The issue of Phone camera's and other issues in concert

Hello,

I'm beginning this in an off-topic discussion area. After you read please move if you feel it belongs somewhere else.

So the Eagles don't like fans watching the show through their camera phones. I've seen people do this for an entire song. It's not for me and I can see their point.

I'm just now watching an Elton John concert on AXS TV. He was singing Saturday Night's Alright and he has a slew of audience members around his piano. I can see a little bit of the getting intimate with the audience but there were people standing right in front of him holding up their camera phone for the whole song. Watching it on TV it was fine because the broadcast cameras moved around so I could see him but if I was in the audience at that concert I'd be pissed.

Of course the Eagles don't go to that length and I'm glad they don't because holding up a camera can be distracting to someone behind you but in this case it was ridiculous for the audience who were staring at people standing right in front of Elton John. :eyebrow:

I agree, it's annoying when people hold up their phones and try to take pictures all night. I don't have a problem with someone sneaking a few pics here and there. I understand wanting to commemorate the concert and preserve memories, and I do it myself. I am also mindful of those around me, and it's a shame those that are ignorant and rude necessitate such actions from the band.

The Eagles are certainly not the only group that cracks down on cameras, but they are in the minority. The way I look at it, the Eagles have always been a band who cares, really cares about their fans, and during a concert, those in the audience in particular. They work hard to put on a stellar performance every night. Then they see a few ruin the experience for others. At least in the front rows and on the sides near the stage, they have the best view of people having to bob and weave to see around the cameras or people standing, and they can see the expressions of irritation on the faces of those trying to see.

All that being said, it feels to me that the camera issue is more than blocking the view of others. I know for an usher in dim lighting, it's difficult to distinguish between those taking a picture and those taking video. I would like a few pictures at each concert for my own memories. The last two shows I went to, a person was allowed to take a few photos, but not a constant stream of them. I didn't because knowing how these guys feel about it, it didn't feel right. I guess because even at a show where cameras were allowed, when I held my phone at shoulder level to keep from blocking the view of those behind me, Glenn shook his head at me. It doesn't get any clearer than that.

Es, I watched that Elton John concert last night too and noticed that! I was thinking, I'm glad it was only for that one song, because they did surround him on the stage. You would have thought they wouldn't have been allowed to be in between him and the stage because no one in the audience on the floor could see him! You know everyone paid big bucks to go to that show in Vegas! I would have been upset! Great show, btw!

Anyways, I was shocked to also see the people on stage with their cameras out taking live photos and videos too! I wonder if these people were selected or were from the front row?

I do understand the Eagles side of it all, just don't really agree with it. But when you put it like VA did, I do. I guess there's two side to every story! Maybe even, as Don says, three! :lol:

I can understand not wanting to have someone holding up a phone all night. And now they do it with iPads and tablets!!!!! Seriously.

But I do think pictures here and there should be allowed at all concerts. I'm fine with no videography and no filming or audio recording. But pictures are a great way to share with friends and keep for personal memories. I agree on no flash, that's fine...

But being scolded for just having your phone out in plain sight in your hands sitting down before the show even starts just pisses me off. I was scolded in St. Louis last year for just having my phone on and in my lap doing Facebook while the house lights were on and no band onstage. That's ridiculous.

There's a difference between making sure everyone has a good experience with no annoyances and just being overly controlling.

Needless to say, my phone got put on silent and stowed away in my jeans pocket for the rest of the evening - way before the band took the stage.

My dad was going to be a rebel and have his phone out and take pics anyway but I insisted that he didn't as he didn't realize how "funny" Eagles security was about it and if we got kicked out I'd be REALLY pissed off - at them AND him. :hilarious:

I agree, WF. If the guys aren't coming on stage until 8:10, I should be able to check the score of the hockey game until then. Or baseball game. If nothing else, it makes the time go by faster. The time between 7:30 and when they come out on stage seems to take a DECADE or two. Plus, I've not owned a watch since 2004, and the phone is my clock.

Speaking of issues, our guys are lucky to only have the few issues they have. Here's an article posted in Pittsburgh today about the recent Kenny Chesney concert at Heinz Field.

http://www.pittpunk.org/save-city-ban-concert/

The KC concert was a MESS!!! That was downright disgusting.

