Should DT implement Tool's no camera policy?

[Bluefish]

I've never seen anyone kicked out of a Dream Theater concert for taking videos or photos, but, at almost every show I've been to, security is constantly telling people to stop doing so.  Interestingly, prior to the start of almost all, if not all, of the Dream Theater shows I've attended, there is typically an announcement that the venue's policy prohibits photos and videos during the show.  However, when I've seen other bands at the same venues, there is no such announcement or enforcement.

[TAC]

  However, when I've seen other bands at the same venues, there is no such announcement or enforcement.

This is shameful for the band if this is true. (Not true in your experience but if true that it came from the band)

[El Barto]

Should DT implement Tool's no camera policy?

They haven't already? Seriously? DT has the second harshest camera policy I've come across (second to Tool). I have had a friend tossed out for taking pictures, and no, it wasn't Astonishing. Honestly, Tool's policy is far better. The last song of the show he'll tell security to stand down and let everybody film as much as they want. Best of both worlds. Overbearing security for DT shows has been a recurring source of hatred and disgust, honestly.

[Cool Chris]

This thread is an interesting read, if only to see how people approach the concert experience differently.

[NoFred]

Nope, they should welcome and encourage audience participation with cameras….

D/T was first show with kids, and they were both excoriated by ushers for checking phones, ok fine I blame venue but wtf? This time seats in pit and lots of audience recording, and no complaints, was awesome and kids loved it… band should accept they’re multi-generational now really need to not care and embrace the exposure. Trust me, kids just want to brag and share that they’re there 

[Ben_Jamin]

This thread is an interesting read, if only to see how people approach the concert experience differently.

It's the only reason why I am following...

[Ben_Jamin]

Should DT implement Tool's no camera policy?

They haven't already? Seriously? DT has the second harshest camera policy I've come across (second to Tool). I have had a friend tossed out for taking pictures, and no, it wasn't Astonishing. Honestly, Tool's policy is far better. The last song of the show he'll tell security to stand down and let everybody film as much as they want. Best of both worlds. Overbearing security for DT shows has been a recurring source of hatred and disgust, honestly.

When The Aristocrats came to our local venue, there were signs on the walls and in the entrance that stated, no video recording. Picture taking was allowed, but no video recording. There was a guy in the front row recording one of their songs, and after the song, Brian Beller told the guy to put his phone away and mentioned no recording and that the band requested this for the audience to experience the show. Like with their eyes, and to take it all in, and to leave that show as a memory that one will look back upon only in their memory. To them, it's more meaningful to experience a show that way. That is why they requested no video recordings.

[ReaperKK]

Man I completely forgot about the Aristocrats show. I had a similar experience when I saw them years ago in Tampa. They paused between songs to ask people to stop recording.

[The Curious Orange]

I'd vote yes. Nothing is more annoying that some idiot in front of me holding his phone up in front of my face all evening. I don't understand why people need to do this. A quick selfie or 2 to show you were there? No problem. Holding your phone up ALL F*CKING NIGHT? Why? The footage will be awful, and if there's something wrong with you that you won't remember having been there until you check your phone in the morning, then you should probably check your alcohol consumption too, because I guarantee that your phone wasn't the only obnoxious thing about your behaviour.

[Dublagent66]

We were in the front row back in October 19' for the DoT tour and they strongly advised against cameras in that front section.  Of course people still did it, including my GF at the time.  I just put my phone away.  I'm really not for or against it, but I can understand how annoying it can be.  What are ya gonna do?  Can't tell everyone to leave their phones at the door.  Bands these days need to adapt to the times.  People have phones with cameras.  It goes with the territory of being a performer.

[cramx3]

  However, when I've seen other bands at the same venues, there is no such announcement or enforcement.

This is shameful for the band if this is true. (Not true in your experience but if true that it came from the band)

It's 99.9% confirmed IMO.  DT have the policy, not the venue.  It just depends on if the venue enforces it.  I've seen signs at some shows, I've had ushers be terrible at some shows, and I have half/half where the ushers were out for awhile and then stopped, and have had shows with no ushers at all. 

band should accept they’re multi-generational now really need to not care and embrace the exposure. Trust me, kids just want to brag and share that they’re there 

I agree, generally, about the exposure part.  But for DT, usually their online exposure of their live music is followed by a lot of people ripping on JLB.  I truly believe this is why the band doesn't want people using cameras.  And this seemed to only become a thing after MP left the band.  I've only seen a few of MP's acts since leaving DT (SOA, TWD, TSF) and there's never been a no camera policy or ushers at those shows. 

[geeeemo]

So. Officially the band says no video?  Just to be clear.

[Buckeye69]

So. Officially the band says no video?  Just to be clear.

The 2 shows I've been to on this tour, pictures were allowed(no flash) and so long as you weren't doing extended recording video was ok.  A little bit here and there kind of thing.

[Architeuthis]

Tha band made no mention of it in Seattle,  and security was laid back.  I didn't see very many people glued to their phone, and I didn't see anybody that had too much to drink.
Of course at $15:00 a beer, who can afford to get buzzed. 

[Buckeye69]

The only time I've ever had issues with DT pics was on TA tour.  Of course we all did.   There was one other time(I think on the DT12 tour) in Detroit where they said no pics and that it was the  band's policy.  I thought to myself you're high dude.  I had just seen them the night before in the front row and took a bunch of pics and nobody said a word.  It was obviously the venue's policy. 

