For millennials, using smartphones at gigs has become a completely normal part of the live music experience. Capturing cherished moments performed on huge festival stages, intimate club gigs and arenas become intimate memories that can be looked upon forever once taken.
Sharing on social media is an essential tool in connecting with individuals respective online communities and fostering that sense of belonging that comes from music.
For those who remember an era before the convenience and helpfulness of smartphones, their use at live gigs have sparked what seems to be a minor moral panic.
The iconic Melbourne venue, Cherry Bar have taken to Facebook to propose the idea their to ban all phones at live gigs, saying that “filming an entire song is just not on” and violates the codes of “rock n roll”.
Read the post below:
“Cherry Bar is proposing to ban mobile phones from its live gigs.
Not entirely of course. We will tolerate a quick snap of a band. However, holding up your phone and filming an entire song is just not on.
It blocks the view of those behind you, it distracts the band and it’s just uncool.
Holding up your phone and filming songs at a live music gig is just not rock n roll. And at all times Cherry Bar must stand up for rock n roll.
But before we implement, we listen.
So tell us Cherry Massive, what is your opinion?
Based on what is discussed above, should Cherry ban mobile phones at our live shows yes or no?
JY”
