Since its founding in Paris in 2016 by Derek Barbolla, Cercle has become known for pushing the boundaries of live electronic music. From performances at the Great Pyramids of Giza to Bolivia’s salt flats and hot air balloons drifting above Cappadocia, Cercle’s mission has always been clear: connect music with extraordinary places and share that sense of awe with audiences around the world.
With Cercle Odyssey, the collective brought that vision indoors — creating a travelling, cube-like concert space designed to completely immerse audiences in sound, story and setting. But to truly protect that immersion, one thing had to be removed: smartphones.
Designing a Phone-Free Audience Experience
At Cercle events, presence matters. Phones risk pulling audiences out of the moment — shifting focus from shared atmosphere to individual screens. To prevent this, Cercle partnered with Phone Locker®, introducing 可上锁的手机袋 at entry.
Audience members placed their devices into secure pouches, which were then locked and worn on the body using straps supplied by Phone Locker®. This approach ensured:
- Phones stayed with attendees at all times
- No anxiety about devices being handed over
- A smooth, respectful entry experience
By removing the urge to record or scroll, focus stayed entirely on the music, visuals and collective atmosphere.
Presence Over Documentation
Once phones were locked away, many attendees described a stronger sense of presence and connection — not just to the performance, but to each other. The absence of screens allowed the shared energy of the space to take centre stage.
To strike the right balance, Cercle later provided audiences with a curated collection of high-quality footage, enabling them to relive the experience without having mediated it through their own phone screens.
Delivering at Scale with Phone Locker®
Cercle Odyssey events operate on a significant scale. At any given performance, up to 6,000 Phone Locker® pouches were deployed, supported by accessories that allowed staff to assist audiences quickly and discreetly — without disrupting flow or atmosphere.
The Cercle team highlighted several key benefits:
- The pouches helped preserve a truly immersive experience
- They proved durable, with no technical issues reported
- The locking mechanism allowed fast, efficient audience movement
作为 Marceau Duprez, Producer at Cercle, shared:
“The Phone Locker® team was responsive and helpful throughout, from logistics and delivery to follow-up support. Overall, we strongly recommend Phone Locker® for any event aiming to restrict phone usage and create a fully present, distraction-free environment.”
A Fully Immersive Vision
Cercle Odyssey is a multi-sensory experience by design. Vast 8K projections wrap the entire venue in moving landscapes filmed across deserts, islands and remote wildernesses. Spatial audio systems and layered speakers blend seamlessly with the music, while carefully chosen scents heighten the sense of place.
Sustainability also plays a central role, with lightweight projection technology replacing heavy LED screens and equipment sourced locally in each city to reduce environmental impact.
Protecting Moments That Matter
Cercle’s approach shows what’s possible when technology is used intentionally — not to distract, but to support presence, connection and impact.
At Phone Locker®, we work with live events, cultural institutions and venues worldwide to help protect immersive experiences at scale. Whether for concerts, exhibitions or performances, creating phone-free moments can transform how audiences engage.
If your event is built on atmosphere, connection and shared experience, we’re here to help you keep it that way.
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