The growing trend of phone-focused concert crowds is sparking frustration among artists, with some pointing out that fans are more interested in documenting the experience than fully engaging with the music. Kaytranada’s recent show at London’s Alexandra Palace highlighted this issue, as the audience spent more time filming the performance than dancing. As Generation Z continues to dominate the concert scene, questions arise about how this shift in behavior is affecting the live music experience. Are phone-free gigs the answer to reviving the energy at shows?
The Phone-Distracted Concert Crowd
This past Friday evening, the venue at Alexandra Palace buzzed with anticipation as Kaytranada, the Canadian DJ and producer, took to the stage. Known for his bouncy brand of electronic R&B, the two-hour performance was expected to fill the venue with energy and dancing. However, as the night wore on, a curious sight emerged: a crowd, largely motionless, with 90 percent of attendees fixated on their phones, capturing the experience instead of immersing themselves in it.
When the much-anticipated drop of Kaytranada’s 2013 remix of Be Your Girl hit the speakers, a burst of pyrotechnics and confetti filled the air, but the crowd barely moved. Most had their phones held up high, determined to capture the moment for social media. Kaytranada himself took to social media to express his dismay, noting that while he appreciated the fans’ attempts to capture the experience, the lack of dancing felt awkward. He urged the crowd to put their phones down and move to the rhythm.
Frustration from Other Artists
Kaytranada is not the only artist to voice concerns about this shift in concert behavior. Charli XCX recently scolded her Los Angeles audience for their lack of enthusiasm during her performance of the hit track I Love It. Similar complaints emerged from Coachella, where many artists, including Missy Elliott, noted a lack of energy from the crowd. A Reddit post questioning the subdued response to Missy Elliott’s performance sparked discussions about whether younger audiences, particularly those from the UK, were no longer as active in dancing at concerts.
Nick Dann, a London-based events organizer, suggests that phones are a significant factor in the waning energy of concert crowds. He acknowledged the rising ticket prices that may make fans want to capture memories. However, he believes that focusing on content creation detracts from the shared experience. He said that when fans are focused on their phones, they miss out on connecting with the people around them and enjoying the music in the moment.
The Role of Sobriety in Concert Behavior
Another contributing factor to the more subdued behavior in concert crowds is the growing trend of sobriety among younger audiences. Research from Drinkaware in 2021 found that young adults are more likely than older generations to avoid alcohol, with 28 percent of young adults abstaining from drinking. Meanwhile, a report from Forbes in 2024 highlighted that 13 percent of UK Gen Z individuals have given up alcohol entirely.
The decline in alcohol and drug use among younger people may also be influencing their behavior at concerts. Official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a drop in the use of Class A drugs among young people, from 8.7 percent in 2018 to 5.5 percent in 2024. As a result, the wild, uninhibited energy often associated with concertgoers under the influence has become less common.
Gen Z: Concert-Goers Without the Party Spirit?
Despite their relatively subdued energy, Gen Z continues to be the most frequent demographic attending live music events. According to YouGov data from 2022, individuals aged 18-24 are the largest group of regular concertgoers in the UK. While Gen Z may not be dancing or expressing their energy in the same way as previous generations, they are still packing out venues.
This generation’s insistence on documenting concerts further complicates the situation. A YouGov poll from 2022 revealed that Gen Z was more likely than any other demographic to oppose the idea of banning phones at concerts. As phones become an essential part of the concert-going experience, the result is often a lack of the spontaneous, judgment-free atmosphere that is traditionally associated with live music events.
Could Phone-Free Gigs Be the Answer?
With artists and fans expressing frustration over this new concert culture, some are proposing solutions to recapture the vibrant energy of live music events. One solution gaining traction is the concept of phone-free gigs. Artists like Bad Bunny and Lane 8 have already taken steps to reduce the amount of content creation during their shows. Bad Bunny introduced a quiz for fans to access presale tickets for his Puerto Rico residency, aiming to eliminate fake fans and ticket scalpers. Meanwhile, Lane 8 has banned phones and photos at his gigs to encourage a more connected, immersive experience.
In the UK, some clubs are adopting a “Berghain-style” approach, asking patrons to cover their phone cameras with stickers to enhance the privacy of the club experience. While asking Gen Z to part with their phones might seem like a logistical challenge, this trend points toward a possible solution for reviving the energy and connection at concerts.
The Future of Concerts in the Age of Social Media
As the relationship between fans and their phones continues to shape the live music experience, the question remains: how can artists and venues restore the magic of concerts? While it may be difficult to convince Gen Z to fully disconnect, innovative solutions such as phone-free gigs and camera stickers are already being implemented to foster more meaningful connections at events. Until then, concertgoers will likely continue to watch the big moments through someone else’s screen.
