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

[Glennsallnighter]

I would have liked to check in with my kids before the show started on the Saturday night in Dublin, but we all just got a dirty look from security if we as much as took out the phone.

[WalshFan88]

I would have liked to check in with my kids before the show started on the Saturday night in Dublin, but we all just got a dirty look from security if we as much as took out the phone.

That sucks GA. For a guy like me, that messes up the whole fun vibe of going to a concert. I'll still enjoy the show but it puts a damper on the opening of the show.

I love the band and the guys, but that just really doesn't look good when you've got security giving stink eye to people, especially people from my generation, the "social media" generation to be exact and making people feel intimidated. And then you've got Don going on about social media.

I know when I saw the band in St. Louis it started off on the wrong foot with some lady saying "the black shirts" are coming if you use your phone, put your phone away. I did, but with a grimaced face to let them know I wasn't pleased. It really made me mad. I'm not one to make a scene, but I have my ways of letting people know when I'm not pleased, more through subtle gestures.

I'm just so used to high energy rock shows and bands that welcome social media and heck, even POSE while you are taking a picture. I'm a classic rock fan and I love older rock music but I have to say, some (definitely not all) of those artists are such fuddy duddys. And I think our guys are at the top of the list.

Look, I'm not advocating recording or stealing of intellectual property. I'm not advocating that. I've never ONCE recorded audio or video at show, I swear my life on that (although I have watched them).

But take some pictures and post to social media? You bet. This is 2015, not 1975. Get with the times guys! And while it's not good for younger fans, more and more middle aged people are getting into smartphones and social media and texting and it's a beautiful thing. So not only are they alienating younger/newer fans of the band, but perhaps some of their main fanbase as well.

Oh well. At least Don has a Facebook and YouTube page now! We just need to get him on Twitter and for him to realize that it isn't the bad boogieman he makes it out to be!

[Topkat]

At the WHO concert Roger Daltry requested people not smoke pot as he has become very sick from it, as I believe he had some throat issues or cancer a few years back. ....Well, people could not even respect that request, as the place was reeking of pot & I saw several people lighting up. We were told as we entered the venue that people would be thrown out if caught smoking weed.

There is just no controlling people these days, Phones, pot, videos, whatever!
It does annoy me when people are filming & holding a camera up for a long time & block my view, but being 5'2' even when people stand up, I can't see that well. I have come to accept this is a concert & things will go on. I don't recall if I was this fussy about it as a teen going to shows, but the shows have gotten a LOT more expensive than back then & I guess getting older has something to do with it...LOL

[Zanny Kingston]

I wanted to weigh in on this one as I am really of mixed opinion on the issue.
I have now been to about 5 shows on the HOTE tour and the Buffalo Show I was at this past Saturday night ( 7/1 was the first time I really saw the security in action over the phone policy. Which I have read about in many previous posts here on this board.
So I had great seats -4th row. Mr. Frey did actually call out a woman who was sitting in the first row center for texting. He then went on to say something like " Everyone ,this is our time together just sit and enjoy the show" So what happens? The man two people over from me decides to record some songs on his phone, got warned by security, and then got asked to leave because he did not stop. Then there was a girl in the row in front of me taking pictures while Don was singing and her flash went off. The couple sitting near her were older than her ,and I saw them trying to tell her to stop, but she did not, she kept taking pictures,, so guess who else was asked to leave?
I get that people spend a ton of money for these shows and want a few pics because its a great keepsake, but most people just seem to lose control over it, and it becomes a phone being held up all night to record a show. That is why the Eagles do what they do. I respect it, and further, I am glad people get asked to leave. So many people believe that there are no consequences to breaking or ignoring rules but the Eagles, unlike a lot of others, actually put a policy out there, they tell people what the policy is , they announce it ,and what happens, people still just go ahead and do as they wish in terms of their phone use. So its not like you are not warned, its just unexpected to be caught and asked to leave as a result of breaking the rules.. It's really symptomatic of a much bigger issue but that is not for this forum.
As someone who spent a ton of money for great tickets to another show recently and had it ruined by people in front of me waiving their ipad mini's and phones around over their heads all night - I have to stand with the Eagles policy on this one.

[WalshFan88]

I don't think people should hold tablets in the air, that's silly. Besides, iPads have WORSE cameras than iPhones despite being bigger screens.

