As a teenage girl living in modern day America, it is almost impossible for me to set down my phone. It’s become a physical part of my right arm, extending past my fingertips, like a prosthetic. Let’s be honest, we are all like this. We are all addicted to our phones.
There becomes a point when we need to turn them off and tune into what is happening around us. A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go see Tool live at PPG Paints Arena. Prior to the concert, I did some research and discovered that Tool had a strict, “no phones policy”.
If you were found on your phone during the concert, you would be asked to leave and never return to a Tool concert again.
The night before the concert, an article was published about Tool’s most recent show in Philadelphia. A man was taken out of the arena for being on his phone. He wasn’t even allowed to grab his jacket.
I thought this was a little too intense. What if I wanted to play GamePigeon? What if I had to text my mom? What if there was an emergency? At first I thought this “no phones policy” was ridiculous.
I was wrong.

Not being on my phone for that concert was one of the best experiences of my life. I was just vibing. Everyone was just vibing. No one was distracted by blue lights or notifications. Everyone was enjoying the music. And if you ask me, that’s the way it should be. Turn off your phone, cut off the distractions and just simply enjoy good music.
Although this policy seems a little strict, it is one of the best decisions a performer could make. Having a “no phones policy” eliminates the risk of an audience member recording the show and publicly displaying it through social media or other outlets.
This policy does more than protect the artists rights, it gives the audience the full experience that they paid for. More artists should adopt this policy.
I have to say that the best part of the Tool concert was the very end. The lead singer, Maynard James Keenan, allowed the audience to have their phones out for the last song. And the crazy thing was very few people pulled theirs out.
People took a quick picture and then immediately put it away. There was no reason to be on your phone. We were all entranced by the music.
The next time I go to a concert, I’m turning off my phone, whether it is enforced or not. It enhances the experience, letting me enjoy the music for what it is.
And for that matter, I’m turning my phone off more in general. When I’m around my friends and family, I shouldn’t be consumed by the screen in my hand. I should be paying attention to the world around me and live in the moment.
We should all do this. We should just turn off our phones and vibe with the people around us, enjoying the world through our own eyes, not through that of a screen.