Mobiles - no place at a festival

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Dave Earl
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 02:11 PM

Well I have to agree with just about everything that has been said and generally would not see mobiles as having any place in folk venues.

However there may be a need to be in touch with your world if there are are important family or perhaps work issues that have to be dealt with and these days I really do have to have the smart phone "on" more often than not - Family illness and a Festival management function,

I do however try to be considerate and all sound is off and screen light etc at as low a level as possible for texts and emails and voicemail for calls.I will also nt make any reply during the event and will wait for the interval

I know nobody is going to like this but I have tried to give what justifcation there is in my situation.

Dave

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 01:46 PM

Just been at another festival where one couple on the same table as us spent the whole concert in silent texting or reading emails. Why did they bother to come, I ask?

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 10:01 AM

From the opening speech at the Globe Mysteries..........


.........and laugh at our farce
But all ringing mobiles get rammed up your arse!!!!!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Crowhugger
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 08:12 PM

Most places that want mobile gizmos off will make an announcement to that effect at the start, it's normally in the same housekeeping paragraph as where to find washrooms etc. If the announcement wasn't made, you can expect interruptions of ringers, bright screens, keying beeps and all. Nowadays those announcements need to be specific to include texting if the venue will be dark.

Rude thoughtless people are always annoying. But I think we're in embryonic stages of developing commonly held expectation for what is appropriate gizmo behaviour in various situations and degrees of formality.

It's spanking-new technology in the evolution of humanity so it'll be a while yet until accepted standards of behaviour emerge and become widely understood--of course even then, there will still be rude people. For now most gizmo users are still exploring how it fits into life, and doing so with little in the way of guidposts & rules. We didn't learn the obvious and subtle manners surrounding these gizmos the way we did growing up with landlines, camera flashes, screaming children, belching, coughing, knitting, crumpling paper, side-conversations, body odour, posture and all the other things that can interrupt or show rudeness or disinterest in social situations.

So if you're running a festival--or any event--and want the technology handled a certain way (besides anything goes), you oughta advertise that very clearly from the get go, have signage galore at the event and an enormous enforcement crew to make it so. If the gizmos bothered you somewhere enough that you won't return, tell the managers/producers.

If audience behaviour in this regard really bothers us, we need to take responsibility for our own comfort and decide whether to leave, and ask for a refund, or if the event will be acceptable despite the annoyance, then don't dwell on the annoyance. (Same as we do for squalling kids at clearly-adult events, or in events where the volume is absurdly excessive.) As with any discretionary annoyance in a public place, we take our chances when asking people to stop doing something that bothers us. Those who truly can't abide this evolutionary period had best crawl into a deep hole and pull the hole in behind them. And take lotsa food and toilet paper, it's gonna be a while.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 07:15 PM

Some of us seem to be confusing gigs with festivals, also small festivals with big ones! Obviously it's very rude to phone, text, take calls etc in a room or right up to a place like the Royal Festival Hall. I switch the thing off in any indoor place where one sits down.

But I do hope we're not extending this to open air do's like Cambridge or Cropredy. I was at the latter last weekend, along with friends from all points of the compass. Mobiles have made life much easier in these circumstances.

Also, as Ian says, if you remove one distraction they'll find another. I was mortified years ago when a girlfriend insisted, while in a seat in the second row at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, on following the action by reading the play from the Complete Works - and moving her lips. She had Judi Dench right in front of her for God's sake!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: JHW
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 06:43 PM

Dave Taylor Gobbin down mi mobile
Dave's site

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Tyke
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 06:20 PM

I have recently found yet another use for mobiles! What you do is to place four or more phones on a table in a circle. Place some corn in the middle of the circle and get everyone to ring each others Mobile. Result fresh popped corn to eat during the concert!

So this just proves that their is a place for Mobiles at festivals. Ok beam me over to Whitby Folk Week Scotty!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Musket
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 11:20 AM

Yes, it can be a bit crushing when you think you are entertaining an audience and out of the corner of your eye you notice that somebody is more concerned with their phone.

