They're going to ban Smartphone use at shows

El Bob

I saw Tool in Louisville last fall, and the ushers there were very zealous about the cell phone policy.  I had my phone own texting my kid's good night before the show even started, and I got a warning and was told if they saw it again, I was gone.  A dude sitting next to me was taken out before the end of the show for having his out texting.  

I saw Tool in Nashville a couple of weeks ago, and while the announced the policy early, they didn't seem nearly as interested in enforcing it. I saw people with them up the whole show.  I guess enforcement will vary from arena to arena.

BennyLaRue

Ledbetterman10 said:

JimmyV said:

I remain steadfastly against any ban on cellphones that encourages overzealous security guards to barrel into the seats looking to confiscate a phone in the middle of a show. Ed's 2012 shows in Clearwater, FL were ridiculous in this regard.

Yeah that's not what you want. But the Jack White way worked well enough to me. They gave you a foam case when you entered that you locked your phone in, but you still keep it on in your pocket. There were designated areas to go to have it unlocked in case you really needed to use it, but otherwise, it stayed locked until you left the venue, and there were people at the door to unlock it for you on the way out. Overall, I liked it. 

Not just that, in emergency situations during the concert, you could go and get in unlocked in order to call home, post bail, whatever you needed to do and then go back in to the show. It was ideal.

JB16057

I can agree that it is annoying to see a sea of phones at concerts but I think its stupid to ban them. Artists should be more concerned about their own performance than who is on their phone. If they are going to take away phones, they should also be taking away alcohol. The people that drink and party at concerts are way more of an annoyance than people on their phones.

BennyLaRue

Which you said. Sorry, reading fail.

blackhawks

Tools policy is a little over the top.  There are a lot of people trying to video their show since there are no DVDs.   It I would prefer to take a few pictures early maybe then enjoy the show. Bit people videoing the whole shows then probably never watching it again because it is is crap....  I mean you lose the energy of the crowd with all the phone stuff.  Just me and maybe I am old.  But fuck all the phones up in my face against my will.

mace1229

Ledbetterman10 said:

JimmyV said:

I remain steadfastly against any ban on cellphones that encourages overzealous security guards to barrel into the seats looking to confiscate a phone in the middle of a show. Ed's 2012 shows in Clearwater, FL were ridiculous in this regard.

Yeah that's not what you want. But the Jack White way worked well enough to me. They gave you a foam case when you entered that you locked your phone in, but you still keep it on in your pocket. There were designated areas to go to have it unlocked in case you really needed to use it, but otherwise, it stayed locked until you left the venue, and there were people at the door to unlock it for you on the way out. Overall, I liked it. 

Did that not create lines miles long and take forever to get out? Thats what I would foresee happening at a big show, taking 8 hours just to exit if you want your phone back. 

Either way I find it ironic that it seems bands either require phones to get in, or completely ban them now.

Lerxst1992

Throw one person out each month and word will spread. The  fall tour for Tool featured almost zero phone use until the last song. 

Regarding that Madona article, the artist, by  showing up hours late AND prohibiting phone use, is requiring fans with kids to miss a big portion of her show. Rescheduling transportation and child care takes time and it was necessitated by an artist that put inaccurate info on the ticket. That's on her and should be her responsibility. 

Douglas12373

mace1229 said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

JimmyV said:

I remain steadfastly against any ban on cellphones that encourages overzealous security guards to barrel into the seats looking to confiscate a phone in the middle of a show. Ed's 2012 shows in Clearwater, FL were ridiculous in this regard.

Yeah that's not what you want. But the Jack White way worked well enough to me. They gave you a foam case when you entered that you locked your phone in, but you still keep it on in your pocket. There were designated areas to go to have it unlocked in case you really needed to use it, but otherwise, it stayed locked until you left the venue, and there were people at the door to unlock it for you on the way out. Overall, I liked it. 

Did that not create lines miles long and take forever to get out? Thats what I would foresee happening at a big show, taking 8 hours just to exit if you want your phone back. 

Either way I find it ironic that it seems bands either require phones to get in, or completely ban them now.

No, it did not. For both JW solo and The Raconteurs here in DC, it was super easy and efficient. Bag it up when you go thru security on the way in. Lots and lots of folks at every exit to release your phone. Took a few extra seconds tops

Ledbetterman10

mace1229 said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

JimmyV said:

I remain steadfastly against any ban on cellphones that encourages overzealous security guards to barrel into the seats looking to confiscate a phone in the middle of a show. Ed's 2012 shows in Clearwater, FL were ridiculous in this regard.

Yeah that's not what you want. But the Jack White way worked well enough to me. They gave you a foam case when you entered that you locked your phone in, but you still keep it on in your pocket. There were designated areas to go to have it unlocked in case you really needed to use it, but otherwise, it stayed locked until you left the venue, and there were people at the door to unlock it for you on the way out. Overall, I liked it. 

Did that not create lines miles long and take forever to get out? Thats what I would foresee happening at a big show, taking 8 hours just to exit if you want your phone back. 

Either way I find it ironic that it seems bands either require phones to get in, or completely ban them now.

Great question. It actually wasn’t bad at all. Mind you it wasn’t the biggest venue (Anthem in DC) but there were several workers at each exit with magnetic things that unlocked the phone. 

Good point on the no phones vs. you NEED a phone crap. I hate that PJ makes you use a phone (and charges $10 for a commemorative paper ticket if you want one). Not everyone in the world has a smartphone and it’s bullshit to require one to get into a concert. 

