Bob Dylan has divided fans with a ban on a specific type of item during his upcoming UK tour.
Electronic devices such as phones and smart watches will not be allowed to be used as the musician makes his way around the country. Fans of the 83-year-old will have to deposit their devices into Yondr pouches, which are sealed before entering the venue. Some have praised the “phone-free show” in the hopes the rules will make sure audiences are paying attention. However, others are furious, having paid for their ticket before being told they cannot record the show.
An “important information” warning flashes up before attempting to purchase tickets for the Liverpool show on November 3 telling potential gig-goers they cannot use their devices during the performance. The document reads: “Having created this phone-free experience on recent tours, we believe it creates better times for everyone in attendance.
READ MORE: ‘Hardest’ Chuckle Brother picture ‘of all time’ leaves ChuckleVision fans floored
Click for more of the latest news from the Daily Star.
“Our eyes open a little more and our senses are slightly sharper when we lose the technological crutch we’ve grown accustomed to. And yes, it’s a non-negotiable deal (although medical exemptions are made for those who rely on their phone for treatment).”
One user wrote: “idk i think it’s a little silly, especially bc we live in a day and age where literally everything is more expensive than ever, people should be able to look back on their memories of gigs through photos and videos as it gets harder to frequently attend shows. [sic]”
Another wrote: “When I saw King Crimson a few years back, they were just like ‘please don’t watch this show through tiny screens, put your phones away and enjoy the moment’ and we all just kept them in our pocket. There’s no need to ban them, just ask nicely.” A third simply wrote: “if I paid, I choose”.
However others were thrilled by the ban and the prospect of enjoying concerts in the moment, without distraction. One wrote: “I support Bob Dylan banning phones.” Another user wrote: “You get hissed at A LOT if you pull out your phone at a classical venue, if pop crowd hasn’t grown up enough to have manners – manners become rules, like in kindergarten.” A third user argued: “I think if the act prefers it, it will probably be a better show with the policy in place in terms of their performance.”
The ban on electronics is not a new addition to Dylan’s recent tours, with a previous tour of the UK in 2022 having the same ban in place. Other artists like Jack White of The White Stripes have also applied bans on electronics in the past.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