However, you can't force people to concentrate, and so long as they are not making a noise or a distracting light in a darker venue, then no problem really. Might be confusing as to why they are sitting there at all, but perhaps it can be comment on your song, so a subtle hint such as this can be a good thing...

I keep most of my lyrics and info regarding keys and styles on my iPhone, as well as a tuner. It also gets used to record things occasionally.

One question being asked a lot here, is the old "What did we do before them?" Quite. For me, there would have been evenings when I couldn't get out to enjoy myself but the communication a phone gives allows you to. Many work related evenings spring to mind. I had a mobile phone back in the brick days and they helped me enjoy a night out knowing I could still be contacted if necessary. Once silent vibrate came on the market, then even better.

I recall one monologue performing gentleman many years ago who used to sit in a folk club reading a novel between his "turns." That was ignorant too, so perhaps you should ask if ignorant people rather than their props have no place at "your" festivals?

I am surgically attached to my phone and have been since my first car phone in 1988. For me, not having it in my pocket feels strange and something is missing. I don't play games on it period and I don't use it without good cause, but if it vibrates I will always at least check to see if it is urgent or not.

So the answer to your question is Yes, they do have a place at festivals because I go to festivals and I take my phone. You may wish to ask questions over ignorant rude people themselves, but removing one item of distraction will only result in them finding another...

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 10:51 AM

I have not read all of this thread - life's too short - but it does strike me that one of the reasons these people are indulging in this rude (to some) behaviour could be that they have become bored with whoever is on or do not find them at all interesting.

In such situations I used to disappear for a smoke, now I go for a long pee - don't smoke anymore.

Perhaps staying in the room is more polite!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 09:31 AM

Even at our local pub Open Mic nights, friends of the musicians film them (on phones or cameras), presumably for their web page, Youtube or to replay their performance when they get home. I notice the first thing most musicians do when they come off stage is check their phones (to see if they've got a new gig?).
I don't have one (mobile phone or gig!) so couldn't possibly comment.

RtS

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Trevor Thomas
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 09:07 AM

"Well sir, When I look at the Sat Nav, it remindes me that Jebus is the One True Path"
"When I look at the Message icon, it reminds me of the Message of the Lord"
"When I look at the Google Icon, I know that if I take some of the letters away, and add another one, it spells 'GOD'."
"Heck, it's even got a virtual Deck of Cards, which gives me a whole nother metaphor to use"

I know - I was that soldier.......

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Bainbo
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 07:23 AM

my mobile serves not only as a phone, but (amongst other things) as a Sat Nav, camera, sound/video recording device, and Source of the Internet.

Didn't Wink Martindale and Max Bygraves have hits with that song?

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Trevor Thomas
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 07:16 AM

Well my mobile serves not only as a phone, but (amongst other things) as a Sat Nav, camera, sound/video recording device, and Source of the Internet.

At a festival I might be wanting to take pictures as a souvenir – is this OK, or should we ban cameras at festivals? At a workshop, with the permission of the tutor, I might want to record examples of things they play – is this OK, or should recording devices be banned at festivals? If I'm at a session that's starting to really kick in is it OK to text my mate who's a brilliant fiddle player to come and join us? I might use my phone for all these things in a festival context.

I dunno, I've got mixed feelings. I hate the things going off during a session (and it's ten times worse during a concert). I've no problem in a session asking people to put their phones on 'silent'. And people fiddling with the things during a conversation is somewhat ill mannered. But then there's the time I remember that a fantastic singer happened to be in and was asked for a particular song she used to do. She wasn't sure of all the words, so ten years ago, that would have been the end of it As it was, someone found the words within seconds using their internet phone, and it turned into one of those magical moments.

Festivals seem to be less formal affairs than regular concerts. People wander in and out, take their knitting, kids run hither and thither, impromptu self expression from the strangely trousered Lone Dancer down the front breaks out, there's noise from generators, the smell of fried onions drifts gently on the breeze, roistering crews of beardy fellows might gather in the beer tent to bellow sea shanties long into the night, while youngsters with earnest expressions half hidden beneath their voluminous fringes will find a quiet corner, and play the most complicated tunes they can, hoping to impress someone of the opposite sex without the trauma of attempting to speak to them.

