TUNE IN
TUNE OUT
Remember when going to a gig meant soaking in the moment, with nothing but you, the music, and maybe a questionable pint? Fast forward to today, and it feels like you’re more likely to see the stage through a sea of glowing phone screens than with your own eyes. What was once a quirky option—snapping a quick video for the memories—has become tribal behaviour, and now the whole crowd seems to be in on it. But is this constant filming changing what a live gig really means? Spoiler: yes, it is.
Taking a quick snap or short video at a gig used to be harmless, a nice memento for later. But now, it feels like everyone’s a wannabe director. The behaviour that started as a few people documenting the moment has become the dominant action of the tribe. And if you’re the person who just wants to be in the moment, well, good luck with that.
At first, filming a gig was just an option. Some people did it, others didn’t. But now everyone’s whipping out their phones. It changes the vibe for those who don’t want to film, turning what should be a shared experience into a sea of distractions.
It’s no longer just about dodging tall people or the guy with the oversized hat at the front. Now, you’ve got to bob and weave through phone screens to get a glimpse. Trying to lose yourself in the music? Sorry, mate—you’re too busy dodging someone’s Instagram Story.
Once upon a time, artists would play for the crowd in front of them. The energy would bounce back and forth. Now, though, they know that what’s happening on stage will likely end up on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, so the performance isn’t just for the people in the room anymore.
Performers can’t just play for the room when they know a good chunk of their set will end up online. They’ve got a whole future audience to think about, and that can change how they deliver. The raw, in-the-moment magic starts to get polished up for the internet crowd, where any off-note or spontaneous moment can be immortalised (and judged) forever.
Knowing their performance will live beyond the gig itself, some artists play it safe. The spontaneity, the risks, the moments that make live music so special—they can all fall by the wayside in favour of a performance that’s more polished and less… well, real. Performers aren’t just playing to you anymore—they’re playing to the camera.
The question is, can we break free of this phone-obsessed tribe and return to a time when gigs were lived in the moment? Some artists and venues are certainly trying. Phone bans at gigs are becoming a thing—Jack White, for example, isn’t shy about asking audiences to leave their devices in their pockets. And some fans are happy to oblige, ready to swap likes and views for the pure joy of live music.
For those who’d rather enjoy the gig in the moment, there are ways to do it. Keeping the phone in your pocket is a good start. But it’s not just about opting out—it’s about creating spaces where this kind of behaviour isn’t the norm. Venues that ban phones, or at least encourage people to stay present, are already leading the way.
Not recording the gig might just be the most rebellious thing you can do at a show these days. Instead of documenting the moment for social media, you’re choosing to experience it, flaws and all. And that’s where the magic really happens.
So, next time you’re at a gig, ask yourself: phone in hand, or lost in the music? One will give you a video for later; the other, a memory you’ll never forget.