[pg1067]

I have never heard of DT having a "policy" about this (although I didn't go to any TA shows).  Nor have I ever seen anyone at a DT show be told to stop using a phone to take photos or video.  If they have a "policy," they don't talk about it in Southern California.

[cramx3]

So. Officially the band says no video?  Just to be clear.

You won't see the band talk about it, but it's quite clear the band not the venue is the one with the policy from my experiences (quite a few) and all the ones I've read about over the years on this forum.

[geeeemo]

Tha band made no mention of it in Seattle,  and security was laid back.  I didn't see very many people glued to their phone, and I didn't see anybody that had too much to drink.
Of course at $15:00 a beer, who can afford to get buzzed. 

Nowadays I get buzzed on 2! Yay for me.  I had 3 at the preshow in Denver, haven't been lit like that in a long time. 

[Stadler]

We'll find out in eight days when I go to the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford. I know that the Oakdale does NOT have a standing "no cameras" policy.  Their only prohibition is for PROFESSIONAL cameras; you're allowed to use personal cameras as venue policy.   Video requires venue permission, but since that is different from show to show, that tells me it's the ARTIST making that determination.

[Chino]

We'll find out in eight days when I go to the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford. I know that the Oakdale does NOT have a standing "no cameras" policy.  Their only prohibition is for PROFESSIONAL cameras; you're allowed to use personal cameras as venue policy.   Video requires venue permission, but since that is different from show to show, that tells me it's the ARTIST making that determination.

I've seen all kind of acts at the Oakdale, both in the theater and in the rotunda. The Astonishing tour was the only show I can ever remember there being a 'no cameras' rule in place.

[Anguyen92]

I have never heard of DT having a "policy" about this (although I didn't go to any TA shows).  Nor have I ever seen anyone at a DT show be told to stop using a phone to take photos or video.  If they have a "policy," they don't talk about it in Southern California.

Yep.  Didn't see anything on the video screens about no video filming prior to the show.  Took some pictures at the stage set with the album backdrop at the show without issues and off we go.

[cramx3]

I haven't seen this tour yet, I would guess it's possible they've loosened up for this tour.  Has anyone experienced the ushers so far this year?

[Trav86]

For me personally, I’ve never cared for taking photos/video. So, it wouldn’t affect me. However, there are fans who really enjoy it. Like TAC, who’s been doing it for decades! And I wouldn’t want a fan to miss out on that experience. They paid for their ticket and should be allowed to do that if it’s what they want. The one caveat is that they shouldn’t  be interfering in the enjoyment of other fans. If you aren’t holding your phone up in front of me the whole time, then we’re cool.

[Glasser]

I don't understand the harm. At the end of the day it hurts NO ONE. DT has been and always will be bootlegged. Funny part is most of their bootlegs come from the sound guys! 

[geeeemo]

I was harassed in both Oakland and Denver. I didn't want to take a lot of video as I just want to just focus and groove. But I like to share the experience with some family and friends.  You need more than 30 seconds to get a real measure from a DT song. Anyway I didn't get that. I am not mad, and if the band doesn't want me to video, I will respect that. But otherwise, I feel like I am respectful, even if I take a minute or 2. I hold the phone face level, so it's really not getting in anyone's view.

[Glasser]

I'm pretty sure as far as audio is concerned the DT camp should take a closer look at their own personnel leaking soundboard material. Unless you folks are sneaking your own sounboards in? 

[cramx3]

I'm pretty sure as far as audio is concerned the DT camp should take a closer look at their own personnel leaking soundboard material. Unless you folks are sneaking your own sounboards in? 

Do you know this for a fact or just assuming it's the DT sounboard people and not maybe people who work for the venue?

I was harassed in both Oakland and Denver. I didn't want to take a lot of video as I just want to just focus and groove. But I like to share the experience with some family and friends.  You need more than 30 seconds to get a real measure from a DT song. Anyway I didn't get that. I am not mad, and if the band doesn't want me to video, I will respect that. But otherwise, I feel like I am respectful, even if I take a minute or 2. I hold the phone face level, so it's really not getting in anyone's view.

That sucks.  Hope I don't experience that in CT.  For the NJ show, being in the front, I don't plan on taking any serious video/pictures.  I want to just soak that experience in, but I would love something as some sort of memorabilia via a pic at least of being so close.  I know for the TA tour when I was in the front row I snapped a pic of the band bowing at the end.  Something similar to that would be fine for that show, but I do hope to get quality footage when I see them in CT. 

[Setlist Scotty]

I'm pretty sure as far as audio is concerned the DT camp should take a closer look at their own personnel leaking soundboard material. Unless you folks are sneaking your own sounboards in? 

Do you know this for a fact or just assuming it's the DT sounboard people and not maybe people who work for the venue?

Yeah I'm in doubt about this too. There are plenty of boots of shows in circulation, but only a handful that are in circulation that are soundboards aside from what have been released as official bootlegs (and by this, I'm not including radio/TV broadcasts). So Glasser, what sort of secret DT soundboard bootleg trading group are you involved with? I want in!!! 

[Glasser]

Deleted.

[zappafrank2112]

Let's talk about people who move/dance to the music in ways that don't make sense. 

Lady next to me in Akron was doing the groovy hand/arm/rolling hills wave to everything, and it was really jarring and annoying, lol.  I wanted to be like "you're enjoying wrong," hahah.

[geeeemo]

I gotta move more than just banging my head.. just sayin..