Do you agree or disagree with the new "no cameras" rule?

[King Postwhore]

As a fan since 1993 this was the first tour we were not allowed to take pictures.   I for one was irked about it.  Some complain that it's distracting.  Others want to showshow their love of DT to their friends online. 

I think it's off putting that DT thinks we "need" to pay attention to "this" album.  In this day and age of 5.1 Blu Ray disks coming out for each tour I could care less for YouTube videos.

So do you agree or disagree?

[cramx3]

Disagree

Not a fan of this at all.  I'm guessing it has more to do with being a "show" than a "concert" this time around.  I'm pretty sure you are not allowed to take pictures during musical shows.

But my problem is more that they aren't a show, there aren't actors, it's still a concert and it's still the band performing that we are coming to see.  I've seen the FB posts from DT about this and it seems a lot of people are not happy about this.

Also, if it really was distracting then I think we'd see this policy from most bands... but we do not.  I don't see it much different than holding a lighter like the old days at a concert (in terms of distraction).

[bosk1]

Anyone who thinks this is "new" hasn't been paying attention.

[cramx3]

Anyone who thinks this is "new" hasn't been paying attention.

about 10 DT concerts (most of which I have pictures of) and only one of them (which was blamed on the venue) had a no pictures policy.  Unless it is just not enforced which might as well mean no policy.  This is the first time I have personally seen DT advertise as a no pictures policy.

[Calvin6s]

As long as DT puts out a blu-ray of this tour leg, I'm cool with it.  The smartphones are annoying.

[King Postwhore]

I'm talking DT bossmam.  The ushers for the first time were agressive about it and I disagree with this mentality.   I'm not trying to upset anyone around me.  I dim my phone, take only a handful of pictures and never lift my hands to block another's view.

[bosk1]

I'm talking DT

So am I.  That has been the band's policy for at least the last three albums (didn't see them the tour before that, so I don't remember).

[Calvin6s]

I understand where you are coming from.  And in some ways the policy can be irksome.  And if they don't put out a blu-ray, my POV changes dramatically.  How much advance notice did they give?  Was it on the ticket somewhere?

[cramx3]

I understand where you are coming from.  And in some ways the policy can be irksome.  And if they don't put out a blu-ray, my POV changes dramatically.  How much advance notice did they give?  Was it on the ticket somewhere?

It's not on my ticket, but I've seen them say it on facebook multiple times since the start of the tour.

[King Postwhore]

It was at the doors walking in.  It's disheartening to me. I want to post my love for the band. If they think I'm missing out on their production I mean not.  I live every note with them.

[Calvin6s]

It would be cool if bands recorded and released many of the concerts in exchange for no smartphones.  It still would not be as tightly edited (good camera angles) as a pro blu-ray release and therefore not competitive with the $$$ product.  Maybe even pull some soundboard audio into the mix.

It would be relatively cheap as well.  People would feel less of a need to have the constant smartphone video recording throughout the venue.

As a younger self, I loved sneaking in a video camera and recording shows.  But that was a different era where Smartphones and YouTube was not an option.  Also, I didn't have to have a big viewscreen lighting up the *neighbors*.

[Calvin6s]

psst ... post the pictures you ninja snapped.   

[vtgrad]

I'm talking DT

So am I.  That has been the band's policy for at least the last three albums (didn't see them the tour before that, so I don't remember).

Wow... I didn't know that.  The only DT show of the 7 (soon to be 8) that I've attended that didn't allow pics was Score (Radio City workers were aggressive on my side anyway).  All the other shows I've been two (at least once every cycle since ToT) everybody was taking pictures constantly.  I've got a few of JR from the 2012 DC show and he's right in front of me looking into the camera with the Zen on his back.  I probably took 50+ pics at the 2014 DC show and probably close to double that at the 2010 Columbus show.

If I'd known that the band didn't want photos taken, I wouldn't have taken them regardless of what the venue would allow.

[King Postwhore]

I'm not a fan of fans recording videos. 30 second or one minute snippets are cool but full shows I completely understand.   I just ant a few pics to post abou.

