But it is so frustrating to pay a ton of money to see a show (and we all know how pricey concerts are these days), for a band you REALLY love, but you can't see anything because some d-bag has to hold up their phone in front of you and record the entire show on their phone. There is really something to be said for learning how to be in the moment!
I can understand this argument from both sides, however my take is that if phone photographers would show some respect and shoot a few here and there. There would be any issues. I used to shoot for magazines and had press credentials and that allowed me complete access. Now the musician is dictating the terms, I think this is bullshit. They need us as much as we need them, its how we make our living.
As for if the phones do a good job, if you are close enough and have the correct phone and app you can get excellent images. Again phone users need to show respect and that is what should be on the ticket. The ushers can then stop those that are recording the show above their head or standing up during the entire performance.
I was at the Chris Rock comedy tour in London yesterday and they locked our phones in pouches. The pouch had a name on it "YONDR"
https://www.overyondr.com/
Chris found one person on the front row using his camera and stopped the performance to kick that person out of the show.
Dave Chappelle is using the same device to lock your phone away. I did some research and found others like Jack White are doing the same thing. Some venues also announced a ban on phones like Comedy Works in Denver.
Not sure how I feel about my phone taken away but what I can say is it was nice not to see a sea of screens between me and the stage which I do find distracting.
At one point he was only allowing one film photographer at his shows.