Concert Cell Phone Ban

[asta]

I am glad to see that performers are getting on board with this:
https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture...one-use-upcoming-tour-dates-100-human-n840681
The article mentions that Apple has the technology to emit signals from the stage that would disable the phones. That sounds like a better solution than the pouches. I always wonder how many people actually go home and watch their videos. The quality and sound can’t be that good. I love the idea of putting the phones away and enjoy actually being there to hear live music.

 

[dish rag]

It's too bad that it's even necessary to do this.

 

[Hikergirl]

These performers get paid to perform for me, I don't get paid to watch them. If I am in the audience and I choose to "watch through my phone" that is my choice. If I choose to sit there texting or whatever, that is my choice. You don't want too, that is your choice.
These performers are so self absorbed that they ban something that distracts paying fans from watching them. Note I didn't say they are being distracted, they just have a problem with people not watching them.
And using tech to disable someone's phone? Really you would want them to go there? SMDH.

 

[DopeyDame]

I appreciate the sentiment and think making an announcement before the show is great. But "locking" phones or somehow using technology to disable them. Nope. Not OK.
First, I absolutely want to snap a few pics of my friends and I with the concert in the background. And from a more serious point of view, many many many people (including me) are on call for work 24/7, and a whole lot of people in the audience are parents who will want to be able to receive texts or calls from their kids.

 

[Mizzoufan]

That sounds like all kinds of problems waiting to happens what if there an emergency at home and someone needs to reach you. Or just you like to take video or pic to share with people back home. I hope this idea doesn't catch one.

 

[soccerdad72]

The problem I have with people and their phones (or, in many cases, iPads) at concerts is when they hold them up above their head to the point that instead of watching the show myself, I end up watching it through their raised device.

We go to one concert every year where the group (Straight No Chaser) makes a point of telling everyone that they want them to tape their performances and post it to any social media they like - they joke that it's cheaper than paying for marketing. Again, the problem with it (IMO) is that everyone's phones get in other people's way when they're trying to watch the show.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I have no problem with a strict "no video" policy. - I can definitely understand that they don't want free concert videos rolling around on line. I would not be comfortable with a complete ban, though.

 

[Imzadi]

If I choose to sit there texting or whatever, that is my choice. You don't want too, that is your choice.
These performers are so self absorbed that they ban something that distracts paying fans from watching them. Note I didn't say they are being distracted, they just have a problem with people not watching them.

It isn't so much that they want people to watch them instead of texting. One can still do whatever they want during a concert or show. They don't want people RECORDING them and then posting the shows on social media so others can see their shows for FREE.

At Broadway theatres, they always make an announcement and have put it in the Playbill that one cannot record the shows or take any pictures of the performance. It's against the copyright laws. You want a memorable picture of the performance, you buy a program. The ushers all keep an eagle eye out to make sure no one is snapping pics or videos. Luckily, most people comply.

Musicians & comedians have the same rights to protect their work. I think Dave Chappelle was the first to do this with the phone bags. Now, other musicians & comedians are following suit on what Broadway shows have always done. You don't like their rules, you (general you) don't have to see their show.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

If artists and venues want to do this, that's completely within their rights, and I can see the point of some of the arguments. It is annoying when people hold up devices to take video for the length of an event, for example, and the glow from the screens can be distracting when it comes to lower-key performances like live theater and dance.

However, I personally would choose not to patronize events that choose to completely ban or disable mobile phones.

 

[DopeyDame]

It isn't so much that they want people to watch them instead of texting. One can still do whatever they want during a concert or show. They don't want people RECORDING them and then posting the shows on social media so others can see their shows for FREE.

At Broadway theatres, they always make an announcement and have put it in the Playbill that one cannot record the shows or take any pictures of the performance. It's against the copyright laws. You want a memorable picture of the performance, you buy a program. The ushers all keep an eagle eye out to make sure no one is snapping pics or videos. Luckily, most people comply.

Musicians & comedians have the same rights to protect their work. I think Dave Chappelle was the first to do this with the phone bags. Now, other musicians & comedians are following suit on what Broadway shows have always done. You don't like their rules, you (general you) don't have to see their show.

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.

 

[soccerdad72]

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.

I would venture a guess and say it's probably easier to enforce this in a relatively small theater versus a concert venue. I suppose there are Broadway theaters as large as some of these concert places, but in general, it's a much larger crowd at a concert and there usually aren't "ushers" per se, just security.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Do you think people should be able to use their phones during a broadway show?

