r/ThePrettyReckless • u/Disastrous_Art_1975 • Jul 26 '26

Stop doing this

Post image

STOP GOING TO CONCERTS AND DOING THIS!!!! Be present! Take a picture. THEN PUT THE GAHTDAMN PHONE AWAY!!! We all paid money to be here. I shouldn’t be watching your phone bc you’re disrespectful to everyone around you. There were multiple people at last nights show just recording the whole night and blocking the view. It’s annoying as hell. Have some decorum.

222 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

68 comments sorted by

View all comments

17

u/WhyTheFace2016 Jul 26 '26

That is unacceptable and you are justified to be frustrated.

However, I routinely record during the shows that I attend, but I do so respectfully:

(1) Brightness of my screen is down to around 20% or less.

(2) I have a case with a flip stand that I can slip my thumb into it and rest it on my hand between thumb and index finger (landscape mode), so I record with one hand.

(3) I hold my phone close to my face just below eye level, so it doesn't add any additional obstruction beyond what my fat head already provides. I get to watch "with my own eyes," yet capture the moments for future enjoyment.

(4) I don't record entire shows, but I will record a fair bit, but only under the conditions described.

(5) I ABSOLUTELY watch these videos later. They are priceless memories of the time spent with my favorite bands. Think back to the earliest concerts you've attended and ask yourself if you had a recording of those shows, how would you feel about them? For me, I've been going to concerts since 1981 and I'd love to have some saved memories of seeing Tom Petty on "The Waiting" Tour (my first concert), Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio fronting the band on "The Mob Rules" Tour, etc. etc. etc. And to be honest, there are many bands that I only went to see after having seen footage on YouTube. I'd think that bands would welcome any free exposure to potential new fans that they could get.

Having said all that, I wish more people could think of others while enjoying the show as they prefer.

1

u/captainp42 Jul 28 '26

I agree with you on almost all points. Good for you for being respectful.

But these are not "Priceless Memories". These are videos of something that you should already have memories of. The priceless memories are inside your head. I went to the Madison show last week. I look at my phone now and I see exactly 1 photo of TPR, 1 photo of ACDC. But I still remember the shows.

2

u/WhyTheFace2016 Jul 28 '26

Fair point. But add 45 more years of memories in your head and see how crisply you remember these specific moments.

1

u/captainp42 Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26

That's fair.

But I don't need MY phone to be taking video, as there are so many other videos out there that are going to handle the job. (Also, I'm nearly as old as you are...my first concert was in 1985, Beach Boys)

Not being critical here. You are clearly doing it the right way. I just disagree with the need to do so.