Alicia Keys Not Allowing Phones at Concerts • Page 2

I mean, nothing is going to happen overnight. I'm sure the majority of people in attendance will follow those rules. Then they'll start getting pissed off at the people around them who choose not to do it. The only issue is if the band brings out a special guest, then my theory goes out the window.

 

do big shows like this normally have security that would enforce these rules? I understand the logistical difficulties of that but I'm just wondering.

 

Phones at shows really don't bother me. If people wanna watch a show through the lens of their phone and spend their ticket money that way I couldn't care less. I also don't agree that people can't take pics and video and also enjoy the moment. It's kinda weird to dictate how someone else enjoys their experience as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. I guess there's the issue of them blocking people's views but as a shorty, phones have never made harder for me so idk. It's people's heads that are in the way lol. As a shorty I also don't take a lot of pics/video cause I typically can't reach over the crowd to do so but as long as people don't use blinding flash idk let them live.

 

The customers pay for the privilege of seeing the show, not to use their cell phones or make use of the venue however they'd like. If the venue chooses to implement a rule of "no phones allowed inside" or "no use of phones while inside" then those are the rules and should be followed, it's that simple. The customer has the choice to pay for the ticket and not use their phones while inside the venue or not purchase a ticket and use their phone whenever they want. If im lucky enough to ever score a ticket to Hamilton i'm pretty sure everyone there will be following the rules and not recording the show.

I disagree on the first part, they absolutely should be allowed to do this. This is a perfect example of what I'm talking about above. The venue has every right to disallow cellphones inside their property and you have every right to not purchase a ticket and have continual use of it. Personally, I think the best thing for venues to do is make it clear that cellphone is strictly prohibited and enforced and throw people out if they use them instead of using these cases. Word will spread and less people will take the chance using their phones if they know there are real consequences (although plenty of people will definitely still use their phones).

 

I'll just bring a decoy phone.... suckers...

 

Well of course if that's the rule then that's the rule. I disagree with the rule so that's what I was talking about. talking about my personal opinions on it not anything else

 

I hate that people took phone usage to this level. I've been photographing/filming parts of shows since well before everyone owned a smart phone that could do both. I'll only capture a few songs and I'll enjoy the other 80% or so of the set camera free. When filming, I use a small video camera that isn't as bright or obnoxious as using a smart phone, and I make sure to keep it right in front of my face or body so as not to take up extra space that someone might be using to see. Back before I had a video camera and would use a disposable camera, I had a big photo album. It was a hobby and great way to keep some physical memories of all the shows I'd go to. No a days, YouTube is my photo album and I can relive full songs. I pay a lot of money to go to a lot of shows and I feel I should be allowed to capture some of it if I want, while being respectful and mindful of others. I totally get why people hate it because way too many have taken it to another, completely obnoxious level, but I definitely don't want to have to stop my hobby. So thanks a lot you spoiled, smartphone generation ;)

 

I find people who criticize phone usage at shows more obnoxious than phone usage.

It's like that one person who doesn't like sports who's all like, "sportsball is happening!"

 

I mean im personally indifferent to recording shows or taking pictures, i have taken lots of pics at shows that allowed it. But regardless of my opinion i know that it does bother a lot of people who pay to see only the performance and not a ton of bright screens (although it DOES bother me when people hold up their phones high above their heads to record a song, that's just obnoxious and inconsiderate to everyone behind you) and more importantly, it bothers a lot of artists. So if the venue or artist wants to ban it then i think it's a good rule and if not then that's cool too. I also think it's important that the venues make sure the fans know their policy before purchasing a ticket.

 

Perfect analogy

 

I completely understand artists not wanting people to have their phones out at concerts but I'd rather be in reach if my kids' mom needs to tell me they've been in a fatal car accident or something. And maybe I'm crazy but I find it easy to ignore the sea of cellphones and still enjoy the performance on the stage instead.

 

Yeah for me anyway they're never a bother. I'm short already tho so phones make no difference in terms of blocking my view and I can't say I've ever been distracted by bright screens. I don't really notice them. If anything sometimes I get anxious the person will drop their phone lol but as a woman who has gone to shows alone in a sea of drunk dudes I prefer to have one on me at all times.

 

as mentioned in the other thread on a similar topic...................this is dumb.

 

also people are annoying and rude at concerts with more than just phones, I've been to multiple shows where the person onstage had to tell people having a conversation to stfu because they couldn't concentrate, plus sometimes bands do covers and stuff live that I can only see from a youtube video

 

I wish we could ban dudes with backpacks at shows cause they're the worst. I've been hit too many times with backpacks.

 

So true...I mean I find crowd surfers to be way more annoying than phones...but that's just me. Does that mean I'm going to advocate venues ban crowd surfing? No. It just comes with the territory of a concert. Just like pictures. That's my opinion, anyway.

 

oh no I've taken to a backpack to a couple of shows because I was coming straight from school and had no time to put it away

 

I think it's just unfortunate height issues lol and when they turn or move I get wacked with it if it's a tight crowd. Usually its tall guys with like drawstring bags they hang low on their backs so I get pelted in the face. But I was just joking about banning lol! I've been hit in the face by women's ponytails too and I wouldn't ban those!

 

Anyone can vouch for the fact that venue security doesn't see shit going on in the crowd and their reaction times are slow if at all. A concertgoer will see a dangerous weapon from inside the crowd long before security guards will be able to see it through throngs of people, especially at bigger shows like Alicia's. Taking away our ability to call for help from the scene gives violence its worst weapon -- time. I don't want to put myself in that position among thousands of strangers but if that's the rules...bye Alicia.

I don't get how anyone can be "on the fence" about this. Yeah we've dealt with tragedies without cell phones, and with them, but to say that cell phones are useless in tragedies is ridiculous. If it saves even one life, that's reason enough to ditch these clunky and probably very expensive pouches and even if it doesn't save a life, you'd be denying victims of a tragedy to text their loved ones goodbye. Yeah, it's a worst case scenario, and yeah, it's more likely that we get killed on the way to the concert, but to me, lives and last words are more important than your ability to enjoy a concert.