Ditch the Phones and Embrace the Music: Why Cell Phones Are Prohibited at Some Shows
Limit camera usage at concerts: Reason behind phone prohibition at specific events - Unauthorized Use of Mobile Devices Prohibited at Certain Shows
Skip the grainy, 20-second clips and declutter your device — because, let's face it, is that really a cherished memory of your favorite artist or just more storage clutter? Music festivals and concerts can be polarizing, with fans capturing moments through photos and videos, but others finding this practice irritating.
Take the Swedish hard rock band Ghost, who made headlines by implementing a cell phone ban on their world tour. The same rule applies to American singer Bob Dylan's concerts, and even the joint tour of rappers RIN and Schmyt is named "No Phones Allowed." While phone bans aren't a novel concept in the music scene, they keep popping up.
Background checks for new tunes and preserving the artistic allure are common reasons for these restrictions. In Berlin, an event series called "Unreleased" has been thriving, where photography and recording are off-limits due to the desire to guard unreleased music.
Berlin Has Its Secrets
"We disable smartphones' front and back cameras at the entrance because we're eager to shield the unreleased music," says Federico Battaglia, co-founder of the event. Every month, ten to twelve secret acts perform at Festsaal Kreuzberg, and the audience doesn't learn the lineup beforehand.
These acts, including Nina Chuba, Trettmann, Max Herre, Joy Denalane, and English rapper Headie One, keep it a surprise. "Because we never disclose who's coming, the chances of pleasing every guest are slim," says Battaglia. "However, you'll meet something new every time. It's like a wine tasting."
Two vital factors drive cell phone bans, as elaborated by Johannes Everke, CEO of the Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry (BDKV). "If you have a unique show concept, it makes more sense to prohibit cell phone use," he explains. But it's a different story if the social media reach is crucial for the artists and fans act as multipliers.
Rapper RIN vocalized his sentiments in an Instagram video in 2024, mentioning the tour's "No Phones Allowed" concept: "I miss the intimacy on both sides." He notices that the audience often feels pressured to "do all that social media stuff." As an artist, he misses the feeling of simply performing songs because he wants to, not for promotion. "There's a part of the live show that's been vanishing over the years, and it's a bit of the experimental and free part."
Covering cell phone cameras with stickers or using lockable phone pouches is common before shows. For instance, hard rock band Ghost uses this method. "It's about reconnecting and experiencing the moment," says lead singer Tobias Forge.
However, for some artists, recording their performances can be an integral part of the concept. These artists may use mobile recording to bolster their relationship with fans as they can effectively carry the artists around. Everke explains, "This is part of many artists' communication strategies, and can contribute to their reach and economic success."
For example, megastar Taylor Swift, known for her visually stunning shows, like her recent "Eras" tour. "Of course, people want to take the 'wow' factor home," states Everke. Despite this — or perhaps because of it — millions of fans still attended her concerts.
Music, Smartphones, Berlin, Recording, Mobile Phone Ban, Artists, Bob Dylan, Berlin Event Series, Focus, Max Herre, Nina Chuba
- Despite the prohibition of cell phones at some shows, such as the Berlin event series where photography and recording are not allowed, artists like Taylor Swift have embraced mobile recording as part of their communication strategies to create a lasting connection with fans.
- At the Berlin event series, organizers disable smartphones' front and back cameras to shield unreleased music and offer a unique, experimental, and free live show experience for the audience, as noted by co-founder Federico Battaglia.
- Artists like Bob Dylan and the Swedish hard rock band Ghost have enforced cell phone bans at their concerts, citing the desire to preserve the artistic allure and reconnect with the audience, without pressure to capture moments for social media, as expressed by rappers RIN and Schmyt.