Demanding that people don't use their phones in a festival setting seems to me to be a bit impractical, and perhaps unnecessarily churlish.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,Mad Spaniel
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 06:20 AM

Turn them off, but then i also hate people filming every move on stage either on video camera or on mobile. Of course they have a place outside a concert or session but during definately NO.
I go to a festival to see acts i haven't seen before and if i don't like them i go and get a beer or move on, if i love 'um i stay and enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: theleveller
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 06:02 AM

On one notable occasion we lost our son at Cambridge because he had his phone turned off. It was the last concert of the festival and we ended up having to put out an announcement over the PA and get the police out looking for him. He waltzed into the campsite an hour or so later with a group of other teenagers and the first thing we balled at him was, "why the f**k didn't you have your phone turned on".

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 05:57 AM

As far as I'm concerned, when music is being made, mobiles - other than for lyrics/notes (if you need them) - are off. No argument.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Tyke
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 05:43 AM

Oh you were such an Angel leeneia you never did anything wrong when you were young. Your Mum and Dad keep you on a short leash and stood over you 24/7. Young Adults do make bad choices from time to time better to be a phone call away so you can give help and advice. Obviously once they are on the phone frightened you need to be with the kids!! Speaking as a person who still knows the words to There's a hole in my Bucket! Think! if you didn't have a phone the would not be able to tell you that they were in trouble! Would they?

The truth is that there is a place for mobile phones at festivals!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 11:23 PM

"You can check up on your Children or Grand Children..."

Speaking as a person who has worked with the public and overheard people having conversations with frightened children -- if you need to check up on the kids, then you need to be with the kids.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: AlexB
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 10:57 PM

Seriously? I wouldn't, but I don't think it terrible if people do, as long as they aren't noisy or flickering.

Who knows, might be their first time hearing an act, they are enjoying themselves and they want to share it with their friends whilst being in the moment. Such things really do happen, this is after all an age of instant communication. Ideas spread, and you cannot possibly know that a person isn't properly respecting the music just because they have their eyes on a screen. only that they aren't respecting it in the same way as you would.

That said, if the phone was glued to their ear, that isn't so good. People should go some place else when they get a call, and really the phone should be on vibrate or silent when people are performing.

But if it isn't disturbing anything (except your sensibilities), just leave people be. Let them enjoy things in their own way.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 08:48 PM

Tyke, you are typical of your name

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Tyke
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 07:52 PM

Hang about the title of this thread is :-

"Mobiles - no place at a festival"

Well I'm sorry but it isn't specific enough! The all too obvious answer to the question is Yes there is!

Before the Festival, helpful getting to the Festival, Helpful meeting up with friends to go to a concert, They have GPS and Street Maps and route finders so you can find the Venue! There is a place for them when someone becomes ill or has an accident you won't find a phone box.

You can check up on your Children or Grand Children no hassle with "I have had my phone turned off in the concert. So I thought I would give you a ring in case you were ringing me?……….What was that dear I couldn't hear for that bloke complaining about Mobile Phones!…………..What was that your outside calling for a Taxi? Ok I'll see you soon it's nice to know your safe!"

As many reasons as you can think of for not having a mobile phone I can think of more reasons why you should. You cannot imagine how much I enjoy ringing my friends up that night to tell them just what they have missed. I can also tell them that they can catch another great concert the next night.

Now don't you worry I will take personal responsibility and ring my friends up whilst they are at the concert to remind them to turn off their Mobile Phone! I don't want them setting off the wingers and moaners again.

PS Just take note of how many people you see walking home especially late at night talking on their mobiles. The worlds such a safe place I wonder why?

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 07:22 PM

OFF OFF OFF - not just on silent - unless you're on the heart transplant list!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 06:38 PM

leenia -

The ushers might have been a bunch of young "volunteers" who thought you were leaving because the Dulcimer wasn't amped up to 140 dB so they were bored with the music. ("Community Service" sentences aren't always that much service to the community?)

John

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 06:00 PM

I agree, DC. How does it differ from reading the lyrics in a program?

