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Original poster

Phones at gigs

71 replies

BlinkBeforeYouThink · 05/07/2025 07:05

I get that this is now part of life. People want to capture their experience. I get that. And concerts where you're jumping up and down, dancing etc recording the show probably isn't that intrusive to those around you. But this week I was at a seated concert at the Royal Albert Hall and the people in front kept putting their phones up to record. It just totally distracted me and kept pulling my attention from the artist to the light from the phone. Feel quite annoyed tbh and wish people that do this could understand how much they ruin it for others around them. There was even an announcement at the beginning asking people to put their phones away for the enjoyment of everyone but some people just don't care.

OP posts:
Panda89 · 05/07/2025 07:10

100% agree. Me and DH go to a lot of gigs and I hate how people just stand there with their phones up in the air the whole time and block my already hampered view.
I much prefer to just enjoy the moment, they surely are not watching these videos back? So I don’t really get the point.

AbzMoz · 05/07/2025 10:17

10000000% agree!

I think it’s totally fine to take 1-2 quick pics or a selfie but recording whole songs? Why?

I also don’t really get the gigs where people treat it all as a singalong karaoke? Surely you want to listen to the actual act? And would expect those around you to prefer to hear them vs your warblings too?

PeapodMcgee · 05/07/2025 10:23

Yanbu. People don't know how to experience things anymore. As if they're going to look at their wobbly tinny footage ever again. Annoying twats. Should be banned.

Gowlett · 05/07/2025 10:25

Hate it. The videos are always shite too…

Bjorkdidit · 05/07/2025 10:29

It's everywhere. We've recently come back from Mallorca and I was amazed at how many people would arrive at the beach and immediately go through an extended posing session for photos and videos. Same when I went to Versailles, which was on an unseasonably cold day so they all whipped off their coats and artfully arranged their scarves before taking selfies.

Likewise at spas. Half the people seem to spend half their time curating perfect 'toes and cocktail' images to prove to the world that they're relaxing and switching off from life.

It's fascinating and at the same time horrifying that so many people seem to be wedded to 'if it's not on Insta, it didn't happen'.

Gowlett · 05/07/2025 10:38

Bjorkdidit · 05/07/2025 10:29

It's everywhere. We've recently come back from Mallorca and I was amazed at how many people would arrive at the beach and immediately go through an extended posing session for photos and videos. Same when I went to Versailles, which was on an unseasonably cold day so they all whipped off their coats and artfully arranged their scarves before taking selfies.

Likewise at spas. Half the people seem to spend half their time curating perfect 'toes and cocktail' images to prove to the world that they're relaxing and switching off from life.

It's fascinating and at the same time horrifying that so many people seem to be wedded to 'if it's not on Insta, it didn't happen'.

I kind of cherish those crap photos of all of us in the pub, now, back in the 90s. One person snapping, with only 20 shots!

MadisonAvenue · 05/07/2025 10:44

There was a guy livestreaming the Oasis concert last night. I watched a bit but it really pissed me off, I couldn’t get tickets and if I’d been there I’d have soaked up every moment and really got into it but he was just standing there filming, occasionally shouting about how many people were watching his stream. He panned to the people next to him at one point and they were sat motionless with their phones in their hands.

It’s the same at football matches. Me and my son are Manchester United season ticket holders and the seat immediately in front of me is sold on a match by match basis. What you see in my photo is a regular occurrence, and this ‘supporter’ filmed the majority of the game. I could see the pitch pretty well btw, I’d held my phone lower to send a pic back to my husband, but watching the match and having it on her screen in my eye line was a bit distracting.

Phones at gigs
Original poster
BlinkBeforeYouThink · 05/07/2025 10:51

It's just so sad that so many people seem to be living their lives through a lens. Just disconnected from real life. Not fully engaged or present.

Also no awareness of how inconsiderate they're being when filming on their phones, holding devices aloft and obstructing the view for others. The glare of screens and constant movement are so distracting and just disrupt the enjoyment of those around them.

Its not the first time I've had an event spoilt in this way because of someone filming in front of me. I'm just so sick of it.

OP posts:
IggleBiggle · 05/07/2025 12:59

It's pointless . I think the only way round it is if venues agree to film and then release the video after and ban phones.

I actually think people would pay to watch it online - I certainly would if I couldn't go. I've actually been looking at videos of Oasis and Glasto on YT today.

EdwinaIronside · 05/07/2025 13:23

Agree wholeheartedly.

Nothing wrong with the odd snap, I do that.

The people who film it - why? Totally, utterly pointless, and disengaged from what’s going on in front of them.

Pedallleur · 05/07/2025 13:28

Depends. Saw Olivia Rodrigo this week. 23000 young women recording the show and when asked holding their phone torch aloft. In that context I got it but personally I hate it. But for them it's a huge night with their friends. Taylor Swift was another show like that.

Pedallleur · 05/07/2025 13:31

MadisonAvenue · 05/07/2025 10:44

There was a guy livestreaming the Oasis concert last night. I watched a bit but it really pissed me off, I couldn’t get tickets and if I’d been there I’d have soaked up every moment and really got into it but he was just standing there filming, occasionally shouting about how many people were watching his stream. He panned to the people next to him at one point and they were sat motionless with their phones in their hands.

It’s the same at football matches. Me and my son are Manchester United season ticket holders and the seat immediately in front of me is sold on a match by match basis. What you see in my photo is a regular occurrence, and this ‘supporter’ filmed the majority of the game. I could see the pitch pretty well btw, I’d held my phone lower to send a pic back to my husband, but watching the match and having it on her screen in my eye line was a bit distracting.

