This might be one of those times where it turns out I've gotten old. It's highly possible.
Despite the fact that I get ID'd pretty much everywhere, I am actually a grown-a** woman; albeit one that only comes a little over 5ft.
A grown-a** woman who is still as genuinely enthusiastic about the bands and music I love as ever.
At the end of March, I went to see Fall Out Boy for the 4th time (and a year or two ago I completed the Emo Trinity, thank you v. much! 😉 )
I've never quite understood though, why, while I'm bouncing around, screaming my heart out and singing 'til my lungs give out, everybody else HAS THEIR F**KING PHONES OUT!
Don't get me wrong - a few photos, a video or two: there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Nice memories and all that jazz.
But if your entire night consisted of FILMING the concert, instead of WATCHING the concert, then - and this is a genuine question - why did you bother to GO to the concert?
I don't get it. Tickets ain't cheap.
If you spend the concert checking how much power you have left on your phone, uploading stuff to social media, and answering the comments on the picture/video, then why did you want to go?
Isn't it more important to actually EXPERIENCE the concert, instead of convincing everyone else that you did?
Look, I get that things have changed rapidly in the 10 years since I first started going to see Fall Out Boy (and just that number is making me feel hecka old,) technology-wise.
But even back then there were a few people who had enough memory space and internet connectivity on their phones to spend more time than I would think necessary documenting a gig.
But now it seems to be at least 50% of the crowd.
Plus, when there's actually a message to 'please turn off cell phones,' spending the entire concert glued to your mobile is just plain rude. #SorryNotSorry.
And as someone on the petite side, I can tell you that what you're doing is making it difficult for people like me to see much beyond a sea of phones.
Don't get me started on spending the whole concert face-timing your mates. Just don't.
Technology has opened so many doors, dearest nerdlets, but it should ENHANCE your experience - not replace it.
You can't remember a night you were never present for to begin with.
So, am I just old? Where do you stand on phones at concerts? How often do you check your charge? (I swear to God, one girl was singing her battery % instead of the FOB lyrics.) Talk to me! 😎💬
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Last updated: 7th June 2018
I’m on the fence about this topic. On one hand, I totally get that some people want something from the experience to remember and so a video is the best way to do that. However, I cannot have my phone out the entire concert. I will normally just pick and choose some songs that I ABSOLUTELY want to film, and I won’t even film the whole of that song, maybe just the chorus. A lot of concerts I’ve been to as well have a certain song that the artist will ask everyone to turn their phones off during (which makes the whole situation even more magical in my opinion) but there’s always a few people who don’t listen. That I don’t understand!
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with one or two vids or photos! The Bestie always takes a few! But... like... the entire time?! I don't get it! Lol.
DeleteMy phone's kind of like my back-up friend. I'm a bit anti-social, and when I need something to use as an excuse to ignore the world, my phone is my friend. xD BUT! When I'm at an event with my friends or close family, I try to limit my phone-checking habits. I mean, life's really short, and we need to spend it in the best way we can--yes, MAKING memories instead of showing the rest of the world that we're trying too hard to make them. My closest "squad" and I even have this no-phones rule every time we have lunch out together.
ReplyDeleteYes! Phones are fine, but there's totally a time and a place, and why the hell are you spending an entire event on your phone, y'know?!
Deleteyup I often felt disappointed at myself for always videoing my kids activities instead of just watching it BUT then when I get to watch them over and over [and over and over lol] I'm happy I did :)
ReplyDeleteAs long as you're not video-ing them 24/7, I'll give you a pass ;)
DeleteI don't understand it either. I went to a rock concert a while back (I used to go to concerts on the regular, but it's a rarer occurrence now, sadly) and EVERYONE had their phones up. I can see taking some pics or recording part of it, but I'm there for the music and experience, not uploading or rewatching later on some tiny screen??
ReplyDeleteSo... I think I agree :)
Ha, hell yes! The only reason I used my phone was to ring The Bestie when I lost her in the crowd!
DeleteI go to a lot of concerts and feel exactly the same way. I don't want to watch a concert on a device. I want to experience it. It is so frustrating when everyone's phone is in the way.
ReplyDeleteI know - tickets aren't cheap! What are they doing?! Argh! ;)
DeleteI totally agree with you. I think some people just go to these things to have something cool to post on social media-it's like the experience never happened if you don't share it and get your friends to like it. I like to take pictures and videos now and again but I'm not glued to technology-it dulls our senses and makes us miss out on the vibrancy of the here and now.
ReplyDeleteThe odd pic or vid is perfectly fine - but I agree, some people care more about showing off online than they do about actually enjoying the experience!
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