Last year I experienced a new wrinkle. I was at a concert by a dulcimer player from India, and a number of people had brought their children. Near me was a boy who had on a bracelet that glowed in the dark. He was bored and restless, and he constantly moved his arm forward and back, causing the bracelet to execute wobbly, glowing figure-8's in the dark.

If I closed my eyes, I would dose off. If I saw the wiggling bracelet, I felt seasick. Meanwhile, dozens of mobile device winked and flashed all around me. Finally the DH and I got up and left.

On the way out, the ushers murmured "We don't blame you."

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 04:02 PM

Reading the lyrics (from mobile / ipad / book etc) is equally disrespectful - but that's another thread...

Really? I get ribbing from the Raise The Roof lot, but as YorkshireYankee pointed out, it's just a different type of paper. I'll always have my phone on me (on the off chance that some big company email me saying that they like my writing and want to give me lots of money. I'm a dreamer) and I've left paper copies at home before (*cough* and I'm too much of a cheap git to pay 5p at the IC to print them off *cough*)

I don't see how using your phone to sing from is any less disrespectful than singing from a piece of paper.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:20 PM

I have a mobile but I try not to put any credit in it, and consequently very few people ring me, its handy for telling the time, and for people who want to text me.
however if i received a text, I would exercise some self discipline and not read it until the concert was over.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:52 PM

maybe folk gigs should be more expensive so people appreciate them more.

Perhaps better to apply the airlines' method. If you bring on extra baggage, you have to buy another seat for it. Make anyone with a phone buy another ticket for the phone?

John

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: muppett
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 10:29 AM

Came across this song on me travels, not sure who wrote it;

To the tune of Eleanor Rigby

Oh look at all the mobile people
Oh shut up all you mobile people

Eleonor Rigby
Picks up her phone when it rings with a song by Boston
A catchy song
Speaks very loudly
As if we all need to know that she is popular
Brain left in a jar

All the mobile people
Why can't they leave the room
All you mobile people
Turn down your ringtone tune

Father Mckenzie
Preaching a powerful sermon when someones phone rings
Some song by pink
Look at him waiting
Can't they say I can't talk now I'm in Church, then hung up
But they never stop

All the mobile people
Why can't they all shut up
All you mobile people
Don't ever yell Wassap

Ah can't you shut up you mobile people
Ah sick of all those mobile people

Eleanor Rigby
Delays the sermon for hours until she says Bye
I wonder why
Father Mckenzie
Didn't go try to stop her habit once and for all
He had no gall

All the mobile people
Their habit still goes on
All the mobile people
Still yack upon their phone.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 09:53 AM

My dear husband complains about co-workers who fiddle with their devices during meetings. I told him about a book I read, where the author (seemed smart and capable) said that this is 'self-comforting behavior.' Feeling threatened by the meeting (who screwed up? how do we cope?) they turn to their toys, which are under their control.

Makes sense to me. Before phones, people drank coffee, coughed, fidgeted, daydreamed or drank water to defuse the same tension.

The DH is a formidable man. I think the juniors are intimidated by him, and without thinking much about it, they turn to their toys, which the DH interprets as contempt, which shows up in his demeanor, which further intimidates the juniors...

It's a vicious cycle. I suggested he tell them that the meeting needs their training and insights to solve a problem for the client, and that he wants their complete attention with all phones, blackberries, etc turned off.

He's thinking it over.


Concerts are a different story. I agree with whoever pointed out how irritating myriad flashing lights are in a concert setting. There's no reason for that.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: JHW
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 07:47 AM

Mobiles have taken over from packets of fags. When smoking was obligatory whenever you got on a bus or sat in a cafe out came the fags. Now that's banned so out comes the mobile.
Dave Taylor's song 'Gobbin down my mobile' is well worth a listen. (I'll try and find and post a link)
Last time I stood in Princes Street Edinburgh trying to watch the Fireworks Concert I was surrounded by sea of glowing mobile screens as thousands continuously took FLASH pictures of fireworks!
Fortunately no-one ever needs me so I don't have a mobile.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Cats
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 07:43 AM

I have my mobile with me but leave it in the camper van if it is a site festival and cherck it occasionally, but never in a session. If it's a town festival i will have it with me but on silent and would check it in the street but never in a session. The worst thing that ever happened to me was I was telling a story and had come to a very atmospheric part when someone in the front row's mobile rang and not only tyhat he answered it and continued to have a conversation cutting straight across what I was doinmg. i did stop and at the end of his conversation which everyone in the room heard asked his permission to carry on. was he embarrassed or what?

