The upcoming debut Aussie tour from Jack White’s band The Raconteurs is planned to be an immersive experience, with no phones being allowed into the venue.
For some time now, it’s been no secret that Jack White is not a fan of phones at his shows. He’s not alone though, over the years we’ve seen the likes of A Perfect Circle and even Melbourne’s Cherry Bar also touch on the topic of banning these devices.
With The Raconteurs (or The Saboteurs, as they’re technically known in Australia) recently getting back together, and plotting a run of Aussie dates for next month, Jack White has once again hit out at the mobile menace, banning phones from the upcoming shows.
With tickets to these shows going on sale this morning, the group issued a statement explaining what the process will be at these upcoming gigs.
“We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it IN PERSON,” the group wrote.
“Upon arrival at the venue, all phones and other photo or video-capturing gizmos will be secured in a Yondr pouch that will be unlocked at the end of the show. You keep your pouch-secured phone on you during the show and, if needed, can unlock your phone at any time in a designated Phone Use Area located in the lobby or concourse.”
The group also explained that they will have an official photographer on hand who will be sharing out photos after the show on The Raconteurs’ official Instagram page.
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Check out The Raconteurs’ ‘Sunday Driver’:
While this is a divisive topic, with many supporting the decision and an equal amount opposing it, Jack White opened up about his hatred for phones last year in a discussion with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich.
“I really react to the crowd, just like a stand-up comedian would,” White explained. “If I finish a song and go, ‘Ta-da!’, and it’s crickets, I’m like, ‘Well, I don’t know what to do now.’ Am I supposed to play a heavier song, a faster song? Do you want me to play acoustic? Do you want me to leave? I’ll leave!’”
“But what I don’t like is, ‘Is that how they really feel, or are they just not even paying attention because they’re not engaged… because they’re texting?’”
“When you go to a movie theatre, a symphony, church, whatever – there are all these moments in life where people put those away and engage,” Jack White continued.
“And I love the idea of rock concerts being punk as hell and there are no rules. I love that. But I don’t like the idea that I have no idea what to play next. And I need that. Because I’ve walked offstage before like, ‘Man, I don’t know what to do anymore. If this is how it’s going to be from now on, it’s going to be very difficult’.”
Check out all the details of The Raconteurs’ upcoming tour dates below.
Check out The Raconteurs’ ‘Steady, As She Goes’:
The Saboteurs Australia & New Zealand Tour 2019
Presented by Frontier Touring
Thursday, April 18th
Regent Theatre, Melbourne, VIC (18+)
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Saturday, April 20
Big Top Luna Park, Sydney, NSW(18+)
Tickets: Big Top Sydney
Also appearing at Bluesfest on April 22nd.
Bluesfest 2019 Lineup
The Saboteurs (aka The Raconteurs)
Joining…
Iggy Pop
Norah Jones
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Imelda May
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Archie Roach
Pierce Brothers
Backsliders
Fantastic Negrito
The Marcus King Band
Thando
Little Georgia
Benny Walker
Dallas Woods
Joining…
Jack Johnson
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Paul Kelly
Hozier
David Gray
Ray La Montagne
Julia Stone
Gary Clark Jr.
George Clinton And Parliament Funkadelic
Mavis Staples
Snarky Puppy
Kasey Chambers
Tommy Emmanuel
Meshell Ndegeocell0
Kurt Vile And The Violators
Keb’ Mo’
Colin Hay
St. Paul And The Broken Bones
Shaky Graves
Arlo Guthrie
Nahko And Medicine For The People
Tex Perkins
Allen Stone
Ruthie Foster
Richard Clapton
Russell Morris
Flogging Molly
Lukas Nelson And The Promise Of The Real
Samantha Fish
The War And Treaty
I’M With Her
Larkin Poe
The Black Sorrows
Vintage Trouble
Mojo Juju
Trevor Hall
Irish Mythen
Anderson East
The California Honeydrops
Elephant Sessions
Deva Mahal
Melody Angel
Hussy Hicks
Caiti Baker
RocKwiz Live
With even more artists yet to be announced…
Thursday, April 18th – Monday, April 22nd, 2019
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay, NSW
Tickets: Bluesfest
