Kate Bush bans fans' intimacy-destroying mobiles at gigs
Musician Kate Bush has clamped down on mobile technology in the build-up to her UK comeback tour, telling fans if they were to record her gigs, they would destroy the intimacy of the shows.
30th anniversary of Wuthering Heights, Credit: katebush.com
Speaking to fans more content filming her gigs than watching them, Bush said “it would mean a great deal to her” if they instead paid attention to her performance.
The comment was posted on the official Kate Bush website in anticipation of her three decade anniversary celebration tour, starting at the Hammersmith Odeon, in London.
Kate Bush said: “I have a request for all of you who are coming to the show. We have purposefully chosen an intimate theater setting rather than a large venue or stadium. It would mean a great deal to me if you would please refrain from taking photos or filming during the shows.
“I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras. I know it's a lot to ask but it would allow us to all share in the experience together.”
Marc Almond of 80s synth-group Soft Cell tweeted congratulations to Bush for the request, adding to the sentiment that would-be photographers ruin gigs.
Great that Kate Bush has requested no filming or mobiles ,I Pads etc. I am always disheartened by people watching shows through devices ....
— Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) August 19, 2014
Of course it's people's choice but why through such a tiny screen when the artist is right there! An old fashioned memory is better..... — Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) August 19, 2014
Bush is among an elite of musicians annoyed by fans' use of mobiles at gigs, including Roger Daltrey, who said: “I feel sorry for them, I really feel sorry for them. Looking at life through a screen and not being in the moment totally.
“If you're doing that, you're 50 per cent there, right? It's weird. I find it weird.”
Last week Manchester United FC issued a tablet ban at Old Trafford, to stamp out illegal recordings of footage and prevent fans' views being obstructed by the devices.
This comes after news regarding YouTube’s mobile music streaming service leaked this morning - including the revelation that it will be called YouTube Music Key.