When cell phone use becomes too much
If you’ve ever been to a smaller setting for a show, you know that people barely leave their cell phones. Even while the band is performing, someone will be looking at their phone screen instead of the band they spent money to see.
Cell phone use during concerts has increased more and more over recent years. Some people would say that people are using their cell phones too much.
“If you’re spending more time with your face watching your phone instead of the show, that’s too much,” Alesia Blum, a frequent attendee at large country concerts, said. “If you’re paying attention to your phone, you’re ignoring the performer so it’s taking away from the show.”
Dustina Hooper, a photographer for bands in Buffalo, New York, commented: “I think cell phones at concerts are fine. It’s a person’s personal preference what they choose to do at an event they spent money to be there for. The only thing I don’t think is okay is to demand to be up front and just stand there on Instagram, Tinder, [and] Reddit while a band is performing. If you don’t care enough about the concert to put your phone down then, stand in the back. Using it to take photos [or] make posts about the show? Perfectly fine in my opinion, [but] just don’t spend the entire concert doing that.”
“I hate phones and technology so all use is too much to me,” Megan Gurcze, a frequent attendee to local Cleveland shows, said. “I take a few pictures, maybe a video or two, but in my opinion I would rather experience life in its full and not through a phone screen.”
Pictures taken at festivals in the United States and Europe have shown that no matter where you go; there will be people in the crowd using their cells phones while someone is performing. Whether it’s taking video or pictures, or doing something completely unrelated to the performance, they are there.
But is it really anyone’s place to say something if that person with the cell phone is the one taking their attention away from the performer? Cell phones have been enhanced over the years to take better videos and pictures. A lot of commercials for iPhones or Droids use videos from concerts as an example.
“I think that cell phones can be used as much as the cell phone holder wants,” Katie Chesley, a regular country concert goer, commented, “Cell phones take away from the concert experience, but if the ticket buyer wants to waste their money then that’s fine with me.”
Rachael Petrelli, a former student at Edinboro and frequent concert goer, said, “Personally I feel having cell phones at concerts takes away from living in the moment. Instead of experiencing a moment you share with the band, a lot of us turn to recording and documenting every little thing. It’s different from being at a show taking everything in than holding your phone up for the entire experience.”
When it comes to being an average height girl at a show, there are obstacles that are presented: Such as tall people holding up their phones or cameras during the whole set, blocking your view.
When I was younger, I would try to stay out of the pit and out of danger, but then someone around my height would stand in front of me. By the time I would feel comfortable and start enjoying the show, they would bring out their cell phone and block my view.
“When I go to shows and someone is taller than me, I will try to move whether they are taking pictures or not,” Gurcze commented. “I try not to let other people ruin my experience no matter what.”
“I paid to go and listen to the band and enjoy myself and it sucks when you look up to the band and your view is blocked by phone screens,” Petrelli commented. “But then again this is the society we live in, and we are the generation who has to adapt to this new use of constant technology.”
There are even pictures taken through someone else’s cell phone screen of a band. Though it may seem that it has a cool effect, it puts in perspective how much technology is used in a crowd during a performance.
Is there an effective way to lessen cell phone use? Is it even possible to put a ban on cell phone use?
“I don’t think they should be banned, because that’s almost impossible to monitor everyone and people use them as cameras,” Blum commented.
Not too long ago, at least five years ago, venues would have signs up or on their website saying no cameras. This was before cell phones were up to the camera standards that they are today. Venues would search bags, looking for cameras. But nowadays, people keep their cell phones on their person more often.
Molly Hudelson, cofounder and reporter for Circles & Soundwaves, pointed out, “It’s ultimately up to the people attending the show whether they want to use their phones or not. Should people be courteous of those around them as well as the band on stage? Yeah, but I don’t think phones should be banned because sometimes people need to be on alert. Sometimes I’m waiting for an email, text, or phone call regarding an interview with the band or a photo pass. Or maybe my friends are there, either at the concert as well or they’re in the local band, and I want to find them and get in touch, or someone is hurt. Sometimes you need to be on your phone. And it’s ultimately up to the person using their phone and shouldn’t be decided by the venue or anyone else.”
It appears that venues would have a hard time banning cell phones, but what about bands? Should fans respect a band’s wishes for them to put down their phone and pay attention to the performance?
“If the band asks you to, respect them. They’re out there giving their all to entertain you and you would rather stare at your phone? You could do that at home,” Blum said.
Gurcze commented, “If fans are there to support a band they enjoy and like them they should support and respect their wishes.”
Sometimes a band wants to feel more connected to the audience and wants their undivided attention.
No matter what happens in the future, it seems that cell phones will stay present and the only thing you can do is to move away from the cell phone user or ask them to put it away.
