What’s it like to attend a phone-free concert? Here’s what you told us
We asked readers to tell us about attending concerts and other performances where they were required to be phone-free. Here’s what you told us, lightly edited for clarity:
“Jill Scott, August 2026 [at The Chicago Theatre]. They put phones in a locked bag that you could hold onto.”
— Tim Thomas
“Jack White in 2022 at UIC. It slowed down things getting in and out, but in general no phones once you were in was good. I could see it being problematic though. If my parents needed to reach us about a babysitting issue, there would have been no good way to do it.”
— Arcadia Kust McCauley
“The Paper Machete variety show at the Green Mill every Saturday afternoon is a no video, no photo event. It is refreshing to watch the show without the distraction of a phone held up and blocking the view. The crowd is in the moment, as it should be.”
— Jimmy Pobol
“Friday night at the Vic for Gary Clark Jr. The Yondr pouches were in use. It was fine. I miss not being able to take video of the show though.”
— Chris Perez
“Phoebe Bridgers [at the United Center]. … It was wonderful and a good learning experience of better communication for my daughter and her friends. It was a joy to watch her express real emotions and soak in the live music she loves so much.”
— Hope Zawaski
“Jack White at the Salt Shed on July 24. At first I was a little annoyed, but I actually enjoyed not having the device. There were plenty of professional pictures the next day to download. … It also wasn’t a hassle. Your phone fits in a little locked pouch which is quickly unlocked when you exit. It actually was a more enjoyable concert since I wasn’t distracted from the real reason I was there — the music.”
— Tony Scavo
“I would like to say Jack White in July at Radius was phone free (and it was because my phone was locked in a pouch), but it sure wasn’t phone free to get in the door. Literally the only way to get in the door was downloading an app to your phone. So shows need to make up their minds.”
— Don Anderson