I saw that stream. Stage was in the distance and everyone seemed to be talking. Glad I wasn't there (hate stadium shows)

Eastendboysandwestendgirls · 05/07/2025 13:36

I spent a lot of money on gig tickets last year only to see the entire gig through the screens of the people in front of me. Couldn't see the lead singer, as every he moved, the screens went with him. Totally ruined the experience. I did ask the man in front of me to please stop for a bit and he laughed at me and said he was entitled to film it and I could fuck off. I may as well have saved the couple of hundred quid and played the albums at home. Selfish twats.

StoorieHoose · 05/07/2025 13:47

I’ve been to see Lana del Rey and Pulp in the last couple of weeks. The difference was stark between the two audiences - Lana was a sea of phones held aloft but Pulp there was a handful

2025mj · 05/07/2025 13:54

I love filming my concerts
I do it because chances are I won't be going back
And I have watched the videos back, more than once
Share them with new friends etc

pictoosh · 05/07/2025 13:58

It should be a chucking out offence. All those glowing rectangles right in your view. Absolute dicks.
No one wants to see your gig/concert video...and if it seems like they do, they're simply being polite. Watching someone else's phone footage of a gig is painfully boring.

Aparecium · 05/07/2025 14:12

Ds went to a gig recently where everybody had to put their phone in a pouch which was then locked. They were unlocked as people left. He said it improved the experience immensely - and this is a young man who had never before experienced a gig without his phone.

Ghostfan · 05/07/2025 14:19

Aparecium · 05/07/2025 14:12

Ds went to a gig recently where everybody had to put their phone in a pouch which was then locked. They were unlocked as people left. He said it improved the experience immensely - and this is a young man who had never before experienced a gig without his phone.

Was that Ghost?

I went to see them recently and they did that. Was so great to go to a gig without phones blocking the view and to be in the moment.

I might take a couple of photos/short video but I would rather enjoy it with my own eyes than through a phone.

Original poster
BlinkBeforeYouThink · 05/07/2025 14:21

Aparecium · 05/07/2025 14:12

Ds went to a gig recently where everybody had to put their phone in a pouch which was then locked. They were unlocked as people left. He said it improved the experience immensely - and this is a young man who had never before experienced a gig without his phone.

This sounds incredible and I wish other venues would follow this. May I ask where it was? Sounds like a clear recognition of the impact that videoing has on everyone else.

As a pp suggested - if more events were recorded professionally so that people had the option of buying the memory perhaps this would help.

OP posts:
Aparecium · 05/07/2025 14:36

I don't remember. I'll ask him.

Pedallleur · 05/07/2025 15:04

Aparecium · 05/07/2025 14:12

Ds went to a gig recently where everybody had to put their phone in a pouch which was then locked. They were unlocked as people left. He said it improved the experience immensely - and this is a young man who had never before experienced a gig without his phone.

This will become the norm for some artists as they seek to control their image. Sooner the better for me but others know it can be a tool for free promotion

Decisionsdecisions1 · 05/07/2025 17:26

Because we re now in a performative culture.

Nothing is worth experiencing if it isn’t filmed and announced on social media.

Look at me at this cool gig.

Look at me looking so ripped in the gym.

Look at me running this race, I’m so committed and focused.

Look at me with my besties, I have so many good friends.

The sub text of it all is my life is better than yours. I am better than you.

Yes a minority film it to personally watch again but it would be naive not to recognise that the majority film it to share it.

I feel like apologising to dd for the world that she has to navigate as a teen.

Original poster
BlinkBeforeYouThink · 05/07/2025 19:12

Decisionsdecisions1 · 05/07/2025 17:26

Because we re now in a performative culture.

Nothing is worth experiencing if it isn’t filmed and announced on social media.

Look at me at this cool gig.

Look at me looking so ripped in the gym.

Look at me running this race, I’m so committed and focused.

Look at me with my besties, I have so many good friends.

The sub text of it all is my life is better than yours. I am better than you.

Yes a minority film it to personally watch again but it would be naive not to recognise that the majority film it to share it.

I feel like apologising to dd for the world that she has to navigate as a teen.

This is spot on. I honestly feel so sad at the society we've become.

OP posts:
Nafotdbs · 05/07/2025 19:29

You're not wrong OP. It makes me really sad how much people are living their lives almost solely through screens.

Have just got back from an organised adventure holiday, all through the description it was 'switch off', 'feel miles from civilisation' etc. Except you couldn't because 10 out of the 12 people on the trip were glued to their devices, and I think it was only 10 rather than 11 because a phone broke at the start of the trip. People would interrupt conversations to get posed photos, or show someone a photo they just took, everyone was checking the news and the weather or chatting with people at home. One person had their phone out almost constantly, I asked what they do with the photos and was told 'I'll probably delete 95% of them, and might not ever look at the rest'. I had a feeling it was bad, but honestly didn't realise quite how bad it would be. I'm usually 'you do you' about things, but it was impossible to ignore it or avoid it. Really affected the experience of being 'off grid'.

I'd definitely sign up to screen/tech free experiences, if such a thing existed.

NoSoupForU · 05/07/2025 19:31

It gets on my bastard nerves. Nobody is capable of just enjoying something now. Every fucker has to experience everything through their phone and the little rectangles of white light everywhere ruin it for everyone else.