Concert Cell Phone Ban

[luvsJack]

Well, I think the self-absorbed ones are those that feel they are so important they can't go without cell phone access for 2 hours. Follow the rules, or stay home...it's not complicated. Do people keep the their phones on and text during movies too? Or live theatre? In case there is an emergency that needs them? lol.

My phone is always on but silenced in a theater or some where similar. I don’t text during anything but do have the phone on so I can quickly check it if I need to. Got in that habit during the last few years of my Mom’s life and after we lost a family member in an accident. Emergencies do happen that require immediate action.

Yes I went for years without a phone and could not be reached in situations like that but thank goodness that’s not the case anymore.

 

[aprilgail]

There were concerts long before there were cell phones. And people managed to get by for a couple hours during the show.

And if I was in the situation I am now and did not have a cell phone back then I would not have been able to go to things like that. I can not be out of communication range for that long with an elderly parent at home- over Christmas I was out with my daughter and got the call she fell in the bathroom and we immediately had to leave where we were to get home to get her to the hospital. I would never be comfortable going for 3+ hours out without being reachable.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Well, I think the self-absorbed ones are those that feel they are so important they can't go without cell phone access for 2 hours. Follow the rules, or stay home...it's not complicated. Do people keep the their phones on and text during movies too? Or live theatre? In case there is an emergency that needs them? lol.

So, people aren't allowed to disagree? Everyone should just suck it up or give it up? Um, no. If you're cool with turning your phone off, then that's cool. But there's also nothing wrong with disliking this idea and discussing it.

Personally, I would avoid going someplace than jams my phone. If I'm just asked to turn it off, I would set it to vibrate and step outside to answer a text or call.

I prefer to be accessable to my teens, especially if they aren't home. Modern technology makes this possible, just like many other conveniences that aren't always necessary. I won't go against an artist's wishes, but I'm also willing to skip seeing them if I don't care for their rules.

 

[wenrob]

I think the time to have reined this in has come and gone. They’re about a decade too late. I’m pretty sure a lot of these performers were fine and dandy with it when they were still coming up and needed the exposure.

When I go anywhere I silence my phone on the way in, movies, concert, dinner, someone’s house. For me it’s the polite thing to do. But. I have young kids and parents who are in frail health. Twenty some years ago that’s not something I had to worry about. Now it is. Even if it weren’t I feel the way Mackenzie does. It’s my personal property and I have an issue with someone else restricting my access to it. Want me to keep it in my pocket, no problem I can do that. Want to lock it up? Sorry, won’t be paying to see your show.

They asked no video be taken when we went to see Elton John. HUGE venue. For the most part people were good about it. When they weren’t, the ushers asked people to put the phones away. I never witnessed anyone having to be asked twice.

 

[lifesavacation]

When I first thought about this, I didn’t think it was a bad idea. However, I really would not want one of my kids to go into a crowded venue in this day and age and have their phone jammed or taken away. I’m probably over reacting to the mass shootings in the news lately, but that’s where my mind goes when I think of crowded arenas.

 

[disykat]

The most recent concert I went to (about 2 months ago?) was in an old theater. The artists clearly had no issues with cell phones and asked the audience to post on social media during intermission for a chance to meet them backstage. It was against the venue's policy to film though. I was sitting near the top looking down and watched LOTS of people be asked by ushers to put phones away and then whip them right back out when the ushers walked away. I could see the screens of hundreds of cell phones from where I was. There was really no way to avoid seeing it even though it didn't "block" my view. It was still a distraction.

People are arguing two different things here IMO. Actively using your phone when it is against the rules is way different than having it in your pocket on vibrate for emergencies. The threat of bags/signal interference is only happening because of the first one. I don't think anyone here is arguing against having it in your pocket for emergencies.

 

[SteveMouse]

And another point: I am considering participating in a drug trial. One of the requirements is that data be entered into a cell phone every day within a company-controlled time window. If the venue locks my phone, I can’t enter data. Since the drug treats my disability, it would seem discriiminatory.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't think anyone here is arguing against having it in your pocket for emergencies.

Not so sure...

There were concerts long before there were cell phones. And people managed to get by for a couple hours during the show.

Well, I think the self-absorbed ones are those that feel they are so important they can't go without cell phone access for 2 hours. Follow the rules, or stay home...it's not complicated. Do people keep the their phones on and text during movies too? Or live theatre? In case there is an emergency that needs them? lol.

It's been mentioned about having kids with a sitter or elderly parents. But let's go a little extreme... how about the Las Vegas shooting? I'm guessing people at that concert, as well as their loved ones, were probably happy their cell phones worked.

Curious why someone would think recording a concert is a better time than experiencing (watching) the concert?

