#1084: Ghost’s No Cell-Phone Zone

RECORD STORE TALES #1084: Ghost’s No Cell-Phone Zone

Those of us over a certain age, don’t we all long for the old days?  Wouldn’t it be nice to see an arena full of cigarette lighters instead of cell phones for a change?  Ozzy used to scream to the audience:  “Let me see your cigarette lighters!”  Does anyone ever command an audience to raise their cell phones?

I kid, of course.  The real issue is that some bands today, such as Ghost, don’t want to see a show being filmed and uploaded to YouTube.  I get it.  Bootlegging is far more ubiquitous than it was when I was in my 20s.  Back then, if you had the balls, you could try to a record a show yourself, like my sister’s friend did with the Barenaked Ladies in the 90s with a mono microcassette recorder.  They were able to get a few unreleased BNL cult classics on tape that way.  It sounded like shit, but they had it.  It was easy to sneak in the tape recorder, but you had to flip the tape and make sure you had fresh batteries in there.  Not to mention, you had to actually own a small tape recorder, which not everyone did!  Today virtually everyone has a cell phone, and virtually every cell phone has a hi-def camera built in.  You can even record in stereo on some.

Presumably for this reason, Ghost have initiated a No Cell-Phone Zone at their concerts.

The comments on this news were predictable.  “I have no problem with this,” said one troll, “since I have no desire to see Ghost.”

What about someone like me?  I am a full-time caregiver.  My wife has uncontrolled epilepsy and would not be at a concert of any kind with me.  I get a call, I leave.  That’s it.  I need my phone.

Here’s how it works.

Upon entry, your phone will be placed in a Yondr pouch, and locked.  You take the pouch and phone with you, pocket it, and enjoy the show.  After the show, you can unlock the pouch at an unlocking station.  How many of these are available, and where they are exactly, is not clear from the Ghost press release.  As long as these are plentiful and easy to access, this situation is not too bad.

If I got an emergency call mid-show, I could feel the vibrations, but I would not be able to answer.  However I would be able to step out, unlock my phone, and call back.

If the call turned out to be another air-duct cleaning company, or another scam, I would be pissed off that I exited the show to check my phone.  I wouldn’t have a choice.  If it rings, it could be an emergency.  That’s just my life.  That’s just how my life works and has worked for 15 years.

Although this scheme is something that seems new and therefore scary and threatening, it does seem to be workable.  You can feel your phone vibrate through the pouch, and still know your phone is getting a call.  What happens after that is up to you.  In my case, I would need to know what it was, and chances are, I’ll miss a song because of some stupid scam call.  In most cases, people will not check their phones at all, and just keep enjoying the show.

No cell phones waving in the air in front of you.  It doesn’t seem so bad.

The main factors are two:  the unlocking stations must be numerous, and easy to access.  Otherwise I’d have problems with this plan.

I’m cautiously on Ghost’s side with this one.  It will be interesting to see which bands adopt this, and who are opposed.

Could be interesting!

39 comments

  1. “Does anyone ever command an audience to raise their cell phones?”‘

    I remember seeing Weird Al Yankovic in 2010, and he has a song called “Cell Phones” where he instructed everyone in the crowd to raise their cell phones. Other than that, I can’t say I’ve ever heard it. It stemmed from a parody interview he did with Michael Stipe.

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      1. I’m not sure I ever mentioned it before. I know Harrison is a big fan, so maybe I told him. Al was great. One of the best concerts I’ve ever attended. Maybe the single best. He pulled out all the stops.

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  2. The policy certainly doesn’t take into account carers, for sure.

    One thing that might help in your case with regards to ONLY emergency calls coming through. On the iPhone you can set a do not disturb that blocks all calls/texts/notifications EXCEPT from specified contacts in your phone book. This way you bar all comms expect for the important ones.

    Might be worth looking into if you have an iPhone or if your phone model has a similar function.

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  3. For me, I’d be okay with it, but you are right, there needs to be numerous stations to unlock and at an arena with 20,000 people, I could see the lines being extremely long. My only problem, if I’m reviewing a show, I can’t take notes without my phone and my memory sucks.

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    2. It really not that bad. You put the phone into the bag when they are checking your tickets. They then have people all over to unlock your phone, then you toss the bag into a bin. The time it takes is the equivalent to someone handing out pamphlets on your way out, so there is no line up after the show.

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  4. You can set your phone to only ring with certain contacts. I do this at night because Sarah’s parents are elderly we need to be on call. I also don’t want some random person drunk texting me at 2AM, lol

    I did this for the two Jack White shows I went to that required the phones be put into a bag. Bill used his smart watch so he could still receive texts from his kids.

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        3. Well, keep in mind, this is all theoretical in my case. A couple weeks ago I posted about why I don’t go to many concerts. In 2024, I hope to see some small shows, in smaller venues. Baby steps!

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  5. This is one I’m going to have to think about. Yes, I know how annoying people sticking their phone up in front of your face can be, very annoying. What is worse is people recording the entire show. I would never do that, I want to enjoy it as I see it. However, I will record short snippets of a show, just so people on 80smetalman can see what I experienced. It’s nice to share.

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      1. Yeah my phone is a part of me. It holds everything (all financial cards) and more. I wouldn’t put in a locker.

        Then again I don’t take it out at concerts as I don’t really care about storing digital mementos. I like to verbalize it instead

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  7. I think it’s a great idea. Live life in the moment rather than record it and never rewatch it ever again sort of thing. I have, however, been to shows where the artist, even as recently as this summer, has suggested to their audience to pull out their phones to put on the flashlights and you get a mass of flashlights rather than lighters.

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  8. Personally, I’m not a fan of this policy because if the stations aren’t organized properly, it would be a big mess for workers and the concert goers to deal with. Plus, I use my phone to take pictures and short videos for my blog. I think it’s annoying when people record entire shows on their phone, but those videos come in handy for people that can’t afford to see the shows in-person.

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    1. As long as the stations are numerous and easy to access, I’ve decided this is OK. We have to remember, we do not have the “right” to take pictures or videos of anything we want. Just ask Jen’s uncle!

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      1. I do see your point. Filming and taking pictures of any show can be distracting and take away from the experience of being at a show. I do remember hearing about The Eagles not allowing fans to tale photos or videos of their shows.

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