Sabrina Carpenter says she has considered banning phones at her concerts. The singer talked about her experiences with audience members using smartphones during shows. This has influenced her thoughts on the matter.
“I’ve grown up in the age of people having iPhones at shows,” Carpenter said. “It unfortunately feels super normal to me. I can’t blame people for wanting to have memories, but there’s something to be said about experiencing the moment without a screen in between.”
Carpenter went to a concert where phones were locked up.
“I’ve never had a better experience at a concert,” she said. “I genuinely felt like I was back in the Seventies. Everyone’s singing, dancing, looking at each other, and laughing.
Carpenter concert phone-free debate
It really, really just felt so beautiful.”
Banning phones at concerts has been a controversial topic. Artists want fans to live in the moment, but many fans want to capture their experiences.
In 2019, The Raconteurs made fans put their devices in locked pouches. They wanted fans to enjoy the music without distractions. Other acts have also encouraged similar practices to create more engaging live experiences.
“We really want fans to enjoy the shows firsthand, rather than on their small screens,” said veteran manager Rod Smallwood. “The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment for both the band and concertgoers.”
Carpenter joked, “You cannot zoom in on my face. Right now, my skin is soft and supple.
Do not zoom in on me when I’m 80 years old up there.”
The conversation continues, but Carpenter’s openness to the idea fits with a growing trend among artists. They want to see more present and engaged audiences at their performances.