Metallica’s still the best. I saw them in late 2017: got my physical tickets in the mail well before the show, got a free copy of their latest album (already bought it, but it’s the thought that counts), and a free mp3 download of the show you were at! Truly a band of the people. Maybe just making up for the Napster thing, but still. 

mace1229

Free mp3 of your show would be sweet!
What still bugs me is paying $50-60 for the vault vinyl and not getting the download, having to pay an extra if you want that. Pretty much all new vinyl I get comes with the free download.

alogsdon2425

Drunks are more of an annoyance than phones for me. At one show the guy next to me was so drunk he pissed his pants, had to stand in piss during the show, plus the douche kept trying to give me a hug. Then another show the asshat next to me kept bumping into me, screaming in my face. Screaming didn't bother me as much as the bumping and shoving. The section we were in had steep steps and he almost knocked me down the stairs. 

BennyLaRue

That's a good point. We should be able to put the drunks in a protective case as well.

DoDaFoo

Just to add on to what's already been said, I loved Jack White's policy. It felt like being at a concert in the 90s again. No watching the show through the 50 people taking pics/videos in front of you, no heads down staring at phones, people conversing between bands instead of posting on social media, etc. It was a wonderful experience.

CantKeepmedown

Ledbetterman10 said:

mace1229 said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

JimmyV said:

I remain steadfastly against any ban on cellphones that encourages overzealous security guards to barrel into the seats looking to confiscate a phone in the middle of a show. Ed's 2012 shows in Clearwater, FL were ridiculous in this regard.

Yeah that's not what you want. But the Jack White way worked well enough to me. They gave you a foam case when you entered that you locked your phone in, but you still keep it on in your pocket. There were designated areas to go to have it unlocked in case you really needed to use it, but otherwise, it stayed locked until you left the venue, and there were people at the door to unlock it for you on the way out. Overall, I liked it. 

Did that not create lines miles long and take forever to get out? Thats what I would foresee happening at a big show, taking 8 hours just to exit if you want your phone back. 

Either way I find it ironic that it seems bands either require phones to get in, or completely ban them now.

Great question. It actually wasn’t bad at all. Mind you it wasn’t the biggest venue (Anthem in DC) but there were several workers at each exit with magnetic things that unlocked the phone. 

Good point on the no phones vs. you NEED a phone crap. I hate that PJ makes you use a phone (and charges $10 for a commemorative paper ticket if you want one). Not everyone in the world has a smartphone and it’s bullshit to require one to get into a concert. 

Metallica’s still the best. I saw them in late 2017: got my physical tickets in the mail well before the show, got a free copy of their latest album (already bought it, but it’s the thought that counts), and a free mp3 download of the show you were at! Truly a band of the people. Maybe just making up for the Napster thing, but still. 

I completely, 100% agree that needing a smart phone is ridiculous. I understand that it cuts back on scalping and that's great, but believe it or not, not everybody has a smart phone. I have more than few friends who never moved on from flip phones.

But I think it's even more ridiculous to try and take away phones from people at a show.  You just can't do that. There's parents that need to be available for kids and other emergencies that could come up.  My wife has a hard enough time leaving our kids overnight, 6+ hours away (even when they are with her mother).  If they tried to take her phone she would laugh in their face and leave.  Stern warnings and signs in the venue should be sufficient.  And if you are caught doing anything more than checking for a notification, then kick them out.  

melkor

The foam cases are the best thing to happen for concerts since speakers.

mattcoz

DoDaFoo said:

Just to add on to what's already been said, I loved Jack White's policy. It felt like being at a concert in the 90s again. No watching the show through the 50 people taking pics/videos in front of you, no heads down staring at phones, people conversing between bands instead of posting on social media, etc. It was a wonderful experience.

Who are you to decide what's a wonderful experience for someone else though? Maybe they like texting and sharing the experience with a friend who wasn't able to go to the show. Does that affect your enjoyment in any way? It's all about common courtesy. Think about how what you're doing is affecting those around you. I'll take a picture or video at times, but not too often and I try to keep it down so it doesn't block anyone's view more than my head would and certainly don't hold it up for a whole song.

vinyl boy

 No cell phones at recent Raconteurs show and wouldn’t you know it I ended with a great photo of my self right at the stage. Bottom left between jack Lawrence and spare guitars. Won lottery for early entrance and had a blast talking to other fans that didn’t have their phones in hand.  (As I type this from my cell phone lol)

DoDaFoo

mattcoz said:

DoDaFoo said:

Just to add on to what's already been said, I loved Jack White's policy. It felt like being at a concert in the 90s again. No watching the show through the 50 people taking pics/videos in front of you, no heads down staring at phones, people conversing between bands instead of posting on social media, etc. It was a wonderful experience.

Who are you to decide what's a wonderful experience for someone else though? Maybe they like texting and sharing the experience with a friend who wasn't able to go to the show. Does that affect your enjoyment in any way? It's all about common courtesy. Think about how what you're doing is affecting those around you. I'll take a picture or video at times, but not too often and I try to keep it down so it doesn't block anyone's view more than my head would and certainly don't hold it up for a whole song.

It wasn’t my decision, it was Jack White’s and I am saying that I felt it was a tremendous success and added to my enjoyment of the concert.

herogroundzero

They should ban everything. Problem solved.

Veddernarian

Need your smart-phone in order to scan the revolving bar-code.  Then after you scan the code to get in, security confiscates it...  nice.
People need to live life, though and enjoy the experience.  Rather enjoy than worry about recording and production value.  When you watch the video, it just looks like the crappy videos on Youtube.  Enjoy the moment and then buy the bootleg.  What more do you need?  Don't block my view, there are others behind you.