I always turn flash OFF - I wouldn't like being blinded either. I also don't record video. I also don't hold my phone up through the whole show. I take pics for maybe 3 or so songs. I do check social media for responses of pics I post, but not the whole show. I sometimes send an occasional text.

But if I were called out by Glenn or Don or any of them and made a spectacle of and tried to intimidate me, that'd be the last show I'd go to. I'd go to the shows that welcome the modern era of social media, texting, hashtagging, and sharing. I mean so many artists now even provide hashtags for you to use to share for their tour. Some post backstage stuff on YouTube. That's why I love the modern country artists and even some of the older more understanding rock artists. They encourage you to do all of that. They realize the cool ability to share with friends and it brings them more attention and makes them trend.

Now knowing their current policy I wouldn't ever pull my phone out if I were to see them again as I'd be asking for it. But if I didn't know at the time and they embarrassed me in front of an arena for something I should have the right to do (which in my case is texting or picture taking), I would have flames coming out of my ears and I would escort myself out to never go back again and you can guarantee I'd light up social media and email inboxes over that one and would probably never listen to their stuff again. That's just me. It's one thing to send security over, it's another to have attention drawn to you in embarrassment for doing nothing wrong.

There are some things I think aren't good about it - tablet usage (again why use them as your phone has a better camera anyway and as many pixels if not more on the phone), flash, recording video, etc. But I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I just don't jive with the idea of a musical or play or broadway show of staying in your seats, setting for a bit, and not using your phone or taking pics. It's rock n' roll, at least it was in the 70s for the Eagles. Back when it had a lot of energy and was more free spirited and not so formal and serious.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Yes, Social Media is here to stay. I use it, extensively at times. I've used it to replace emails, and to replace phone calls. I don't live my life through social media. I know you say that if you were to take pictures, it wouldn't be many and it wouldn't disrupt other people around you. You do realize that if they allowed pictures to be taken, you'd very much be in the minority?

It's the complete lack of control, as Zanny said, that appalls me. No one can take just a few shots, and they lift that camera higher and for longer as time goes on.

I do hear complaints by some people at the concerts, but I always hear people who are very happy at the ban, because it means they aren't distracted.

Out on a different forum today, I read a review of the Buffalo show. It wasn't good. Everyone on it seemed to think they had a right to take pictures wherever they were, and it didn't matter if it bothered others. I believe the exact quote was "people who have their heads up their asses so far they can't see that if I spend over $200 to get in, I should be able to take as many pictures as I want." They weren't talking about the Eagles, they were talking about those in the audience who might be distracted.

All I can say, Austin, is that if your approach were the rule and not the exception, the Eagles wouldn't have the rules they have. I don't think it's fair to blast the guys for not allowing something you yourself don't even condone. They went quite a few shows with trying to get people to cut down and it's nearly impossible to enforce, you can't expect security to count the number of pictures from a lot of different people. It was all or nothing, and for the sake of the majority of the fans they went with 'nothing'. I think it's telling that more and more artists are stepping up and doing the same.

[WalshFan88]

I realize I'm in the minority. I realize most people aren't considerate. To me it's just anti rock n' roll, which was so against the system and rebellious and free spirited to treat a concert like a orchestra or play or broadway musical. To me it just doesn't seem right. I realize most people don't have regard, but I guess I feel that there is nothing wrong with using your phone at a show within limits. I feel all-or-nothing is a bit extreme. To each his/her own I guess. There is no good solution.

For someone like me who has paralyzing social anxiety and cannot interact in real life, Facebook has been a godsend. It's easy to fake confidence online and live out the life I wish I had online through social media. That's why I think it's hard for some to imagine me as someone with severe social phobia and an introvert who can't leave the house unless it's to a doctor appointment or to a concert in a big place where I can isolate myself and can focus on the music. I can't go to Walmart or anything local anymore. That's why I'm such a proponent of it and a strong supporter I think. My therapist tried to get me to cut back and force myself to interact in real life but I think she realizes now that it's much too hard for me and can't be done.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

That's a shame, Austin. I hope you keep trying, stepping out in small doses, and interacting with people one-on-one. In general, people are nicer in person than online! I seem to remember your therapist asking you to do less social media and more 'live' interactions, but it seemed like it was more of an all or nothing deal. I'd approach it more in baby steps. One small success leads to another.

[Brooke]

I completely agree with VA, Austin, and I hope you keep trying.

[WalshFan88]

I will. It's just really hard and I'll be the first to admit I'm in a comfort zone of sorts, but at the same time realize I'm isolated.