Gig-goers irritated by mobile phones at live events – but only if others use them

70% of Brits are irritated by people using their mobile phones to take pictures and videos at live gigs according to research by Eventbrite

Ironically, the same amount admitted they love capturing the moment for themselves.

55% share videos and images taken at events on social media.

Madonna, Beyonce, Adele, Bob Dylan and John Mayer have all banned mobile phones at concerts.

The majority of British adults (70%) get irritated by people who constantly take videos and photos during live performances, and say phones should be muted then put in their bag or pocket, Eventbrite’s Summer Event Trends Report has revealed.

Strangely, the same amount of gig goers said they love to use their own mobile phones to capture the moment for themselves!

Seven out of 10 Brits questioned said using phones during a live performance for taking pictures, live streaming and recording ‘is getting too much’. Half of them added it got them ‘very annoyed’. The irony is that the same amount said they used their phones to relive the moment at a later date and 55% confessed to ‘often’ sharing videos and images they take on social media.

There seems to be a broad consensus, however, that mobile phones do have their specific – uncontroversial – uses at live gigs. For example, navigating the event, viewing event schedules, making reservations, and purchasing tickets for things (81% agreed).

Earlier research by Eventbrite[2], the marketplace for unique and local events, found that women were more likely than men to take photos and videos (56% versus 41%) and a large majority of respondents understood why an artist might not like videoing and photographing at the event .

Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert said: “No one likes having  their view blocked by a forest of arms and a sea of bright screens. At the same time, the ‘do as I say, don’t do as I do’ attitude that we encountered in our survey is a part of the problem. If you want to be in the moment and enjoy the magic of a live experience unspoilt by mobile phones, you may need to take the first step and leave your phone in your pocket – in flight mode, please!”

Celebrity distaste for mobile phone usage during performances

Mainstream artists including Madonna, Beyonce, Adele, Bob Dylan and John Mayer have all asked fans to live in the moment and implemented mobile phone bans at their concerts , expressing their  frustration about them interfering with their interactions with the audience. Comedians Chris Rock and Kevin Hart have done the same.