Does anyone know if we can take cameras and/or mobile phones into the concert?

I think the tickets say cameras aren't allowed. They probably can't stop you taking a phone in, but they might stop you using it to take photos during the show.

At Brixton Academy about ten years ago, everyone was searched and all cameras had to be checked in the cloakroom otherwise you weren't admitted. It was a real hassle getting them back afterwards.

I wouldn't bother taking a camera if I were you, unless you read reports from earlier shows here saying the security is really lax.

I agree - safer not to take cameras in the first place. As if they do take them off you it could be a nightmare getting them back. A lot of the latest mobiles have great cameras anyway and they won't be taken from you.

Back to Brixton - i did manage to take a camera in - but the results were so poor because it was so dark that it wasn't worth it anyway!

FunkyAphrodite said:

You really need to have a quick search on how to take photos at shows. Basic advice is to turn off the flash (how far do you really think that little bulb will reach?) and set your ISO to its highest setting (depending on your camera of course). You pictures will be more grainy but you'll get the shots you need

They won't be able to stop mobile phones going in but they were pretty strict on the ONA tour in 2002 in London. I think there were delays with some of the shows starting because security were being so thorough with their checks.

leecaldon said:

Yes , it was easy to search people at a theatre with only 4000 people, they cant do it at the 02 . Anyway I've seen loads of videoclips on youtube of him at the Target Center from mobile phones!

leecaldon said:

hardly anyone had mobile phones in those days, and it was only the npgmc members who were strip searched by security on the way to the soundcheck

now as they are so popular, and most phones have that facility, they can't realistically enforce the ban, apart from at paisley park where there are so many rules you have to be a lawyer not to break them

prince has even mentioned things like "get your cellphones out and call home, tell them this is funky" and at one show he spoke to someone on a fans cellphone from the stage

normally venues don't mind if you use a normal camera that can't be used for professional shots, but if you start bringing SLR cameras thats another story. a small digital camera is easy hidden in your pants tent or womans handbag underneath all the crap they carry in there

I've found security at Wembley (both the arena and the new stadium) go through every bag, so you can't assume that they won't bother just because there's a lot of people at the O2. Live Earth started with half the audience still outside because it took so long to get inside, but that didn't stop them checking every bag.

Prince's problem is, I think, with flash rather than cameras and mobile phones don't use flash. So he's probably not that fussed about mobiles. But I've seen people at non-Prince concerts get approached by security the moment they hold up a phone. And it's a rule of the O2 venue (not just this show) that unauthorised cameras are not allowed.

Prince doesn't allow cameras in his concerts but folks sneak em in anyway.

Its part of my holiday so I plan on trying to get my camera in. Luckily its quite small. Supposed to fit in an Altoids tin. Maybe its time to find out.