A Perfect Circle guitarist on filming at shows: “It’s just rude”
After ejecting more than 60 fans from a recent show for violating their “no photos” policy, A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel told the Montreal Gazette that he is in favor of the band's strict policy.
“First of all, it’s just rude. Putting up a phone in front of someone’s face so they get to watch the show through it? Getting a memento of the show—sure, I’ve done it myself. But then you ask, ‘What am I gonna do with this?’ Howerdel says.
Read more: Over 60 fans removed from A Perfect Circle show for taking photos
However, Howerdel explains that people are overwhelmed with videos and images, and that getting back to a “campfire conversation” about shows says so much more.
“But the other point is, people talking about the show is so much more powerful. We’re inundated with videos and images, and getting back to a campfire conversation, letting people express how they felt in the experience—it says something more.
“And it speaks to, what does the music mean to you, and how do you want to tether it to your experiences in your life?”
At A Perfect Circle's show, the seats included a sign warning fans that no photos or videos—including those taken with cell phones—would be allowed and “will result in ejection.”
However, fans did see the downsides. Following the incident, fans at the show explained that “people were getting kicked out left and right” saying “security's flashlights hunting for people taking pictures were more distracting than cell phones.”
Of course, that brings up the bigger question: Should phones be allowed at gigs? And is it even possible to maintain a strict no photos policy in 2017 when most everyone has access to a smartphone? Sound off in the comments below.