If being "in the experience" is so important, why do people take pictures and videos when they're at Disney? Shouldn't they be "experiencing" the vacation?

 

[mom2rtk]

It's been mentioned about having kids with a sitter or elderly parents. But let's go a little extreme... how about the Las Vegas shooting? I'm guessing people at that concert, as well as their loved ones, were probably happy their cell phones worked.

I didn't say I don't bring it. I said it's powered off. If you're not comfortable being away for a few hours, you can check in at intermission.

And if a natural or man made disaster happens, just turn it back on.

 

[Hikergirl]

Well, I think the self-absorbed ones are those that feel they are so important they can't go without cell phone access for 2 hours. Follow the rules, or stay home...it's not complicated. Do people keep the their phones on and text during movies too? Or live theatre? In case there is an emergency that needs them? lol.

Oh I agree with the bolded, I wouldn't be giving any performer any of my money if they were going to have me lock up my phone during their concert. No need to see their show that bad, and I wouldn't even be using my phone there. It is the principle of the matter for me, YMMV.
And I won't even respond to your strawman arguments as you know as well I as I do that going to a concert is not the same as going to a movie or a theater for a play.

 

[sam_gordon]

I didn't say I don't bring it. I said it's powered off. If you're not comfortable being away for a few hours, you can check in at intermission.

And if a natural or man made disaster happens, just turn it back on.

But if a venue takes steps to block the cell signal, it won't matter if you turn it back on or not. YOU. CAN'T. USE. IT.

And it has nothing to do with "checking in". I would want to know if my kids have done something that requires a trip to the emergency room (or worse). Do I want to be contacted because Jimmy won't eat dinner? No. Do I want to be contacted if he was doing something stupid and fell and broke his arm? Yes. Do I want to know if my 16 year old got into a car accident? Yes. If you're comfortable not finding those things out until 2 or 3 hours later, that's fine. I'd rather know sooner.

Let's go back to the Vegas shooting. Hypothetically, you know someone who attended the concert. And let's say they had these "cell phone blocks" in place. You hear about the shooting, you're going to try to call. But you can't. And they can't call you. Because the venue is blocking the signal. And the bags? You think as people are trying to escape a disaster, they're going to worry about unlocking a bag?

I'll readily accept there are people who abuse the cell phones. I'll agree an artist has a right to not have the performance recorded. But unless you say "do not pull out your cell phone and point it toward the stage" and enforce it, you need to accept people will do things you don't want them to do. Disabling the phones isn't a good solution IMO.

 

[wenrob]

I didn't say I don't bring it. I said it's powered off. If you're not comfortable being away for a few hours, you can check in at intermission.

And if a natural or man made disaster happens, just turn it back on.

But if your phone is required to be locked up in one of these bags and something like that happens what do you do? I used to tell my kids that it was something unlikely to happen until the night of October 1st when I was awakened from a dead sleep and being informed that it was indeed happening.

I asked my DD and DH what they thought. They go to way more events than I do. Like me, they have an issue with their property being locked up or rendered unusable and say they would choose not to go. DD pointed out that the venues who use this will need to be 100% clear before tickets are sold.

 

[tvguy]

But Broadway shows don't lock your phone or use technology to disable them. I'm all in favor of having ushers enforce copyright laws if someone is taping the show (I actually had a friend get his camera confiscated at a theater and was totally on the usher's side). That's waaaaaaaaaaay different from not being able to use your phone at all.

The cell phone blocking is kind of old school. Some movie theaters have been advocating for it for over a decade, and some hospitals too.
https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2005/12/5802-2/

 

[prprincess]

I'm already not going to concerts because they are so darn expensive. And while I'm not one to record and the recorders do annoy me when they get in my way, if phones were banned, then I really wouldn't purchased tickets anymore. I'm not one who is dependent on my phone, but with kids at home, I need it.

 

[Southernmiss]

Our oldest son bought DH and I tickets to U2 in New Orleans about an hour and a half away from our home. We had not been to a concert in 20 years as we are "those responsible parents" who don't leave our kids (sarcasm). The concert was on a school night in September when DD15 had an away volleyball game. She's the last at home and doesn't drive yet.

She made a loose plan that a teammate's mom would bring her home from the game. I had my brother on back up as her ride home.

I was not able to relax and enjoy the concert (amazing) until I knew she was getting home safe.

A simple text to me "Home" was all I needed. A very simplistic example, but it was one that allowed me to attend the concert and have a great time doing something that dh and I should get out and do more of and that technology enables me to do.

And yes, I did take video and pictures that DH and I still look at and remember how special the concert was. Don't those of us on the board look at our Disney photos and videos to relive those special memories?

