Many performers have tried to prevent this smartphone crisis. At Kate Tempest’s recent concert in London, she demanded the audience to pay attention to her, rather than their phones. This was successful, and even resulted in audience members themselves policing the venue. Many people were tutting – this is the UK after all - at those who ignored her instructions.
However, one San Francisco-based company, Yondr, has decided that there is only so far politely asking can get you. The company has developed a somewhat drastic solution to give artists, organisations and individuals the tools to create phone-free events and spaces. Its purpose is simple: ‘to show people how powerful a moment can be when we aren’t focused on documenting or broadcasting it’.
