At a recent concert, I had promised myself not to take any pictures and just enjoy the music. I turned off my ‘phone and stuck it in my pocket. I did quite well resisting the urge until late into the first set. But the ‘phone was niggling me – the sound, the lights, the experience was just too good that I had to capture it. I turned on my ‘phone, making sure the brightness was right down and captured a few shots. I turned it off again but still the niggling was there.
As the second act continued on, I found myself taking a few more pictures, and I am glad I did. But I know that taking pictures, especially in a small venue might offence the artist, or my fellow concert goers.
So I have been pondering the question…
Should I take photos at concerts?
My personal answer is yes, I should take pictures at my concerts if I wish to. But I need to consider the venue, the artist and my fellow concert goers. If the artist doesn’t want you to take photos then their wishes should be respected.
If the venue is small will you stand out or interrupt someone’s experience? The Cambridge Corn Exchange is a one such small venue. If I am on the first few rows, like the recent Steve Hackett gig I would be wary of taking too many photos.
I was once on the front row, directly beneath Steve which I felt was just too close, so that was a definite no no! But then a larger venue like the Newcastle Arena for Eric Clapton or the Royal Albert Hall for David Gilmour feel a little bit more acceptable.
And when you get to massive shows, like Desert Trip you want to capture a once in a lifetime experience. When else are you going to see Battersea Power station rise out of the Coachella Polo Ground?
Of course, I need consider the other concert goers. I personally speak to everyone around me and tell them I plan to take a few pictures, maybe some video. I reassure them I will keep the brightness down and, most importantly, that they are welcome to elbow me in the ribs or tell me to stop if I am ruining it for them. No picture is worth crashing someone else’s concert experience.
So that’s my personal experience and view. But not everyone is as considerate as [I think] I am. So I guess it ponders a bigger question..
Should ‘phones be banned at concerts?
I think not! For starters, many concerts now use an app for your ticket. So you can’t tell people not to bring their phones when the ticket details, all the way to your seat number is on the ‘phone.
For the current (2024) Bob Dylan concerts I believe concert goers are requested to put their ‘phone into a bag or locker and pick it up at the end of the show. Whilst this may encourage the audience to ‘live in the moment’ it can also cause a lot of anxiety by separating people from their connections/family and or simple ‘phone addiction which I know is a thing as I felt it sometimes.
Also, if the latest iPhone is over £1,000 do you really want to leave that in a locker? Also does it not just add a tremendous logistics headache pre and post concert?
Another question…
Is there a downside to discouraging ‘phones and cameras at concerts?
I can understand why ‘phones can wreck a show. But in these days of social media, they are a crucial tool for sharing both experiences that could encourage connections or ticket sales. A look my Instagram feed suggests Nick Cave is the tour of the autumn. To be honest I didn’t know he was touring until I saw the pictures appear. And now I am thinking I would have liked to see that gig.
On YouTube I have posted some concert videos, for which the same questions apply. Whilst I have had the odd snotty comment about focusing on social likes rather than ‘the moment’, most of the comments are positive. People are watching these videos to relive their night, or getting excited about seeing the artist soon whilst others just love the artist cannot afford or get to see them live.
But these are just my opinions, I would love to know what you think. Drop a comment below and share your view, I’d love to hear it.