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Jenny S
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 07:20 AM

To my mind the thread title says it all - use of mobiles in concerts etc is just plain rude.
Reading the lyrics (from mobile / ipad / book etc) is equally disrespectful - but that's another thread...
And those who think it's OK to constantly play with their mobiles when they come visit us don't get invited back here. They may call it networking, but we call it bad manners.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: muppett
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 04:49 AM

How about using mobile phones to our advantage to get back at Humphry Smith at Whitby fest.

Here's what we do programme our mobiles so that our ringtones have our favourite tunes and songs on them and sit in the yard of the Plough (Don't have to buy any booze) and set them off every so often.

In other words have a mobile around

Anyone up for it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 04:06 AM

Apropos of very little...

At the final student concert of the Sligo Jazz Workshop a few weeks ago, a group of four young teenagers were playing some excellent, driving jazz. The (electric) piano player had his phone discreetly sitting on the instrument frame - seemed to have the heads laid out on it instead of on paper.

Regards

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:45 AM

Mobile phones can be a bit of a curse in any situation but it's a big world with many different people and different tastes and people go to festivals and concerts for different reasons so why not let them read a book or take photographs or whatever they do? The folk concerts I used to go to during the seventies had a high number of women in the audience who were obsessively knitting all the time. But that was, I suppose, 'folk'.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,SteveG
Date: 17 Aug 11 - 05:50 PM

If it's a folk concert surely these people should be communicating with flags or smoke signals, not modern contraptions!

Seriously, if they can do this without distracting others then no problem. If they are spoiling someone else's enjoyment of a performance then they should be told in no uncertain terms and asked to leave. Personally I find people talking during a performance, which happened at Beverley in one concert, more distractive.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:23 PM

I don't use my phone in a session ever (and I'm a geek) unless I'm singing from it.

If they're recording it for the YouTubes, then I'd be fine.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:15 PM

I have seen several people on stage who had their mobile phones ring during lectures and concerts. One gentleman, an older accordeon player, about to launch into a set of tunes even took the call on stage.

It was all taken in good humour by the audience.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:09 PM

I avert or close my eyes, and the things other people do with their twiddly bits don't bother me.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:07 PM

I think it also matters how physically close you are. If by festival you mean people sitting on a blanket a few feet away, then it certainly would not bother me a bit if they weren't making noise. If I were right next to them at a concert, and there was flicker or movement, I would not like it. I would speak to an usher and ask her to take care of it. mg

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:25 PM

I find mobile phones or cameras unacceptably irritating and distracting during a festival. It spoils it when someone is constantly holding their phone above their head to take lots of photos. I can't believe that they're enjoying the act - and that little square of light is certainly spoiling it for me.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: foggers
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:18 PM

I keep song lyrics and set lists on my phone so I sometimes could be seen with me Blackberry in me mitt.... So there are a number of more acceptable reasons for brandishing a mobile phone in a session or gig.

Whilst I experience mild irritation at people being glued to their phone in a concert or session (obviously texting or playing at summat) as long as the phone is on silent then there is little real disturbance caused. As others have suggested, I assume that they are either there under sufferance or have a short attention span.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Tyke
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:10 PM

But but I have a Guitar Tuner on my phone and lots of people have the words to thier songs on thier Phones. Sorry but just stop wingeing about everything. If you havent got or don't want a phone then thats fine.

Get out your reel to reel tape recorder, well you havent got a phone to record some of the music. Take up the whole table with your book of words people should be drinking beer and not resting drinks on pub tables. Ok I'll just take a photo with my SLR and megga flash I would have shot some Video but what with the reel to reel tape recorder and my SLR kit book of words, walking stick, incontence pads (can't stand people who leave a concerts to go to the Loo every other song!)It's just all too much to carry! Beatamax is the future I hear you cry.

