Hi,

So I missed the first leg of the Hit and Run Tour, but managed to see most of the second leg, I keep reading of bouncers with high powered torches blinding people with phones. And of requests of phones to be reset to factory settings or leave, type scenarios.

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Now, here are my personal experiences. I had a large chunk of the 2nd manchester gig ruined because of the distracting light that kept being directed into the audience. I was seated quite a bit up from the stage, so I was not in any way personally involved, but what i could see going on was very distracting. Really over the top behaviour. The guy was doing it on autopilot, at people who didn't even have phones in their hands. One huge black guy (with shaved head) in particular seemed to think it was his job to ruin as many peoples nights as possible.

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What do you guys think of this? Please report your own experiences. I'm totally with the "respect the artist's wishes" line. I was.

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But Prince himself had called the entire audience to turn their phones on only a few days before?

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And the idea of being told to reset your phone is shocking. Surely this is against the law unless your have been caught actually filming. Anyone with children and babysitters (a lot of Princes fanbase) will know you cannot turn your phone off it would be dangerous and irresponsible.

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So was your night ruined by this heavy handed thugs?

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Personally I was not impressed, particularly since Prince asked for phones to be turned on previously. I hate people with phones in your face as much as the next person, but it would have been better than blinding white LED torches which kept taking you out of the experience.

And what's the legal side of this? Of course no recording is allowed, but this seems like audience harassment?

(apologies for the layout of this post, I find it impossible to space things properly anymore)

[Edited 6/5/14 10:42am]

My take on it is this. You have heard the artist ask you not to film or take pics.

You have read the signs plastered everywhere inside the venue telling you there must be no photography or filming.

If you then choose to go against the request you are fair game for the guys with the torches.

.

Second gig last night i was behind a really annoying guy who was pretty much watching the entire gig through his phone. It is distracting and for short people it makes the guy in front that bit taller.

Not an issue for me i'm f604.

.

I think the fact that it is enforced so rigorously means that more people take away a better experience. Lets face it ,if there was no request from the girls and no enforcement of the request. Everyone would have a bloody phone up.I've been to eight gigs this year and i've not taken one pic. Do i feel like i've missed out in some way? Not in the slightest.

.

As for the legal aspect, you are on private premises, you abide by their rules, if you are not doing so, then they are quite within their rights to ask you to delete the images or throw you out.

[Edited 6/5/14 10:47am]

Rorywan said:

Hi,

So I missed the first leg of the Hit and Run Tour, but managed to see most of the second leg, I keep reading of bouncers with high powered torches blinding people with phones. And of requests of phones to be reset to factory settings or leave, type scenarios.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, here are my personal experiences. I had a large chunk of the 2nd manchester gig ruined because of the distracting light that kept being directed into the audience. I was seated quite a bit up from the stage, so I was not in any way personally involved, but what i could see going on was very distracting. Really over the top behaviour. The guy was doing it on autopilot, at people who didn't even have phones in their hands. One huge black guy (with shaved head) in particular seemed to think it was his job to ruin as many peoples nights as possible.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do you guys think of this? Please report your own experiences. I'm totally with the "respect the artist's wishes" line. I was.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

But Prince himself had called the entire audience to turn their phones on only a few days before?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

And the idea of being told to reset your phone is shocking. Surely this is against the law unless your have been caught actually filming. Anyone with children and babysitters (a lot of Princes fanbase) will know you cannot turn your phone off it would be dangerous and irresponsible.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

So was your night ruined by this heavy handed thugs?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally I was not impressed, particularly since Prince asked for phones to be turned on previously. I hate people with phones in your face as much as the next person, but it would have been better than blinding white LED torches which kept taking you out of the experience.

And what's the legal side of this? Of course no recording is allowed, but this seems like audience harassment?

(apologies for the layout of this post, I find it impossible to space things properly anymore)

[Edited 6/5/14 10:42am]

Prince asked you to WAVE your phones...not take pictures or video

If people are too stupid to not respect his wishes..their problem.

