CELL PHONES AT CONCERTS RANT!

Summary

The video explores the shift in concert experiences, focusing on the rise of cell phone usage during live performances. The speaker reflects on a Styx concert from 1997, highlighting the audience's full engagement without phones. In contrast, more recent footage shows concertgoers distracted by their devices, detracting from the experience. The speaker also shares their positive encounter at a Sparks concert, where cell phones were banned, allowing the audience to connect with the music. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to reflect on whether cell phones are harming the live concert experience, with a nod to artists who have enforced phone-free policies.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was initially going to do a CD exchange with Glenn Kellaway from The Basement, but had to postpone due to a sore throat and headache.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on watching footage of Styx, both from their 1997 concert and a more recent performance, highlighting the contrast in audience engagement.
• 😀 In the 1997 Styx footage, the audience is engaged in the live performance without the distraction of cell phones, fully enjoying the concert.
• 😀 In more recent concert footage, many audience members are seen holding their phones up, either recording or taking photos during the performance.
• 😀 The speaker expresses frustration with people using their phones at concerts, feeling it detracts from the live experience and the energy in the room.
• 😀 The speaker contrasts this with a Sparks concert, where the audience is fully engaged and enjoying the performance without being distracted by phones.
• 😀 Some artists, like Jack White and Bob Dylan, have banned phones at their concerts to encourage a more immersive experience and prevent distractions.
• 😀 The speaker shares an experience where Sparks banned phones at a concert, which led to a more focused, enjoyable atmosphere despite not being able to take pictures or videos.
• 😀 While the speaker occasionally films short clips at concerts, they acknowledge that excessive phone usage can be annoying and diminish the experience.
• 😀 The speaker mentions King Crimson’s policy of banning phones, allowing filming only at the end of the concert as a compromise, ensuring a balance between the live experience and the desire for memories.
• 😀 The speaker concludes by asking for the audience’s thoughts on whether cell phones at concerts have changed the live music experience for the better or worse.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main frustration about modern concert experiences?

The speaker is frustrated with the prevalence of cell phone use during concerts. They feel that it detracts from the experience of being fully immersed in the live performance, as people are too focused on recording or taking photos instead of enjoying the music.

How does the speaker compare a 1997 Styx concert to more recent performances?

In the 1997 Styx concert, the crowd was fully engaged with the performance and not distracted by cell phones. In contrast, the recent performance showed many audience members holding up their phones to record the concert, which the speaker found disappointing.

What point does the speaker make about the 'good old days' of live concerts?

The speaker reminisces about a time when concertgoers experienced the show directly, without the distraction of phones. They miss the atmosphere where people were present in the moment, watching the band, instead of recording it for later.

What is the significance of the footage from Sparks’ performance at the Royal Albert Hall?

The Sparks performance at the Royal Albert Hall is used to highlight how the audience was actively engaged in the performance, with minimal phone use. This serves as a contrast to the modern trend of concertgoers filming or taking photos during shows.

How does the speaker feel about artists banning cell phones at concerts?

The speaker is supportive of artists who ban cell phones at concerts. They believe it enhances the live experience, allowing fans to fully enjoy the music without distractions. The speaker mentions artists like Jack White and Bob Dylan who have implemented such bans.

What is the speaker's opinion on briefly allowing filming at concerts?

The speaker appreciates the idea of allowing filming at the end of a concert, as done by bands like King Crimson. This approach provides a balance between letting fans capture memories while encouraging them to be present during the performance.

Why does the speaker mention their own experience with filming at concerts?

The speaker admits to occasionally filming short clips at concerts, but they express a sense of regret. They recognize that focusing on the live experience is more valuable than trying to capture footage of the event.

What was the concert experience like when the speaker saw Sparks with Franz Ferdinand in 2015?

At this concert, the band banned phones, which the speaker found initially frustrating but ultimately appreciated. They valued being able to experience the performance without the distractions of filming or photography.

How does the speaker feel about the use of cell phones for recording entire concerts?

The speaker is critical of people who use their phones to record entire concerts. They find it disruptive and feel that it prevents fans from being fully immersed in the live experience.

What is the speaker’s overall perspective on the balance between capturing concert memories and being present?

The speaker believes that while capturing memories is important, it should not come at the cost of fully experiencing the live performance. They prefer to engage with the music directly, rather than focusing on capturing footage to revisit later.