Luke Bryan just played there at Heinz Field and they said they did a better job of cleanup this time....

Wow!! That KC concert sounds like a big mess! I agree they should make stricter rules and not such a free for all.

Thanks for everyones feedback. I also agree restricting phones before the show starts is excessive but I guess they figure turn them off from the start rather then having to make sure all phones are off during the show. I'm sure if someone had an emergency they would make an exception.

That's a damn shame. This happens every year at my local country music station's concert. Piles of trash everywhere, underage drinking, throwing up and urinating everywhere. Not to mention the public sex acts. The concert is free, so every loser who managed to snag a ticket is going to show up. I went a couple of years ago because a friend didn't want to go by herself. I will never do it again. Bunch of filthy, disgusting slobs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VAisForEagleLovers

Speaking of issues, our guys are lucky to only have the few issues they have. Here's an article posted in Pittsburgh today about the recent Kenny Chesney concert at Heinz Field.

http://www.pittpunk.org/save-city-ban-concert/

---

Wow! I haven't noticed any of this at any of the concerts I've been to, thank heavens! Sounds like 'country stars' need to shape up! I'm pretty much disgusted with most country music these days. All they seem to sing about is getting drunk, partying, or girls with not much on!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brooke

Sounds like 'country stars' need to shape up! I'm pretty much disgusted with most country music these days. All they seem to sing about is getting drunk, partying, or girls with not much on!

---

Unfortunately, that trend is not confined to country!

That trend is why I mostly listen to Contemporary Christian! The Message, Classic Rewind, and Classic Vinyl are basically the only stations I listen to...unless there's a ballgame on :wink:

Regarding the phone issue, I just saw that the Eagles are playing the "Phones 4u Arena" in Manchester tonight. Ironic! lol

I wanted to post this guy's tweet in this thread, but I don't know how to do it. I think it's hilarious and could be the start of something...fans drawing the Eagles in concert - stick figures even better - and posting it to social media, because no cameras allowed. The only rule is it has to be drawn and posted DURING the show, and you should put the date and location on it.

It's like his 19th tweet down at this point in time. He has several Eagles show tweets on there.

https://twitter.com/BarryBadKnees

Soda - Phones 4U arena - that's hilarious!!! Phones 4U not going to be happy about the $$ they paid for the naming rights tonight when everyone is being told they can't use phones, even before the show!!!

https://twitter.com/BarryBadKnees/st...50571848953857

Thanks TLR!!

Am I the only one who thinks this is funny?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sodascouts

Regarding the phone issue, I just saw that the Eagles are playing the "Phones 4u Arena" in Manchester tonight. Ironic! lol

---

I thought it was tomorrow night? It is ironic, though!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thelastresort

https://twitter.com/BarryBadKnees/st...50571848953857

---

LOL! That's hilarious!!

ETA: VA is right; the Phones 4u date is tomorrow. My mistake.

They are also playing Allphones Arena in Sydney.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sodascouts

LOL! That's hilarious!!

ETA: VA is right; the Phones 4u date is tomorrow. My mistake.

---

You had me all excited for a moment that it was Wednesday already. God knows it feels like I've worked three days this week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MaryCalifornia

Thanks TLR!!

Am I the only one who thinks this is funny?

---

MC you are not alone in thinking these are funny! I don't even tweet and I think it's hilarious, as well as some of the remarks following the tweets of the drawings! I think someone said that one of the drawings had them all without any hair, and well Don does have some hair you know!

They also played in various 02 arenas! O2 is also a phone company.

Mixed feelings about the whole issue. As a semi pro photographer, I do regret not having the opportunity to take good clear pics of all of the guys performing, and for the 5 European shows I've been right there at the front. I'd love to have a pictorial record of my memories too.

However I DO see how constantly taking pics can take away from the enjoyment of both myself and other fans. And it is just not fair to constantly block viewers behind you. Problem is, it's all or nothing. Either you will take loads of pics or no pics. If people took just say 5 it would not be as big an intrusion on others. But to have say 15,000 people snapping all night has to be distracting for that band and the fans. Then there's the effect of the flash.

