Should Phone Cameras Be Banned at Shows?

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.

Should Concert Venues Stop Letting Us Take Pics and Videos?