I don't believe there's anything wrong with taking 4 or 5 shots during a show- that's perfectly reasonable.
However, the whole selfie/camera thing has reached such proportions that it's a bloody disease.
I wonder if a band get a 21 camera salute rather than appluase these days.
I have never ever seen so many as last night at Gilmour. It was endemic. I took 5 pics in 3 hrs which I think is pretty reasonable. THe bloke (naturally a hipster type) next to me took at least 150- to the point I asked him when the competition deadline took place.
Whilst I realise that people want memories, literally spending all show taking pics and vids must detract from the actual show itself. I wonder if the primary reason they go is just to take pics for their next night down the pub.
I really, really object to having a phone held high at in front of my eyeline for 5 minutes of a song. I honestly feel like grabbing the phone and holding onto it until the show's over, but sadly it's the social norm.
At the gigs last year, they strictly enforced the no filming policy for the shows; it was better for it.
At the very first performance last year, a guy in front of me started to vid the outro solo to Comfy RIGHT in front of my eyes. I complained- he asked why- I said 'You'd not tape the Pope reciting the Lord's Prayer at the Vatican so don't do it during the musical equivalent...'
God, this grinds my gears to the point I almost don't bother taking my meagre 3 or 4 pics because even that amount feels like hypocricy.
ARGH!.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Comments
Kills the moment for me, but I do take a couple of photos a gig, 5 max I guess (sometimes a selfie!)
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
Benjamin Cumberbund singing Comfy.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
It happens at football all the time too - people with iphone 7s think they can capture the action better than the legion of 4K HD cameras recording the action for TV...
it's invasion of the bodysnatchers with phones.
I have a clause in my contract that nobody is allowed to record or film or take photos without written consent of the band. Works fine in venues where ushers/security can stop them but doesn't cut it at outdoor festivals.
There's a good online clip of Bruno Mars in paris where he tells the crowd to put your f'ing cameras down and make some noise.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
I'd like to see that upheld by more people, tbh. I don't take pictures at gigs because 1) the pics are usually shit, 2) they don't help "remember" the night and 3) I don't want to be *that arsehole* that spoils someone else's moment because my camera gets in their way.
TBH, I think Guy Pratt hit the nail on the head in @Gassage story above - it just ruins other people's moment, including the band.
I think the fact the ban was so closely observed was probably down to a couple of factors - an older crowd, a "folkier" crowd and the theatre setting (it relly felt quite different, a wee bit more polite and formal that a club gig) but still, was odd. In a good way.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.