I cannot imagine doing that during the opera or a performance. Phone stays off in my bag.

 

[mom2rtk]

That sounds like all kinds of problems waiting to happens what if there an emergency at home and someone needs to reach you. Or just you like to take video or pic to share with people back home. I hope this idea doesn't catch one.

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

 

[NHdisneylover]

These performers get paid to perform for me, I don't get paid to watch them. If I am in the audience and I choose to "watch through my phone" that is my choice. If I choose to sit there texting or whatever, that is my choice. You don't want too, that is your choice.
These performers are so self absorbed that they ban something that distracts paying fans from watching them. Note I didn't say they are being distracted, they just have a problem with people not watching them.
And using tech to disable someone's phone? Really you would want them to go there? SMDH.

I do not support use of technology which disables phones because that makes people unavailable in an emergency---but I absolutely support staff enforcing rule about not having the phones held up where they can take videos or photos., both for copyright reasons and becuase the rest of us paying customers sure as heck did not pay to go and have to watch the show through someone's big screen being held up.

I think people who hold their screens up to record during shows, impeding the view of those behind them (including "free" showss at Disney, etc) are very rude and entitled.

 

[Imzadi]

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.

I didn't say that Broadway shows lock up phones or use technology to disable them. I was responding to another poster who thought the performers were doing it so people would only watch them. I was talking about the reason the musicians/performers/comedians want phones not used to shoot videos or pics. It is their legal right.

But, we live in an era of entitlement. Where people, like your friend, feel that if they WANT to shoot pics/video, then they are going to. That the laws/rules/wishes of the performers/venue don't matter in their case. There are just too many people at other events for the ushers to be taking so many phones away. AND they wouldn't be locked away as securely as in the green pouches.

And what's the difference between an usher taking a person's phone away once he is caught taking photos/video? He STILL won't be able to use his phone at all once he's handed over his phone. IF he does need to use his phone so badly, he can get up, retrieve his phone, walk out of the venue & use his phone. Hand the phone back over to the usher and sit & watch the show again.

Same for the green pouches. If a doctor on call needs to check in, or parent with a sickly baby at home wants to call, they can have the pouch unlocked, use the phone outside of the venue, lock up the phone again and re-enter the venue. Cell phones have only been around for a few decades, Previously, doctors & parents had to leave the venue & look for a payphone, instead of getting their own phone back & unlocked. If the situation is so urgent that they can't be away from a phone for a couple hours, then they probably shouldn't be there in the first place. Same as before cellphones were invented.

 

[sam_gordon]

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

We used to be able to go years without phones. Are you willing to give up your cell phone for a year?

 

[Mizzoufan]

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

Maybe that why cell phones were invented so people could have phones if they were needed while there way. If you don't want one while you out that's fine don't takes yours. I like to have one if my kids need me while I'm gone.

 

[sam_gordon]

And what's the difference between an usher taking a person's phone away once he is caught taking photos/video? He STILL won't be able to use his phone at all once he's handed over his phone. IF he does need to use his phone so badly, he can get up, retrieve his phone, walk out of the venue & use his phone. Hand the phone back over to the usher and sit & watch the show again.

Same for the green pouches. If a doctor on call needs to check in, or parent with a sickly baby at home wants to call, they can have the pouch unlocked, use the phone outside of the venue, lock up the phone again and re-enter the venue. Cell phones have only been around for a few decades, Previously, doctors & parents had to leave the venue & look for a payphone, instead of getting their own phone back & unlocked. If the situation is so urgent that they can't be away from a phone for a couple hours, then they probably shouldn't be there in the first place. Same as before cellphones were invented.

I'm guessing most people don't WANT to use their phone when they're out. It's not a case of checking on a sick child or work. It's work or the sitter calling because (presumably) there's a an emergency. I have no problem with requests to put phones on vibrate and to say "no pictures". That's totally within their right. I think they're crossing a line when they disable the basic functionality of the phone.

 

[mom2rtk]

We used to be able to go years without phones. Are you willing to give up your cell phone for a year?

A couple hours isn't the same as a year.

I would have no problem with the length of a concert. In fact, mine is typically powered off during any sort of event like that anyway.

 

[sam_gordon]

A couple hours isn't the same as a year.

I would have no problem with the length of a concert. In fact, mine is typically powered off during any sort of event like that anyway.

Good for you. I'm glad you have no potential emergency outside the event that would force you to leave early.