[romanticrocker]

I have never seen a band so strict with phones they won't even let you use it during intermission ha one person right in front of me got kicked out for recording in all honesty I wouldn't have boughten a ticket if I didn't see a few videos fans recorded on YouTube since I wasn't nuts about the album

[Enigmachine]

I have never seen a band so strict with phones they won't even let you use it during intermission

Ok, I think that that is an unneccesary. However, I completely agree with having the no phone rule during the performance.

[DragonAttack]

I am not opposed to taking a few pictures (I've 'snuck' in my small share in the past).  It's how and when people do it.  One can do so from an outside aisle.  I've been in the side balcony in DC a couple of times, and waited for near the end of the show, as did many others.  I do so with a camera with a very small viewing screen.

Balto 2007.  I remember nudging the woman next to me one time about the policy for that show.  Five minutes later, she started videotaping again.  Five minutes later, she was escorted out.

We were at MSG last Friday for a Billy Joel concert (damn, was he good).  My wife took three pix during it. I don't know how many times a couple of drunk women in front of us raised their cell up, in effect obscuring our view of the stage, to shoot 30 seconds of video.  Then pictures, selfies (I hope they caught me flipping them the bird), read their fbook, etc.  As well as others in front of them. The guy next to me must have taken 50 pix, and then posted to fbook every time.  I wanted to strangle them all.

Wish venues would have 'designated areas'.  Then those that wanted pix and videos could do so at their heart's content.  Let others take pix during the first and last song, with no distractions during the rest of the show.

[Enigmachine]

Wish venues would have 'designated areas'.  Then those that wanted pix and videos could do so at their heart's content.  Let others take pix during the first and last song, with no distractions during the rest of the show.

Hell yes. The best solution.

[romanticrocker]

I have never seen a band so strict with phones they won't even let you use it during intermission

Ok, I think that that is an unneccesary. However, I completely agree with having the no phone rule during the performance.

Ha don't get why we couldn't even text during intermission made no sense I do get why no phones are allowed during the show but on the other hand it is free exposure

[bosk1]

Last DT show I went to (DT12 tour), I was pretty much right up front.  There was only a girl between me and the front rail.  She was talking a lot of pics and video, but security were trying to keep a lid on it.  She would wait for them to go off to one side or the other and then pull out her phone and start rolling.  It became a little game.  I would tap her or whisper to her when security started coming back our direction, and she would quickly conceal it.  This went on pretty much the entire show. 

[BlobVanDam]

I don't think there should be a problem with the odd photo and very brief video, as long as it's not disturbing or blocking the people around you. If someone is holding up their phone for a good couple of minutes recording or taking photos excessively, it can be disruptive. Basically I think it should be entirely at the discretion of security, not such a rigid rule. I don't think there's a good reason for a blanket ban if people are being reasonable about it.

[cramx3]

I have never seen a band so strict with phones they won't even let you use it during intermission ha one person right in front of me got kicked out for recording in all honesty I wouldn't have boughten a ticket if I didn't see a few videos fans recorded on YouTube since I wasn't nuts about the album

This is the exact reason why there should not be a policy.  It's free exposure for the band.  I do think people who are using their cameras should be respectful of the people around them who they may be bothering though.  For the most part I have not had this issue, but I can see some have and I see why that would be if people are not respectful.

[Tony From Long Island]

I absolutely disagree with any policy that bars phones, pictures or recordings, especially for a band that has been as pro bootleg as DT.    I had no idea this was their current policy.    Disappointing.      Interesting that it has only been in place for - as someone mentioned - the last three albums.      Anything different about the band from the last three albums?   hmmmm

[King Postwhore]

I don't think there should be a problem with the odd photo and very brief video, as long as it's not disturbing or blocking the people around you. If someone is holding up their phone for a good couple of minutes recording or taking photos excessively, it can be disruptive. Basically I think it should be entirely at the discretion of security, not such a rigid rule. I don't think there's a good reason for a blanket ban if people are being reasonable about it.

Exactly how I feel.

[mikeyd23]

In general, I love this rule. Its distracting and silly when everybody at a show is trying to take pics or video on their phone. I personally never do, I'd rather watch the show I paid to see. So for me personally, I'm cool with this. I can understand why other aren't though.