Rorywan said:

I wasn't waving my phone. I detest people who pull their phones out at gigs. I also detest having some hired thug ruin a concert I have paid over a hundred quid for tickets for by shining his high density LED torch in my face or others who were just trying to enjoy the gig?

**Queue 20 more posts who didn't read the intial topic and act like I pulled my phone out to record a Prince gig**

Personally the torches didn't affect me but at the Leeds show one of the security staff barged through the audience and was loudly telling off a bloke behind me (I was about 4 rows from the front). It was very distracting and although I couldn't hear exactly what was being said it was clear that the man was at the very least being asked to delete the footage (I honestly hadn't noticed him taking any photos/film). For the security to be that far into the audience watching people from behind and then lynching them seemed a little excessive to me and certainly spoiled that particular part of the gig for me.

It was annoying, but I would rather a few torches that a thousand phones in the air the whole show.

A keepsake pic is a nice to have, I took a couple last night in the second show when Prince said to get the phones out (along with most of the audience), and Prince knows fine well its happening and is still repeating it, so he can't be bothered by it, but then it was phone away to enjoy the rest of the show. But I have been to gigs where people are literally filming the whole thing on a phone up in the air right in front of me.

Prince didn't mind everyone doing it for one song on his command, so I think the solution would be for 3EG to make their little speech and tell everyone at the begining that there will be a chance in the show to get the phones out at so don't do it till then. That way, people won't try and seek one in all the time.

At the Roundhouse gig last night, the phone police were out in force which did spoil it a bit however I don't blame them one little bit.

Last night there were posters everywhere saying to put your phones away, it was reiterated to me twice in person by personnel working there before I even sat down, plus 3rd Eye Girl came out in stage at the beginning of the first show to ask people not to use their phones. It can't be any clearer than that.

So for me, it wasn't the phone police who spoiled it, it was those who decided to disregard the clear rules and do whatever they wanted.

DoMeBaby69 said:

At the Roundhouse gig last night, the phone police were out in force which did spoil it a bit however I don't blame them one little bit.

Last night there were posters everywhere saying to put your phones away, it was reiterated to me twice in person by personnel working there before I even sat down, plus 3rd Eye Girl came out in stage at the beginning of the first show to ask people not to use their phones. It can't be any clearer than that.

So for me, it wasn't the phone police who spoiled it, it was those who decided to disregard the clear rules and do whatever they wanted.

this.

'dre

SquirrelMeat said:

SquirrelMeat said:

It was annoying, but I would rather a few torches that a thousand phones in the air the whole show.

A keepsake pic is a nice to have, I took a couple last night in the second show when Prince said to get the phones out (along with most of the audience), and Prince knows fine well its happening and is still repeating it, so he can't be bothered by it, but then it was phone away to enjoy the rest of the show. But I have been to gigs where people are literally filming the whole thing on a phone up in the air right in front of me.

Prince didn't mind everyone doing it for one song on his command, so I think the solution would be for 3EG to make their little speech and tell everyone at the begining that there will be a chance in the show to get the phones out at so don't do it till then. That way, people won't try and seek one in all the time.

If Prince says it OK, then it is

before the Leeds show I was asked to put my phone away over an hour before the actual show started, was checking email not even taking pics. Thats a little over the top.....

MissMarySharon said:

Manchester 16th, two people both using phones on the same row as me. Security came down the row twice to stop them, caused some disruption, one couple had Purple Rain ruined because of the kerfuffle. Woman next to me had a bottle of water knocked over by security man as he came down row, we both had wet handbags/feet thereafter. I refused to let these incidents mar a fabulous night, BUT, my annoyance would be focused on the people using phones. We were repeatedly (and politely) reminded not to, via security on the doors, explanatory signs everywhere and not least by the performers themselves. It is not much to ask when musicians are putting their hearts and souls into a performance. Why not just relax, dance, have a drink, and watch the gig with your eyes only, god knows we've all paid enough to see it. Have friends who are Katy Perry fans, one said to me that the atmosphere at her gigs is marred by the constant use of phones, which apparently KP has no objection to. One friend had her gig ruined because a woman infront of her was holding up AN IPAD throughout. I just don't get it, but tbf, I'm Prince's age and didn't grow up in a world where every single moment of my life needs to be documented. No offence to other views, I accept I'm no longer young and we all feel differently about things. But it is entirely possible to keep phone and camera and all else off and have a fabulous time at a gig.

