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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be put off going to gigs due to people filming it with their mobile phones?

46 replies

angelos02 · 11/04/2013 16:14

It drives me mad. All of the green lights distracts from the visuals on stage. Why can't people just enjoy things as they happen? The quality of the recording on mobiles is always shit - unless you are right at the front. I could just be getting old and mobiles weren't around when I was in my yoof.

OP posts:

bumblebeader · 11/04/2013 18:23

YANBU. I detest them!

Manchesterhistorygirl · 11/04/2013 18:27

Bigger things to worry about in my opinion.

My aunt recently went to see Alfie Bow (who ???) and was complaining about the "three middle aged women sat in the row infront, on twitter and Facebook. I was going to reach over and take them off them and say 'nanny says toys away'".

Now that's a massive over reaction I think and the frankly if the concert was so good shed have been focused on that.

StuntGirl · 11/04/2013 18:52

I think the fact that many musicians themselves don't like it is a telling factor. They are getting up there sweating blood and tears to put on a good show and engage with their fans and half the room isn't even paying attention. A few pictures of your favourite band? Ok. Spending the whole gig trying to watch it through a 2" screen instead of engaging with the guy (or girl) right in front of you? Not so ok.

makemineamalibuandpineapple · 11/04/2013 19:22

Don't you know, if it's not on Facebook then it didn't happen. Therefore, it's essential that you boast to the whole world about your presence, preferably whilst you are still there.

BenjaminButton172 · 11/04/2013 21:01

i find it irritating. I was watching The Big Reunion on itv2 the other day and everytime they spun to the audience all u could see was the light of peoples screens.

i hate having to film things as i never enjoy the performance. I have filmed a few nativities never gigs.

squeakytoy · 11/04/2013 21:03

It is annoying... taking a few photos fine, but holding your arm up all night throughout the entire gig to record it is bloody annoying when you are stood behind that person.

I was at a Rival Sons gig on Tuesday night and it was a sea of people holding their phones in the air at the front..

Binkybix · 11/04/2013 22:28

It really irritates me and I can't put my finger on why. Its not just it ruining my view, it's something about people not just enjoying the moment.

Would anyone ever really with it back?

Binkybix · 11/04/2013 22:29

*watch

DoJo · 11/04/2013 22:36

I find it annoying too - I mostly go to gigs in smaller venues (which very much do still exist!) and it only takes two or three people doing this near the front to have every angle partially obscured and it's distracting to have lights waving around in front of the stage when you want to be able to focus on the artist performing. I don't care if that makes me old - I wouldn't hold my arm up in someone else's line of sight, so the fact it has a phone on the end of it just makes it worse.

Patchouli · 11/04/2013 22:38

A lot of performers don't like it because footage they might not necessarily be happy with often ends up on youtube.

defineme · 11/04/2013 22:41

Pisses me off too. People checking facebook when the band are doing their best to entertain makes me more cross though-so impolite and such a waste of money. It costs a lot of money to go to a gig, smallish venues still cost £20+, so why at sold out gigs are people flicking through facebook and checking football results. Inattentive, rude and distracting for those of us that want to enjoy the moment..
It doesn't bother me in restaurants/pubs when tragic couples ignore each other and focus on their phones, but so rude at performances and lights are so distracting in dark theatres.

I sound so no fun don't I?

CrystalQueen · 11/04/2013 22:41

I couldn't believe other people at the last gig I was at (that makes it sound like I go to lots, when in fact it was the first in about three years) - everyone else was either filming with their phone or on bloody FB. Apart from the off key woman behind me.

metimenowplease · 11/04/2013 23:01

Nearly all the athletes in the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics were holding their phones up and filming the procession and crowd around them, and it looked pathetic imo. Such a momentous occasion for them, and they couldn't even immerse themselves in it and just live it and engage with the spectators.

HairyGrotter · 12/04/2013 18:50

I'm usually in the pit and there are rarely cameras there because it'll get smashed out of your hand etc. I have noticed when I've turned around that a lot of folk have their phones out. I'm not adverse to the odd photo or a bit of video, but those that watch thought their phone instead of enjoying the gig seem a little odd

cardibach · 12/04/2013 19:11

I quite like all the lights. At the Train gig I went to recently the lead singer was asking people to take his photo and tweet it, and he took a photo himself. I do agree about the living in the moment thing. I like to have a picture or two, and DD generally rings a friend for one of the songs, but recording the whole thing must get a bit tiresome. Not that I've ever seen anyone do that...

montage · 12/04/2013 19:19

maleview70 · 12/04/2013 19:50

We live in a mobile phone world unfortunately and this is one of the downsides....

TobyLerone · 12/04/2013 21:42

YY a lot of the bands/artists I see love and encourage people to take photos/video.

marquesas · 12/04/2013 21:46

Wasn't there an item about this on the BBC news this morning? Is there a reason it's become an issue, has some musician complained?

Smooshy · 12/04/2013 21:46

Oh dear. I've done it loads of times, and will probably do it again on Thursday when I go to my next gig.

I don't record everything, but I do like to record a couple of songs. I like to watch them back and pretend I'm back there again. I like watching other peoples recordings from the same show too on Youtube.

It doesn't bother me if other people film at all. And I'm short so unless I'm at the front I will never see everything anyway!

Celticlassie · 12/04/2013 23:32

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs put up notices I think, which is why it's being discussed again.

I've been raging about it for ages.

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