Ok I'll put my phone on silent. Now which pocket shall keep it in. I better take care the vibration alerts can be quiet erotic! Oh well I better listen to Radio 4 whilst do the washing up The Archers wont mind if I'm not glued to every Sheep!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:44 PM

May I also add, that if peopel phone me to book tickets and ask if it alright for their children can come along, I always say "If they are well behaved and quite that's fine. It is your responsibilty to ensure that they do not spoil things for anybody else in the audience. If they misbehave, then I will have no choice but to ask you to leave".

Maybe it is the fault of the organisers, who do not seem to deal with the situation.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:39 PM

Well sometimes, there may be an acceptability.

We have a special needs daughter. We do not have close family living nearby and we wouldn't trust many people to look after her properly.

In order for my wife to go along as well, we have to take out daughter. We know that if we didn't let her play her DS, she would want to go home. She does not make a noise and sits at the back quietly. Sometimes, that is the only way the 2 of us can get out.

However, if it is grown up people, then there is no excuse and should not be tolerated.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:38 PM

I don't think it's excusable behaviour even if the phones don't flash lights or make noises. Imagine some member of an audience taking out a newspaper or book during a gig and hiding their face behind it. It says This performer is too boring to hold my interest - though it could also be a reflection on the person's limited attention-span, come to think of it.

Whatever the medium is, silent or not, it's just plain rude.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:30 PM

I would put it in the same category as someone masturbating at a gig. If anybody feels compelled to display such appalling bad manners, they are surely rather to be pitied than censured? Perhaps some kind of treatment is available?

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:12 PM

This year; I don't think I've had one meeting with a friend or friends where I have NOT been interrupted by their phone ringing or them making calls. One (who is a freelancer admittedly) just HAD to check to see what was happening with the business; one musician was repeatedly calling his wife to have her pick up some beer(since when did folkies morph into Archie Bunker with a droid) another had her single, employed and I assume otherwise grown 35 year old son (!!!!!!!) calling repeatedly during a concert we were attending b/c he just HAD to know if she had some spare eggs at home , it goes on and on.

What did everyone do before phones? Society didn't collapse, the business went on, the eggs got scrambled. Maybe I'm getting old and cranky (and I'm having a birthday this week, so lend me some slack ;)) ) but I wish that any and all people who are not emergency room doctors or Presidents of the Unitied States, would just SHUT THE D**N THINGS OFF!!!!

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:03 PM

it is a disgrace, it is typical of the disrespect that people show for music,it displays an attitude that they cant be very interested in the music, these people would rather play with their latest toy,ok that is fine but dont go to a concert if you want to play with yourself.
if i took off my clothes or stared picking my nose or doing silly walks, it would not be acceptable, it is not acceptable for people to play with their mobile phones during a concert, it spoils other peoples pleasure and illustrates a selfish inconsiderate attitude

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:00 PM

As long as the phones aren't making noise, I wouldn't be bothered.
The screen on an iphone or similar is very bright and distracting if the lights are down in a venue.

Why people pay good money for a gig and then sit there playing with their phone is beyond me, maybe folk gigs should be more expensive so people appreciate them more.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:49 PM

Expecting some people to stop texting is apparently the same as asking them not to breathe. A constant problem at my office which will lead to cell phone bans from desks.One geniusactually used the excuse "I am on hold on a business call."
As long as the phones aren't making noise, I wouldn't be bothered.
M

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:48 PM

You are out of touch, its far more important to let people see that you have the latest model of smart phone that to engage with what is going on around you.

Subject: RE: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:41 AM

Were they making noise or glaring lights or flickering? Were they the main attendees or were they accompanying someone with more interest in the event? I think they should be asked to sit in the back if they were otherwise not disturbing people.any beeps etc. should be verboten..I don't think it would bother me too much personally. mg

Subject: Mobiles - no place at a festival
From: nutty
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:35 AM

Although festival goers are asked to switch off mobile phones at festival events
I was shocked to see numerous people, at a festival this weekend, sitting in concerts, singarounds and workshops either texting or playing games on their mobile phones.
They seemed to think that this was acceptable.
I considered it the height of rudeness.

Am I old and out of touch??

Is it just me ???