I am with you. Phones are annoying. So bright and distracting. Why not be at the show? So many shows are ruined by folks wagging these devices in front of my nose. I confess I experience a bit of schadenfreude when the big guards frogmarch folks out the door.

[Edited 6/5/14 21:43pm]

I'm a shorty, so it's bad enough trying to get a view normally. Phones in the air kill the live experience, and it was really refreshing to be able to see Prince and the band with my eyes unfiltered instead of through someones mobile phone screen.

People everywhere need to understand that experiencing the gig is being there and taking it in using your senses, not some electronic doodad!

The torches people are quite aggressive, but if you don't enforce the rule, people take the piss.

[Edited 6/6/14 4:11am]

Security at Leeds was unbelievable annoying. I was front row, and before the gig the atmosphere was quite OK-ish. Security staff were chatty with us, everybody was calm and no major scenes were seen. But once the show started, they became absolutely annoying for no reason. The security area was almost packed by then and you could feel they were desperately seeking for attention, like, on purpose they were trying to distract you. For instance, they started to offer water to those up front. Nice gesture, but they got a bit obessesed with it. Picture this: you are jaw dropping watching Prince playing a guitar solo and then a security dude just gets in your face blocking you from watching anything but them offering a sip of water. Again. And again. And it's not like I (or anyone around me) were going out of our mind, not behaving or doing anything wrong. Still don't understand why some proffesional security team needs to do that, but it was clearly some kind of strategy. That, or those lads really need a hug and some attention. They must put together a Christmas show for the family or somthing.

I like the torches in face thing because it's also pubically shames those taking sneaky pictures. People will then get the message.

psyche2 said:

Security at Leeds was unbelievable annoying. I was front row, and before the gig the atmosphere was quite OK-ish. Security staff were chatty with us, everybody was calm and no major scenes were seen. But once the show started, they became absolutely annoying for no reason. The security area was almost packed by then and you could feel they were desperately seeking for attention, like, on purpose they were trying to distract you. For instance, they started to offer water to those up front. Nice gesture, but they got a bit obessesed with it. Picture this: you are jaw dropping watching Prince playing a guitar solo and then a security dude just gets in your face blocking you from watching anything but them offering a sip of water. Again. And again. And it's not like I (or anyone around me) were going out of our mind, not behaving or doing anything wrong. Still don't understand why some proffesional security team needs to do that, but it was clearly some kind of strategy. That, or those lads really need a hug and some attention. They must put together a Christmas show for the family or somthing.

I was there too - they were really bad, weren't they? Nice gesture that they were passing out a water bottle (they were standing there pouring water into people's mouths, it wasn't that they were passing out bottles for people to take) but I felt like saying 'enough already - everybody who wanted some got some already!' and these guys were big dudes - completely blocking your view. It kinda felt like they didn't have a lot to do because most of the people in the front had gotten the message, weren't using their phones and just wanted to enjoy the show (there was really only a fraction of the phone/camera use that I've seen at other shows) so they had to do something else to block your view ..

The Leeds security people were really nice but they wouldn't let us even take a picture of the stage beforehand! They told us they had strict instructions - it wasn't just during the show, I found that a bit over the top ..

But, on the whole, I'm glad of the no phones policy - I've had shows ruined because everyone's holding up their phone. Stupid thing is most of those videos will be s**t because very few phones can capture good enough sound quality.

On the other hand, I know a couple of people who've sneaked in cameras and they discreetly take a few shots - I know it's wrong but they weren't bothering anyone so I didn't have a big issue with it.

strawberrybubblegum said:

This is nothing new.