However it is ridiculous to ban the use of phones before the show or during the interval. People do have lives to lead. Families get in touch, and the odd crisis DOES happen. people expect you to be contactable now. One guy I saw in Dublin had 2 strikes before the show even began!!

That's odd, I never encountered any outright ban on phones at the O2 outwith the times the guys were on stage.

there was an article in aarp magazine about "thinking that snapping a view will preserve the moment". It was very interesting

yes we all like to have a "snapshot" of the guys when we go to a concert but living in the moment has its benefits.

I find people who hold up their I pads to take pictures the most annoying.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thelastresort

https://twitter.com/BarryBadKnees/st...50571848953857

---

MC, it's :hilarious:

I think they've taken it too far. Is there any other band in any genre out there that does this?

I saw the Eagles in Milwaukee and Auburn Hills and we were allowed to take pictures but not video. I took a couple pictures at the beginning of both concerts. In Milwaukee my uncle got busted for taking a video of the beginning of Lyin' Eyes and security wouldn't let him take his phone out the rest of the night. Why did they allow pictures at the beginning of the tour but not at the recent dates?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brooke

I think they've taken it too far. Is there any other band in any genre out there that does this?

---

IMO they took it too far a long while ago. It's only getting more controlling. While it didn't ruin my show it certainly put me in a bad mood when I was harped on for checking Facebook before the show started.

I don't know of any other band who is this controlling of their fans. New bands and other classic bands encourage photo taking and social media. The guys need to get with the times. Pictures, texting, facebooking, etc is the "in" thing and they are coming off as egotistic power-hungry fuddy duddys by having the policies that they do. Just like DH and his stance on internet and social media. Don't get me started. :hilarious:

I've been to several venues that enforce the standard back-of-the-ticket rule of no cameras or video, but no other artists that I've seen make such a big to-do over it (admittedly, my experiences are limited to Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, and Lindsey Buckingham besides Eagles shows lol, though I have seen Bonnie Raitt, Marc Cohn, and a few others who've never said a thing. Chris Isaak actually encouraged it at the show I went to, totally mugging for the cameras).

I did hear that Prince is worse about it. In the past, he's gone so far as to threaten to sue fans who posted photos and videos of him that they'd taken at concerts.

What really blows my mind is when they tell you to put away your phone an hour before the show starts. The first time that happened to me was the LA Forum, and I thought it was a mistake - overzealous security. I told the guy, "I understand that it's rude to text during the show and I won't, but it's still 45 minutes before showtime." He was insistent. When I was told the same thing in New Orleans, I was flabbergasted. That is just way over the top. If the Eagles want to get a jump start on eliminating the phones so the guards don't have to tell people to put them away during the first song, I understand that - but it would be sufficient to have them start telling people to put away phones 15 minutes before showtime, not a freaking HOUR.

Some articles I found on the discussion:

This is about the idea in general:
http://www.popphoto.com/how-to/2013/...just-misguided

This article has some artists who have banned pictures:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/photogr...do-it-for-you/

This is a list of annoying concert behavior published by The Rolling Stone. Guess what's #1?
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...viors-20130114

Here's one from CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/26/tech/s...oncert-phones/

This venue says that cameras are allowed, but some artists do not allow cameras. They don't list who, just that it happens. As a side note and completely off topic, this venue is hosting a Buffet concert and you can win tickets on SiriusXM:
http://www.jonesbeach.com/index.php?...d=66&Itemid=53

From The Wall Street Journal(from 2010):
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...06281834570988

From a random venue, trying to make a point:
http://feitheatres.com/somerville-theatre/events/

That's from three pages of search results, there were a lot more pages than this...

ETA: Another about Prince:
http://chicagoist.com/2013/07/01/whe...s_prince_m.php

I forgot to mention that the Seger concert I went to in 2011 did not allow cameras or pictures of any type and security was very zealous in enforcing it. Amazingly, I had people around me complaining and we were so far back on the floor, we couldn't see him. I have no idea what they thought they'd get a picture of.

The Seger concert last year allowed pictures, and I've mentioned before that even being three rows from the stage, I couldn't see the man when he was directly in front of me, sitting at the piano. Well, I could see him through the tiny screens of the phones of the woman in front of me and the one in front of her.

