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SHOWS and concerts in Bahrain could soon become ‘smartphone free’ if a new scheme to stop recording, taking images and ruining performances for others, is introduced.
Yondr, a US-based start-up company, has launched a trial of smartphone-locking pouches to keep phone use out of the theatre.
Audiences are handed sleeves, which are available in three sizes, to place their phones in.
The attendees are welcome to carry their phones into an arena or hall but the pouches are locked shut so no one can access them.
If someone needs to answer a call on their vibrating device, make a call or check an email, they have to leave the zone and move past several strategically-placed stations at the entrance before the pouches are automatically unlocked.
Arts critic Christine Hasan, who regularly reviews show for GulfWeekly is, delighted with the concept. “I am heartily sick of going to concerts only to have them ruined by people either filming the event on their mobile or forgetting why they came and texting, social photographing, and, of course, making and receiving calls,” she said.
“As an entertainer I would be hopping mad at such disrespect for my work, but as an audience member who has made an effort to get to the show on time to be entertained by the performers I am incandescently angry. It is disrespectful and just plain rude.
“I could barely see an event a few weeks ago as a gentleman a few seats away felt the need to have his phone lit up almost the entire time.
“No-one wants to go back to the days when going to a concert at Arad Fort meant arriving an hour early to queue to have your phone forcibly removed and held until after the concert and the same wait to get it back at the other end, but if people cannot police themselves, then so be it.
“Announcements loudly tell us that mobile phone use and cameras are forbidden, to no avail. So what can be done to overcome the problem?
“I know that the technology is available to block phones signals. I also know that it is very expensive and difficult to put in place for temporary venues. Even that does not help with the home cinematographers who think that blocking others view of a concert with their upraised camera phones or tablets is perfectly acceptable.
“I am all for performers simply stopping and refusing to carry on until every phone and camera is put away, but I do understand the petulant response that would bring.
“There are devices available that allow people to be responsible, yet keep their phones with them. Phones are popped in much the same way as putting money in a purse. They are locked and very simply unlocked when exiting the venue. No long queues and the audience need not worry about getting the right phone at the end of the show.
“Please, someone in power, make them mandatory here.
“I know of people who will not attend wedding parties as phones are not allowed inside. That is their choice, an adult choice, and one we can all make regarding concerts, or school events as well. But we don’t! So, bring on the phone bags!”
Graham Dugoni, founder of Yondr that makes the bags, says he’s attempting to break smartphone addiction and ‘help people engage with each other in a real way’. “What it symbolises is a movement, and the bag is just the tool,” he said.
The company has not revealed exact details of how the locking mechanism works, but it seems similar to those anti-theft tags you find on clothes in department stores.
“The locking mechanism for the cases is something I spent a lot of time on in the early days,” he has told reporters. “I needed something that was easy to apply and simple to unlock. Elements of the mechanism work similarly to those security tags, but they weren’t the inspiration for Yondr.”
Some entertainers, particularly comedians working on gags, have been incensed by their material appearing on-line before it has been perfected. Reproducing and sharing videos and images of a copyrighted performance also hits artistes and their recording companies in the pocket.
But according to Graham, Yondr is about eliminating distractions first and aiding copyright holders second. It would be well appreciated by the stars too.
Chart-topping singer Adele told a fan to stop recording at a concert. Annoyed, she said: “Yeah, I want to tell that lady as well, can you stop filming me because I’m really here in real life.
“You can enjoy it in real life, rather than through your camera. This isn’t a DVD, this is a real show. I’d really like you to enjoy my show because there are lots of people outside that couldn’t come in.”
