Ghost frontman Tobias Forge discussed his band’s experimental phone-free concert policy in an interview with Audacy Music. The band made this decision after noticing a growing disconnect between performers and audiences caused by excessive phone usage during shows.
“It’s an experiment. And to be perfectly honest, my 16-year-old daughter was very, very, very, very skeptical of this idea. And then she was, like, ‘No one’s gonna buy a ticket,'” Forge revealed.
“I just know one thing, and that is that over the years it’s gone absolutely insane,” he continued. “If you have 10,000 people at a concert and 8,000 of them are holding a phone, there’s something deeply disconnected.”
“That’s like having an intimate moment with someone and that person would just take out the phone like that,” Forge explained, drawing a parallel to emphasize his point. “Oh, hold on. I’m just gonna take a photo. I know some people do that.”
The new phone-free concert format marks a significant change in Ghost’s live performance experience. This approach aims to create more genuine connections with their audience. Initial results from recent events have shown promise.
Recent Success In Los Angeles
Metalhead Zone reports that Ghost’s Los Angeles shows validated this policy’s effectiveness. The engaged audience served as extras in the band’s upcoming concert film project.
The phone-free performances have generated notably higher levels of audience engagement. This success has strengthened the band’s dedication to their new approach.
Technology Implementation
Sonic Perspectives reveals that Ghost will use Yondr pouches throughout their 2025 world tour. This system creates a phone-free environment while allowing fans to keep their devices nearby.
The Yondr solution effectively balances security concerns with the concert experience. Fans maintain possession of their phones but cannot use them during performances.
Future Tour Plans
Loudwire confirms that Ghost’s 2025 world tour will fully implement the phone-free policy. This decision represents a major step forward in the band’s live performance evolution.
The music industry shows a growing trend toward more authentic concert experiences. Ghost’s initiative aligns with this movement toward more immersive live performances.