And a concert like that had close to 40,000 people. I don't know how an attendant would have found us to let us know there was an emergency at home.

People do have to be smart about technology, but we can't let Big Brother ruin the moment for us.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But if a venue takes steps to block the cell signal, it won't matter if you turn it back on or not. YOU. CAN'T. USE. IT.

And it has nothing to do with "checking in". I would want to know if my kids have done something that requires a trip to the emergency room (or worse). Do I want to be contacted because Jimmy won't eat dinner? No. Do I want to be contacted if he was doing something stupid and fell and broke his arm? Yes. Do I want to know if my 16 year old got into a car accident? Yes. If you're comfortable not finding those things out until 2 or 3 hours later, that's fine. I'd rather know sooner.

Let's go back to the Vegas shooting. Hypothetically, you know someone who attended the concert. And let's say they had these "cell phone blocks" in place. You hear about the shooting, you're going to try to call. But you can't. And they can't call you. Because the venue is blocking the signal. And the bags? You think as people are trying to escape a disaster, they're going to worry about unlocking a bag?

I'll readily accept there are people who abuse the cell phones. I'll agree an artist has a right to not have the performance recorded. But unless you say "do not pull out your cell phone and point it toward the stage" and enforce it, you need to accept people will do things you don't want them to do. Disabling the phones isn't a good solution IMO.

I'm just thinking of another example using things like Vegas. FB enacted the ability to use the "I'm safe" feature or whatever it's called to alert people you are friends with that you are ok. It's not something I think someone goes into a concert necessarily thinking about regarding something awful happening there but disablement of a cell phone means less people are able to call for emergency services, less people able to check in with their families or in the case of FB advise that they are safe or not, less ability to be contacted should something occur outside of the venue. And same goes for locking a device up.

 

[PollyannaMom]

But if a venue takes steps to block the cell signal, it won't matter if you turn it back on or not. YOU. CAN'T. USE. IT.

I thought the article said it would block just the photo/video function (not calls/texts)?

But I agree that this -

You think as people are trying to escape a disaster, they're going to worry about unlocking a bag?

would definitely be a mess! People would think the ones who had actually escaped were dead, because they couldn't get through. Rounding everyone up later to get them unlocked would be a huge hassle...

I think instead of making this more complicated, with more devices, it would be simpler to just agree on (and abide by) some standards of etiquette for the ones we have!

 

[PollyannaMom]

A simple text to me "Home" was all I needed. A very simplistic example, but it was one that allowed me to attend the concert and have a great time doing something that dh and I should get out and do more of and that technology enables me to do.

I know what you mean! It's so reassuring. (Sometimes I wonder how my Mom didn't go nuts with worry?)

And yes, I did take video and pictures that DH and I still look at and remember how special the concert was. Don't those of us on the board look at our Disney photos and videos to relive those special memories?

There's a big difference, though, between snapping a few photos and videotaping a whole concert. I'm all for memories (and I love looking at our Disney pics) but I do sympathize with artists who are upset if their concerts are suddenly available for free on the internet.

 

[robinb]

There's a big difference, though, between snapping a few photos and videotaping a whole concert. I'm all for memories (and I love looking at our Disney pics) but I do sympathize with artists who are upset if their concerts are suddenly available for free on the internet.

The problem with the bags and phone jammers is that they don't differentiate between casual pictures or snippets of the concert and full blown recordings. In any case, I don't think that even if someone posted an entire concert online it would reduce ticket sales. People who go to concerts want to see the performer live. Just look at the Grateful Dead. They allowed/encouraged tapers in their audience and those "bootleg" tapes actually brought MORE people to the shows.

 

[wenrob]

I know what you mean! It's so reassuring. (Sometimes I wonder how my Mom didn't go nuts with worry?)



There's a big difference, though, between snapping a few photos and videotaping a whole concert. I'm all for memories (and I love looking at our Disney pics) but I do sympathize with artists who are upset if their concerts are suddenly available for free on the internet.

My dad says all the time if they’d had cellphones when I was a kid we would have had them. As a rotten teenager I had no idea how many sleepless nights I caused him.

The thing with the artists being upset with it is, why now? The time to have set those standards has long passed IMO. As I said in my previous post I’m betting a large number of them didn’t have an issue when it was getting their name out there. (A band that comes to mind is Metallica back in the day had zero issues with using their fans to promote themselves then became huge proponents of DRM once they started making actual money. Whole ‘nother discussion but bottom line they started out encouraging their music being passed around.) I’m a hobbyist photographer and highly respect copyright. If you ask me not to film/photograph/video I’m not going to do it. However, if you’re just now having a problem with it when you didn’t seem to before well, I figure you have enough cash in your pocket and you don’t need mine.