Legendary musician Nick Cave blasted his phone-wielding audience at a recent gig, sparking a debate on concert etiquette.
The Australian rocker, 67, is on tour with The Bad Seeds once more as they promote new album Wild God. But Cave, who wrote hits like Red Right Hand and The Mercy Seat, appeared to have grown tired of fans always on their phones. In a recent clip of his performance from Kraków, Poland, the singer told fans to “put your f**king phones away”.
His reaction to being filmed by the thousands in attendance sparked a debate on phone etiquette at gigs, with many in the comments of the clip agreeing with the frontman. Cave could be seen posing for the crowd as he gave them a 30-second window to record, before asking for phones to be put away.
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Mr Jazzowo)
Speaking to the crowd, Cave said: “Listen. It’s fine, you can film a little bit, but are you going to do that all night? Just a little bit? How about we all film me now, you ready? And then put your f**king phones away. You ready? Here we go.”
There were cheers from the crowd as Cave posed for the 30 seconds, before Cave finished and added: “Thank you. Put ’em away, put ’em away. That means you. Put it away. That means you. Now we can have a concert.”
Those who are sick of phones at concerts flooded the replies, with one praising Cave for his admonishment of the audience. They wrote: “Let me tell you, he is not joking in any way, he’s dead serious, put them bloody phones away – they’re spoiling the intimate directness of a concert.”
Another added: “Nick Cave is not joking – he’s just making his point without resorting to anger. This is an object lesson in assertiveness. He gets the point across very effectively and doesn’t lose the audience.”
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Redferns via Getty Images)
Another explained their hatred for phones being used at gigs, adding: “The big thing that phones take away from is the collective experience. There’s a special feeling being in a crowd that is all experiencing something together. Not only do phones block the view, but they subconsciously push you back into the individual, instead of being in the collective. That’s why people get upset, they aren’t just being stuck up.”
One user pointed out the irony in the clip, writing: “The paradox, that this video is filmed. So we have the ability to see and respond. And like be judgemental about others.” Another fumed: “The irony of someone filming an artist telling the audience to put their phones away!!”
But some were all for using phones at gigs, as it means those who could not attend can experience it in their own time. One user explained: “I’m glad that some people do record some gigs on their phone as I can sit here watching loads of them on my phone, like gigs I couldn’t attend etc…” Another joked: “Old man yells at crowd.”
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