Tobias Forge, the frontman of the band Ghost, expressed that the increasing trend of concert-goers using their phones during live performances had pushed him to contemplate the end of the band’s touring career. This concern highlights a significant shift in audience engagement that many artists are noticing in today’s digital age.

However, the implementation of a phone ban during their current tour has proven to be overwhelmingly successful, with Forge describing the experience as transformative and life-changing. This initiative has created a more immersive environment for both the band and the fans, fostering genuine connections that had previously diminished.

During a recent fan Q&A session, reported by Blabbermouth, Forge shared that he initially faced pushback regarding the ban from his management and agents after proposing the idea. The logistical challenges associated with enforcing such a ban raised concerns, as it could complicate the overall concert experience.

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“There’s a lot of additional logistics involved that can make the administration of the concert more complex, and anything that complicates the process is usually met with skepticism,” Forge explained. “We had to thoroughly evaluate the feasibility of this idea. What are the implications? Have other artists attempted this? The answer was, not many.”

While attendees are permitted to keep their phones, they are secured in sealed pouches. Should someone need to use their device, they must exit the auditorium and have the pouch opened. Although this may inconvenience some concert-goers, Forge believes it is a necessary measure to combat the decline in audience interaction that he has observed over the past 13 years.

“It became evident when we performed in countries where the audience tends to be more enthusiastic,” he elaborated. “You walk out to a crowd of 18,000 people, yet you see around 10,000 phones. And they’re not even bouncing anymore. It’s a shocking realization: what has happened to the energy?”

He argued that the audience’s intent was not to show any disrespect; rather, they likely believed that using their phones wouldn’t significantly impact the experience. However, he highlighted that the collective behavior of thousands of individuals can create a stark atmosphere that detracts from the live performance.

Engagement Decline: The Impact of Phones on Concert Atmosphere

“You step out onto the stage anticipating a crowd that’s ready to go wild! But instead, you see a crowd that’s increasingly disengaged as they focus on their phones,” he lamented.

“I reached a point where I thought, ‘I’m not sure I want to continue doing this. If this is the new norm, I’d prefer to step away.’ That’s how devalued the experience felt.”

Forge emphasized that the unique theatricality of Ghost’s performances relies heavily on audience participation. “If you were to witness a rehearsal without an audience, the show would be drastically less impactful. However, when the crowd is engaged, there’s a dynamic exchange that elevates the entire experience. But if someone pulls out a phone during that moment…”

He described the phone ban as “a total game-changer for the band’s existence,” adding, “I believe many other bands are watching this closely and thinking, ‘How can we implement something similar?’”