Smartphones causing problems for concert venues, performers

Credit: Alcatel

Credit: Alcatel

Concertgoers and patrons taking their smartphones into live performances is a growing annoyance across the country for performers and venue operators.

Too many concerts and performances are being transmitted live on social media and that has some performers and venue operators fighting back -- to the point that smartphones are being banned in some instances.

Not so at the Victoria Theatre.

At least not yet.

"It's difficult to police, we mostly hope that people will just do the right thing. But if they don't, we have ushers and house managers who will let them know to put the phone away or take it if we need to," Rick Flynn, director of audience services, Victoria Theatre Association, told News Center 7's Natalie Jovonovich on Wednesday.

The issue of what to do about smartphones being brought into Victoria Theatre is a regular topic of conversation.

Ken Neufeld, president and CEO, Victoria Theatre Association, said, "We have to go with the flow and really it comes down to what the artist wants and how do we control that relationship and how do we preserve that kind of decorum that you're looking for in the audience."

Smartphones have not been prohibited at the Fraze or the Rose. But, a performer can decide not to allow them. Officials at those venues say the request would be enforced.

There is new technology being used from California to New York to try and control overzealous smartphone users at concert venues.

Yondr is the San Francisco-based company behind a lightweight case that locks a smartphone inside.

The case works this way, according to company officials:

As a patron enters a venue, staff will place the phone in a Yondr case. Once the patron enters the phone-free zone, the case will lock but the patron gets to keep the phone. If the patron needs to use their phone, he or she can step outside the Yondr phone-free zone to unlock it.

Unlocking stations, as Yondr CEO and founder Graham Dugoni calls them, are set up at the venue's entrances and exits.

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