One of those articles states The Black Crowes banned photos. Not the case when I saw them in 2013. They (the band) even saw us taking pictures and never pointed or acted like they weren't comfortable with it.

Like it or not, times are changing and mobile devices (phones/tablets), social networking, texting is the new norm and while you don't have to do it or like it, you should respect it IMO....

As I said I'm not saying it's ok to film, take pictures non-stop, text non-stop, or use flash but the fact they are slapping people with warnings for having their phones out or taking the occasional pic is really stupid. And while I think holding up an iPad or tablet looks silly, it is slowly becoming the even newer way to take pics. And it's FAR more intrusive than your average 5 inch smartphone.

Gone are the days of holding up lighters for the encores, it is now smartphones. And I'm ok with that - and I'm one of the biggest stuck in the past classic rock fans you'll find. This is one of the only things were I think the Eagles could take some cues from newer bands as well as their contemporaries - welcome the new era of social media not just for concertgoers taking pictures but as a way to connect with fans and also share news.

I welcome new technology with open arms and I think to be that stuck in the past only makes them look bad.

The Beacon doesn't allow photos regardless of who the artist is:
http://www.beacontheatre.com/faq.html

Yeah, some venues are really hardcore - some will not even let you bring cameras in to the venue, much less take photos with them. I had to go back to the car with mine one time in 2003. I forget which venue.... maybe it was the one in Columbus... I went to so many Mac shows that year, lol. Indeed, I got harassed by security in Moline, IL at another Fleetwood Mac concert for taking photos thanks to vigorous policy enforcement by a venue. The Toyota Center in Houston won't let you bring cameras in. The list goes on and on.

The phones are more problematic because they have camera functionality, but banning them from venues is out of the question. They're too much a part of people's lives. Can you imagine a venue turning away everyoneone who came to the door with a cell phone? "Take that back to your car. No phones allowed." They'd be saying that to THOUSANDS of people. It would be a fiasco.

Venues banning cameras is nothing new. However, I think the difference is that what people begrudgingly accept as a corporate venue policy becomes harder to swallow when it's band policy. Logistically, it's the same; it's just different on an emotional level.

Agreed.

I just went to a concert at Highland Ballroom in the city. The artist Beth Hart was phenomenal but the picture and video taking was out of hand!! People were taking group shots in front of the stage as the artist was performing!! I'm glad there are some venues that ban it.

An article that quasi-explains one of the most annoying concert experiences... Free Bird.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/yelli...edium=referral

This is the first I've heard about Eagles concert security forcing you to put your phone away 30 minutes to an hour before showtime. The Eagles, or their individual band members, have done things to tick me off in the past, but this takes the cake. I agree with WF - they are on some kind of power trip to do this. What other reason is there?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prettymaid

This is the first I've heard about Eagles concert security forcing you to put your phone away 30 minutes to an hour before showtime. The Eagles, or their individual band members, have done things to tick me off in the past, but this takes the cake. I agree with WF - they are on some kind of power trip to do this. What other reason is there?

---

My husband is of the opinion that when you buy a ticket to an Eagles concert you are entering into a contract whereby the venue becomes 'theirs' & they set the terms & conditions on the night of the show. This presumably includes the right to tell you to turn off your phone before showtime. I thought this was drawing a long bow but that is one way of looking at it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Freypower

My husband is of the opinion that when you buy a ticket to an Eagles concert you are entering into a contract whereby the venue becomes 'theirs' & they set the terms & conditions on the night of the show. This presumably includes the right to tell you to turn off your phone before showtime. I thought this was drawing a long bow but that is one way of looking at it.

---

My understanding is that it is not the venue, nor it's personnel, that is setting this 'term and condition', but rather the Eagles and their staff. The person who comes out to state the 'standing rule' is definitely with the band - not the venue. I've had the pleasure :yuck: of meeting that guy.

ETA: FP, I just realized I misread your post. I understand what your husband is saying. Either way, I think it's bull:censored:

I've seen this happen at a lot of concerts, so I guess our band isn't alone in this. We'd all love to have pictures of them but then someone would go too far and boom, it's in a tabloid or somewhere else. Also I would image if there are flashes that it may interrupt their train of thought or music.