In an age where concertgoers often watch their favorite artists through a phone screen, more and more artists are encouraging fans to put their phones away and just enjoy live music in the moment. To make this possible, some artists have introduced phone-free policies that require fans to put all of their devices away for the duration of the show. It’s a way to challenge the way people interact with music. The goal is to let fans feel the energy, the sound and the atmosphere in time.
One artist who is especially bringing attention to this trend is Phoebe Bridgers. She has made it clear that she wants people to experience her concerts without recording them. At one of her concerts in Denver, she explained to the crowd that banning phones from her concert allowed for a deeper connection with the audience, allowing her to “be more vulnerable with her fans without worrying that her stories and emotions would be plastered on the internet the next day.” At her phone-free shows, her attendees can still keep their devices with them, but must place them in a locked pouch during the performance. Without their phones, fans are able to be fully present, focusing on the music and the people around them rather than recording every song. Interestingly, some fans have found creative ways to remember their experiences without using their phones. At Bridgers’ performances, some concertgoers have drawn pictures of the show, capturing their favorite moments through art instead of a video. These drawings offer a personal reminder of the experience while allowing fans to remain more engaged with the performance itself. During her Madison Square Garden preview show, she told the crowd, "I love it. I appreciate you allowing this to be an internet-free zone."
However, recording a concert is not necessarily a bad thing. For many fans, seeing a favorite artist perform live is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It might be the only concert they ever attend! Taking pictures and videos allow them to revisit their favorite moments, share them with friends and family, and remember the excitement long after the show is over. Social media and recording also allow fans who could not attend to experience certain parts of the show from their own device. However, constant recording can also take away from the experience. Instead of just watching the artist perform, concertgoers may spend the entire time looking at their screens to make sure that they capture the perfect video. In turn, bright phone screens or flash can also distract other audience members, and can make it harder for others to enjoy the show.
Phone-free concerts try to offer an alternative by encouraging fans to experience the performance as it happens. Without the pressure to record every single song, concertgoers can pay closer attention to the music, sing along and connect with the others in the audience. Artists can also perform without worrying about every moment being immediately shared online.
Although some fans may dislike the idea of being unable to use their phones, the restrictions do not necessarily mean that they have to leave without a memory. Whether through drawings, notes, merchandise, or just simply remembering how one of the songs made them feel, there are many other ways to preserve and experience. As phone-free concerts become more widely discussed and popular, they challenge audiences to reconsider what they truly want from live music. While recording helps preserve memories, being present allows people to create those memories in the first place.
Ultimately, concerts are about more for people than just getting a good video for social media. It’s about hearing their favorite songs live, sharing a wonderful experience with thousands of people, and enjoying a moment that cannot be recreated. By putting away their phones, concertgoers may discover that the best way to remember a concert is to experience it firsthand. Sometimes, the memories that last the longest are the ones that people fully experience, rather than the ones saved in their camera rolls.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.