Agreed...

Crikey, I remember P's security entering the crowd to stop photography at Parkhead in 1992.

On a personal level, phones at gig's do my head in (maybe an age thing!) and any artist is within their rights to prevent this. From memory, Springsteen on his solo acoustic Devils & Dust tour was heavily anti-audience photography?

I think, in general, people today have an over developed sense of entitlement - hence why they think it's ok FOR THEM to take photos, etc when politely requested not to. I'd rather have the torches and [more!?] individuals ejected than the artist leave the stage as a result.

compare the atmosphere of a Prince gig (I looked over my shoulder from the front of Manchester arena and the whole arena was up and dancing and waving their arms about) to the atmosphere of some Arena shows.

I attribute that total audience involvement in the gig and what is happening on stage to the fact they aren't pissing about on mobile phones- for that, I love the ban, and I love the fact they actually re-inforce it.

This is interesting- Jack White's point of view on things.....

http://www.nme.com/news/jack-white/77456

Re the heavy handed approach, you stick a little bit of power in the hands of the security and they will just take it to the nth degree. For years Wembley staff were notorious for it. The thing is, if people actually acknowledged the artists requests not to use them nobody would be able to enforce anything. I often take my camera along but I know full well who will and won't allow it and would never use it when I know the artist has requested not to (I'd never use my phone anyway, unless you are front row all you get is a blurred mess so what is the point?).

@allwaystired, I think you are correct about audience involvement with no gadgets to distract or thoughts of taking a photo.

Perhaps the guys with the torches should realize that if there is someone filming from your direction and they shine people who are by accident in the same direction get the light in the face aswell. Quite annonying...

it's too bad about the torches

and too bad people don't leave their phones off

welcome to the "I share everything online - therefore I exist" generation

phone companies/providers laughing all the way to the bank

3rdeyedude said:

3rdeyedude said:

welcome to the "I share everything online - therefore I exist" generation

Hmm.

failbook/google/yahoo/etc -> NSA -> militaryindustrialcomplex -> profit!

What could possibly go wrong?

3rdeyedude said:

it's too bad about the torches

and too bad people don't leave their phones off

welcome to the "I share everything online - therefore I exist" generation

phone companies/providers laughing all the way to the bank

Well said!

HoneyMonster said:

My take on it is this. You have heard the artist ask you not to film or take pics.

You have read the signs plastered everywhere inside the venue telling you there must be no photography or filming.

If you then choose to go against the request you are fair game for the guys with the torches.

.

Second gig last night i was behind a really annoying guy who was pretty much watching the entire gig through his phone. It is distracting and for short people it makes the guy in front that bit taller.

Not an issue for me i'm f604.

.

I think the fact that it is enforced so rigorously means that more people take away a better experience. Lets face it ,if there was no request from the girls and no enforcement of the request. Everyone would have a bloody phone up.I've been to eight gigs this year and i've not taken one pic. Do i feel like i've missed out in some way? Not in the slightest.

.

As for the legal aspect, you are on private premises, you abide by their rules, if you are not doing so, then they are quite within their rights to ask you to delete the images or throw you out.

[Edited 6/5/14 10:47am]

I couldn't disagree more with the bolded statement. A couple years back I went to see Fiona Apple in a beautiful outdoors venue, and I was pretty close in a comfy seat...sounds like a recipe for a perfect concert experience, right? The problem is that I couldn't see half the show because bouncers were constantly shining extremely bright flashlights into other patrons' faces, and in the process hitting me in the face, and then walking through the seats to tell people to put their phones away, blocking my view. To make it worse, I could hear them telling people not to take pictures instead of Fiona's singing. Finally, I yelled at the main bouncer to "Get out of my way, please," and he said that he was telling people to put their phones away "so that it wouldn't ruin the concert." I got pretty heated and told him that he was the one ruining the concert for me, and if that was his primary concern then he was severely misguided. He stopped shining his damn light and the rest of the concert was brilliant.