“You don’t have to believe in magic, leave it to me and I’ll make it happen”- Phoebe Bridgers (As Above from the Lost Weekend album)
Phoebe Bridger’s recent “Lost Weekend Tour” is leaving fans in awe after creating a magical experience within her shows by utilizing mesmerizing light effects, and stage placements which coincide with her songs with one catch, phones are not allowed.Â
I was lucky enough to attend her concert in Charlotte North Carolina on October 9th, after being a fan of Phoebe Bridgers for many years. I can attest to the magic that other fans have stated they felt present within the concert venue.
One of the reasons me, and other fans have enjoyed the experience at her concerts is the no phones rule. Upon arriving at the concert, attendees are required to place their phones in YONDR pouches, which lock phones, but allow individuals to keep it with them. Although controversial at first because fans would not be able to take photos, videos, or have phone access in case of emergencies, attendees found that the lack of phones made this experience much more fulfilling.
At the show I attended, Bridgers thanked her audience for giving up their phones for her, as it has helped her heal her relationship with the internet, allowing her to worry less about mistakes she may make during her shows. It was special hearing from her why exactly she chose to do this, and made me so much more grateful for being able to see her live.
Additionally, the lack of phones have created a more community based atmosphere within her shows. Attendees are not focused on getting “perfect videos” to post or watch later, they are more focused on listening and enjoying the music. I have seen so many videos, and have attended other concerts where almost every person in the crowd is holding their phones up. This ultimately proves that technology is distracting from the experience of having a live performance, as attendees are more worried about the videos they are taking, rather than the live music itself.
I noticed during this particular show everyone seemed so much more engaged and present. During one song Bridgers sings towards the end of her show which is titled “Scott Street,” she turns on the lights allowing fans to fully connect with one another. This allowed for one of the lyrics in the song “Anyway don’t be a stranger” to hit even harder emotionally because I did not see a phone in sight, only the smiling faces of fellow Phoebe Bridgers fans. Nobody in the crowd was a stranger, because Bridgers could see all of the fans, and fans could see one another. Everyone was so connected.
Because of the no phones rule, fans have found creative ways to share their concert experiences with fans who are unable to attend. Many people are bringing notebooks to draw the layout of the concert, and describe what is going on during each song.Â
Although I believe this is very smart, nothing will compare to actually being present at the concert. There were some moments that are simply indescribable, like the strobe lights during the beat drop in “Lost Weekend,” which made me feel like I was truly being transported into another universe.Â
 Not having my phone made my concert experience so much more special, as it truly made this concert a one in a lifetime experience. I hope more artists learn from Phoebe Bridgers and add the no phone rule to their concerts as it allows fans to connect in a special way which they wouldn’t be able to do if they were distracted by their phones.