[romanticrocker]

I have never seen a band so strict with phones they won't even let you use it during intermission ha one person right in front of me got kicked out for recording in all honesty I wouldn't have boughten a ticket if I didn't see a few videos fans recorded on YouTube since I wasn't nuts about the album

This is the exact reason why there should not be a policy.  It's free exposure for the band.  I do think people who are using their cameras should be respectful of the people around them who they may be bothering though.  For the most part I have not had this issue, but I can see some have and I see why that would be if people are not respectful.

That's exactly what my friend said and I agreed with him and like I said I would of never Boughten tickets since I wasn't nuts about the album but the stage ligths and vids looked awesome and said what the hell maybe I'll like it more live

[Benedettosoxfan]

This is a tricky subject. On one hand, I think it's perfectly reasonable if not common sense that you shouldn't be able to record the performance and you should probably be escorted out if you're caught. But there has to be some discretion here. I was at the show last night and I had an aisle seat. I must have had an usher every 5 minutes reaching over me to shine their flashlight and talk to somebody in my area about the policies and whatnot. That is way more distracting than someone close by using their phone for whatever reason. And yeah I was shocked at how they were still adamant during intermission even when everyone is just standing up and socializing with the house lights on and everything. I understand everyone has to follow the rules, and I respect the ushers for technically doing a heck of a job, but yeah I think some change is in order.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't think there should be a problem with the odd photo and very brief video, as long as it's not disturbing or blocking the people around you. If someone is holding up their phone for a good couple of minutes recording or taking photos excessively, it can be disruptive. Basically I think it should be entirely at the discretion of security, not such a rigid rule. I don't think there's a good reason for a blanket ban if people are being reasonable about it.

Yeah, but I don't know how you fairly enforce that. 

It's easier for the band and the venue to just disallow it.  Then there's no question.

[romanticrocker]

Is it the band that enforces the rules or the venue they play in like do they tell the venue phones aren't allowed and keep a look out for anyone using a phone what if they played in arena would they still be as strict

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

I'm okay with it.  I've taken pics at shows, but if my cell phone was prohibited, I wouldn't really care.  I'd still get to see the show I paid to see, which is the whole point.  I can see why it may bother people, but it wouldn't really bother me.  I had to leave my phone in my car when I went to see Danzig.  No biggie.

[romanticrocker]

Wonder what would happen if every one started taking pics  and recording at the same time lol

[cramx3]

Wonder what would happen if every one started taking pics  and recording at the same time lol

Hymn of a thousand cameras

[Peace and Love]

I agree with and like the idea of no recording or photography during the show, but the staff went too far last night. Why should you not be aloud to text during the intermission? That is silly and excessive.

[MirrorMask]

The use of cellphones and cameras is so widespread and common now, that I think it all must come down to common sense.

I understand the band's position, especially from the "artistic" side of things: "Geez will you stop taking pictures and just enjoy the performance I'm giving you"?... the pictures themselves are good promotion however, nobody sells a (even good and professional) picture, what's the financial harm in having a good picture? it's free promotion!

What I mean by common sense is "Take some pics here and there, but don't stand with your arm raised the whole damn time" as many others have said. I'm an amateur photographer, and I love to take pictures at concerts; I have always my camera at hand, and I take a lot of pics, but I still enjoy the concert. I singalong, I jump, during songs that really move me I even forget about the camera and stand there in adoration, but I never stay with my camera held high all the time. If the band releases a video of the show after the tour makes no difference for me, I want a visual memory of *my* concert, of what happened when *I* was there.

It's irksome to see a sea of displays when looking at a crowd, but as long as someone does not annoy everybody around it, I don't see such harm in the "Take a pic, put the camera away, enjoy the song and take it out again 'cause the singer is in front of you or fireworks are going out" approach.

[ariich]

I thought it was the venues' policies, rather than the band's. The Facebook post about it asked us to respect venues' policies on cameras.

I've also edited the thread title, as I'm pretty certain nobody thinks it would be ok to talk on the phone at a gig.