Aussie Punters Fed Up With Mobile Phones At Live Events
The majority of Australians support the implementation of measures to reduce fan filming and photography via mobile phone at live events, survey finds
- More than half (53%) say they want fewer photos and videos taken at events
- Close to three-quarters (73%) would support requests by performers and venues for patrons not to take photos and videos at events
- Over a quarter of those surveyed (26%) said they felt like they missed out on enjoying a performance or event because they were too busy taking photos or videos of it
- Survey results follow moves by Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby, Melbourne venue Cherry Bar and US artist Jack White to ban mobile phones at local shows
MELBOURNE — APRIL 11, 2019 — New research commissioned by Eventbrite (NYSE: EB), a global ticketing and event technology platform that powers millions of events, has revealed the majority of Australians support measures to minimise mobile phone use during live performances, suggesting this could improve the overall experience of a live event.
Of the 629 Australians surveyed, 53% said they were in favour of fewer photos and videos being taken at live performances, while 73% would support action by venues and performers to minimise people’s use of phones at live events.
The survey, conducted by Roy Morgan Research on behalf of Eventbrite, also found that:
- Women are more likely than men to take photos and videos at live events (55% vs. 37%).
- Men (58%) and those belonging to Gen X (52%) are most strongly in favour of banning mobile phones at events.
- Close to one-quarter (23%) of those surveyed would support a complete ban on mobile phones at live events.
- While almost half (46%) of those surveyed regularly take photos and videos at the events they attend, more than one-quarter (26%) felt as though they often missed out on enjoying a performance or experience because they were too focused on recording it.
Despite consensus amongst most respondents that measures should be taken to limit mobile phone usage at live events, there appears to be a contradiction between expectations of other people’s mobile phone usage versus how they behave themselves, with 46% of Aussies admitting to regularly taking photos or videos, but a majority (73%) throwing their support behind requests for performances not to be photographed or filmed.
Phil Silverstone, General Manager of Eventbrite Asia Pacific, said Aussies are increasingly growing frustrated by punters jostling for the perfect photo.
“When it comes to live performances, it’s no longer enough just to say, ‘I was there’ – you need the photo, video or social media post to prove it. And while most punters have become accustomed to a sea of screens being part of the event experience, an increasing number are getting fed up with the distraction – and are looking to venues, promoters and performers for a solution,” Silverstone said.
“The survey results released today confirm a growing desire amongst gig-goers to get out from behind their screens and live more ‘in the moment’. We hope this will prompt discussion on ways to make the most of the event experience – with or without our mobile phones – both for our own benefit and for the benefit of our fellow fans.”
Roy Morgan Research, January 2019. Attitudes Towards Phone Use At Events Questionnaire (n=629 respondents living in Australia, aged 14-54; survey conducted online from January 16 – 27, 2019).