By the end of 2026, I will have attended six concerts. But by far the most unique of these was Phoebe Bridgers’ current tour, The Lost Tour. The tour centers on her newest album, Lost Weekend, which was released on Aug. 14, six years after her last solo record. Bridgers is also one-third of the band Boygenius alongside Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus who have not released music together since 2023.
After the hiatus, the announcement of Lost Weekend and its accompanying tour was highly anticipated and exciting for fans. However, Bridgers added a twist: no phones or cameras of any kind were allowed at the shows.
Bridgers’ reasoning
Like me, many fans were not surprised by the no-phone policy Bridgers implemented on the tour. Prior to the release of Lost Weekend, she embarked on a pop-up tour that also prohibited phones. On that tour, Bridgers held surprise shows across the country, all of which were announced the day they took place. Fans would arrive early in the morning and wait outside small venues for a chance to buy a ticket, which cost around $50, and receive a wristband.
Although I was not able to attend any of the surprise shows, fans loved them. Bridgers performed unreleased songs and because phones were not allowed, only those in attendance were able to hear them and they remained unheard by the general public until their official release.
And then Bridgers announced The Lost Tour. At the Denver show, Bridgers explained that she had not originally planned for the headlining tour to ban phones. Referencing the pop-up shows, she said she enjoyed the experience so much that she made a last-minute decision the night before the tour announcement to make the entire tour device-free.
Bridgers also opened up about how personal and emotionally raw many of the songs on Lost Weekend are. Some tracks reference the death of her father, and she explained that she would not have been happy about having to read people online share their opinions, whether positive or negative, about her performance. Bridgers said she prefers her concerts to feel as though she is speaking directly to the fans in the room rather than performing for the entire internet.
Finally, The Lost Tour features an impressive light show designed by Bridgers and her creative team. In my opinion, the lighting is a major part of what makes the performance so immersive and memorable. Many of the visual effects would not have the same impact if they were competing with thousands of phone screens throughout the audience. Without the distraction, fans get to fully appreciate the artistry of the show.
My experience
To put it simply, this was the best concert I’ve ever attended and one of the most memorable experiences of my life. When the no-phone policy was announced, I was a bit disappointed. My favorite post-concert ritual is scrolling through my videos and photos to reminisce about how much fun I had. Little did I know that my phone would barely cross my mind once I stepped into the arena.
Online, the controversy surrounding the no-phone rule has been strong. While some fans don’t mind it, others have called it unfair or ridiculous, harkening back to how concert culture is “ruined” these days. I, for one, don’t agree with this. In fact, I usually enjoy many of the things people complain about, such as screaming lyrics, dancing around and even using your phone during a show. However, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for an artist to prohibit phones at their concerts. Phones can create a barrier between audience members and the experience happening right in front of them.
I had the best time, and I wouldn’t change the experience at all. When I entered the arena, and my phone was locked in a Yondr pouch, I immediately started talking to and connecting with other fans. We sat on the floor of the pit playing games like I Spy and Wavelength. People near me were sharing food with strangers and laughing together. It was the strongest sense of community I’ve ever felt at a concert.
The lighting was stunning when opener Alex G took the stage, and I had nothing to focus on except the music and the performance. Later, during Bridgers’ set, there were moments when I found myself completely in awe of the attention to detail that went into the show (details I probably would have missed had I been looking at my phone). During one segment, the audience held up lighters while she performed “Funeral.” The sight was so beautiful that I started to cry. The feeling that everyone in that arena was fully present, sharing the same moment together, was indescribable.
This experience showed me that I do not need my phone at a concert. If more artists adopted a no-phone policy, I’d be completely happy with it. I recommend that everyone reading this try leaving their phone in their car or at their house next for the next concert you attend, whether it’s mandatory or not.