Should Concert Venues Stop Letting Us Take Pics and Videos?

Remember my recent post about how I got reprimanded at a concert venue for using my cell phone camera?  Well last weekend I returned to that same venue and noticed something different.  There were signs saying that this would be a "Device-Free Show".  Camera and cell phone use would not be permitted during the performance.  The management was serious.  As soon as a woman in front of me started shooting some video, an usher quickly showed up and told her to put the device away.  The result?  I enjoyed the concert very much!  I have to admit, without the distraction of blue lights and viewfinders everywhere, I was fully focused on the performers.  Because nobody else was taking photos, I did not get a case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out.)  We were all there watching the artists on stage.  And I have to say, I loved it.  If this is going to be a new trend...for venues to set "no photography" rules, I'm probably going to be in favor it.

The only thing that I was a little disappointed about was not being able to share some snippets with friends who I know would love the singer's voice.   But then I remembered that YouTube is loaded with clips from past concerts so I could easily send a snippet to someone without needing to shoot video at the concert.   Ditto for Facebook posts. I've always liked posting a photo or a short video to share my concert experience with others.  Likewise, I enjoy seeing snippets from shows my friends go to.  (Living vicariously through them.)

But if things are changing; if there are actual rules that will prevent people from taking pics and videos, then we'll all just have to get used to that as the new normal.  And I think it's all going to be okay.

But we still have a long way to go.  Just last night I went to the Depeche Mode concert at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly.  I'd say about one third of the audience was using their phones to shoot video.  I looked around the crowd and saw a sea of blue lights.

Like I said, we still have a long way to go.

Do you think concert venues should implement a "No-Device" rule?