Phone Bans at Concerts

Rachel Lee
4 days ago
3 min read

By Srihita Madiraju Dec. 10, 2025

When artists look past the stage during concerts, many are met with the glare of thousands of phone camera flashes as concertgoers attempt to capture the experience, whether to post on social media or to reminisce later on. Recently though, artists and venues have taken initiative to protect the immersive experience of a concert, asking fans to lock their phones in pouches or leave them turned off so they can live in the moment; the purpose of concerts is to truly immerse oneself in live music.

Though having phones at concerts is a good way to preserve memories, stay connected and ensure safety, preventing their usage at concerts elevates both the fans and artist’s concert experience, encouraging engagement and increasing the collective energy of the audience. The view of the concertgoers improves significantly too, the stage no longer obscured by a sea of raised phones.

“Everytime I go to a concert, I flood my phone with videos and photos from the concert because I want to preserve the memories, but after posting some of them I often do not go back and rewatch any of the videos. I want to try avoiding taking my phone out at the next concert I go to,” Senior Samara Ambli said.

With the faces of audience members in sight, performers feel more motivated to perform to their fullest, knowing that everyone is there to enjoy the experience. In an interview with Planet Rock, Tobias Forge from the band Ghost explained how he appreciates the phone bans at their concerts because they facilitated “a fully engaged crowd where everybody’s actually watching [the show].”

These bans often rely on the same phone pouch systems that have been gaining traction in many school districts, such as “Yondr,” where attendees place phones or other recording devices into a pouch with a magnetic lock. Smartphones also function as lifelines and a primary form of communication, so having to stay disconnected for so long raises questions involving safety and control. However, the Yondr pouches remain with audience members throughout the show and can only be unlocked in certain areas meant for phone usage, allowing them to step aside to take calls. In a case of an emergency, staff members can unlock the pouch in one of the designated zones. Breaking the rules and using a phone without permission often results in being removed from the venue.

While the process may seem overly restrictive, especially for those who are used to documenting their lives and sharing memories, it ultimately helps reduce obsession with sharing everything on social media. Artists can also make more of an effort to post footage and clips from their performances to console fans who want to preserve the experience and they can view recordings with quality higher than what their phones would capture.

"It is nice to record at concerts to treasure memories but at the same time, people should try to enjoy the concert in person. They should not record the entire time, just a few special moments,” Sophomore Camellia Alkuran said.

Seas of phones at concerts trying desperately to capture the perfect frame or clip have weakened the magical sense of connection that live shows can bring. Phone bans can ensure safety and benefit the experience of the audience if implemented cautiously. Through mindful regulations, the classic concert experience can be restored, pushing people to live in the moment as much as possible.

About the Contributors

Srihita Madiraju

staff writer

Srihita Madiraju is a senior at Leland High School and a staff writer for The Charger Account. When she isn't busy lifeguarding she loves going to the beach with her friends, going on long walks, and reading.