Having your favourite celebrity perform live is something you will never forget, and considering the expense and travel involved, it’s no wonder that you would want to take pictures with your mobile phone. But with artists wanting to create more immersive, intimate performances, it’s becoming increasingly common for artists to ban phones at concerts.

Celebrities leading the phone-free charge

As he has been doing since 2018, Bruno Mars began his 2025 World Tour by enforcing a rigorous no-phone policy at his Dolby Live performance in an effort to give his fans an uninterrupted, engaging experience. However, he is not alone in this practice. In an effort to improve concert experiences, a growing number of well-known performers have joined the call for phone bans:

For many years now, Billie Eilish has been preaching live music that supports genuine human interaction without disturbance. She’s also taken a strong stance against phone use during her shows.

Jack White has also been a vocal advocate for phone bans, encouraging fans to leave their devices in a secure pouch during his concerts.

Ghost: The Swedish rock group has made their 2025 tour a “phone-free experience.” The audience must lock their phones in lockable phone pouches upon entry. Anyone who is found to be using a phone during the performance will be removed from the venue. The project aims to be a joyful and fully present experience.

Why are celebrities banning phones at concerts?

Why would an artist want to deny you the opportunity to record their performance, you ask? Although the motivations differ, maintaining the concert’s integrity and experience for both the performers and the audience is the main goal.

Live performances, according to artists like Billie Eilish and Bruno Mars, should be about the experience rather than about documenting it for social media. They want viewers to be completely engaged and experience the show’s energy without being distracted by screens.

How Are Celebrities Implementing the Bans?

The popular way of preventing phone use at gigs and concerts is by using a lockable phone pouch, with Phone Locker and Yondr being popular options.

Rather than handing their phones in, eventgoers place their phones into a pouch that locks. A strap is attached so they can their wear the pouch like a bag. At intervals, or the end of the show, staff at the event can unlock the pouch with a special magnet.

For venues, it means there’s no additional cost to store phones, or potential liability issues. As a result, buy-in from attendees is generally positive – we covered the reaction of how people reacted to phone-free nightclubs recently too.

Considering a Phone-Free Event?

It’s evident that we’re entering a new era of connected disconnection, where presence is given priority, as more celebrities speak out against phone distractions. Our phone pouches make it simple to enjoy the moment, whether you’re running a business, hosting an event, or just want to follow your favourite celebrities.

You can find out more how lockable phone pouches work, or  reach out to us directly to discuss your next phone-free event.