Fans and artists seem to have different opinions when it comes to having phones out at concerts. Phones are how fans take pictures and videos from shows, to make sure that they remember what happened. However, a video hit the internet last week depicting Slipknot's Corey Taylor smacking a cellphone out of a fans hand during a song.
People seem to think that having a phone out at a show takes away from the experience, but I disagree with that. I think that having my phone out at shows makes me remember the show more vividly, because I can look back and watch bands play songs or look at my pictures and remember exactly what was happening at that moment. I am always one to take an excessive amount of pictures and videos at shows, but I have never felt like it took away from my experience at a show.
I see it this way; I spent the $10-$50+ to be at the show. I'm obviously a fan of the artist if I put money out to see them. So if I like the music, why can't I take a video of it? I rarely ever record a whole song, but if I do, it's because it's my absolute favorite by that artist, and I want to be able to remember them playing it live. Given that I put the money out to be there, I think it is my right to record a video of the performance if I want to. I shouldn't be made feel bad about having my phone out to record something from a show if I want to.
Sometimes, there are special occasions at concerts that I like to have recorded. The last two All Time Low concert I have attended have been emotional in completely different ways. The first, a couple got engaged on stage. The second, the band had lost a close friend earlier that day and came out to play for us anyway. When I watch those videos, I remember how music unites us. Every single person in the Mann Center cared about the couple that got engaged in the middle of the set, even if they didn't know them. The atmosphere at the Liacouras Center was one I will never in a million years forget. I can always watch the videos and remember how it felt to comfort the boys whose music has comforted me in my darkest times.
For the Lumineers' front-man to compare recording at concerts to taping of Broadway shows is ridiculous. I can understand and get behind keeping fans from recording at secret shows to test new music, because those songs might not make the cut down the line, which is mostly what the article discusses. But for musicians to use technology like the Apple patent that could prevent recording at shows, or Yondr, which does the same thing, is ridiculous. But to compare people who spent hundreds of dollars on tickets to 'Hamilton' to people who spent $10 to see a local show, and say that they should be on the same level about recording at shows is ridiculous. You're taking advantage of your privilege and position of power over fans and keeping us from recording our memories.
Nobody says, "put your phone away, you're missing out on the experience" when people take pictures or videos with their friends. So why does taking a video at a concert mean I'm missing out on anything? If anything, it makes me remember the show more vividly and appreciate the experience I had even more as time goes on.
I wish more artists understood this.
