More and more artists are banning cell phones from their shows. Does this make sense?

More and more artists are banning cell phones from their shows. Does this make sense?

Some recent concert posters have come with a bold sort of message: “This concert will be a cell phone-free experience. Cell phones will be kept away.” Yondr cases.” Well, the movement towards cell phone-free shows, which was once a “nudge” from artists, has evolved into an outright ban. The question is: does this make sense?

Jack White, Bob Dylan, Tool, e agora Ghost


Jack White was the pioneer in 2018 by banning cell phones at his concerts and, since then, many other artists embraced the idea. Bob Dylan implemented this on his tours, as did the Arctic Monkeys and Tool. Now, it was Ghost who announced a similar policy for their 2025 tour.


Artists want fans to enjoy the live show rather than focusing on recording it. The distraction of notifications, messages and the compulsion to record every moment often diminishes the concert experienceboth for the person and for those around them.


While the footage may seem appealing, the reality is that concert videos often fail to capture the magic of live music. Poor sound quality and blurred images make these recordings more likely to be forgotten.


Another advantage of cell phone-free concerts is the preservation of the surprise factor. When iconic moments or surprises during a performance are shared widely online, the magic can be lost. It's like avoiding spoilers for a movie!



But there is also a catch to the ban on cell phones...


Critics of the cell phone ban argue - rightly so - that concert fans They should have the freedom to enjoy the event however they prefer. Unlike school, where cell phone restrictions are intended to maintain discipline, concerts are optional, recreational experiences.


Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares captured this sentiment:




When we buy a ticket, we should be able to enjoy the show however we want, as long as we don't harm others or violate the venue's rules.




Another layer of this debate is the legal implications of recording concerts. Artists, as performers, have the exclusive right to authorize recordings of their performances, reproduction and public distribution. These rights, protected by intellectual property laws, give artists the authority to control whether your shows are recorded or shared.


For many artists, this is less about control and more about enhancing the concert experience by ensuring their music and art remain the central focus.




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Source: pplware.sapo.pt