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Mobile annoyance comes with a live-event caveat

A new survey suggests that lots of people don't like others recording with their mobile phones at live events — even though they do it themselves...

Mobile
  It seems people don't like other using their mobiles to record, even though they do it themselves...

A new survey has found that 70% of audience members attending live-events are irritated by people using their mobile phones to take pictures and videos of the performances according to research by Eventbrite.

However, with more than a little touch or irony, the same percentage of people stated that they love to record their own 'highlights' for themselves, with a further 55% admitting that they also share images and videos on social media.

Ban

Despite the problems of being able to monitor the illegal recordings during the live events the research comes after major stars such as Madonna, Beyonce, Adele, Bob Dylan and John Mayer have started to ban mobile phones at their concerts.

Major venues are increasingly informing audience members that if they do not adhere to the legal insistence published as part of their ticket purchase, they will be asked to delete images, asked to leave the auditorium or will be subject to legal action if images or video are made public.

Bag it

Concert goers though are in support of the request saying that phones should be muted then put in their bag or pocket. 70% of those questioned said that mobile phone use during a live performance for taking pictures, live streaming and recording 'is getting too much', with 50% saying it got them 'very annoyed'.

However, there seems to be a consensus (81%) that mobile phones do have their uses at live gigs in navigating the event, viewing schedules, making reservations, and purchasing tickets.

Earlier research 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 .

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 problemEventbrite

Do as I say, don't do as I do

Sebastian Boppert from Eventbrite who commissioned the research stated: "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!"

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