THE MOBILE PHONE DEBATE – HAS IT GONE TOO FAR?

With every social media post of the packed-out parties here on the island, comes the in-flooding comments.

Not the odd one either.

We’re talking about hundreds (if not thousands) of responses from followers, talking about the crowds for their use of mobile phones during events.

It’s become such a big thing now, that certain DJs and clubs have now banned the use of these devices on the dance floor.

This has been a debate for nearly a decade, but it’s becoming more of a hot topic as the years go by.

But with this comes a valid question, has this gone too far?

More people work in social media now more than ever before. And it’s now a daily part of life for so many.

Picking up your phone to record DJs or live performers has created a backlash from clubbers. And those who simply love to troll online.

It seems to be a big problem for thousands of older clubbers and ravers too. Many of which despise the fact that it’s such a phenomena now.

Artists such as Damian Lazarus ‘banned’ the use of camera phones for his residency at Hï this season. However, it’s still very prevalent in the ‘Theatre’, where the main act (Black Coffee) plays for his weekly party at the club on the same night.

Other DJs have also brought this request in. Including James Hype and Meduza, who host weekly events at the famous super club in Playa d’en Bossa.

With the number of attendees on these nights, it’s pretty hard to ensure that these ‘rules’ are adhered to in many of the larger venues. Mostly because the sheer amount of revellers inside, it’s impossible for security to stop everyone from doing this.

 

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Many promoters have also followed suit too.

Stickers are being placed over camera phones to stop people from making videos, or getting cheeky snaps of the main acts.

One club on the island which has had more of an overall success with this process is Pikes. Now enforcing this rule each night of the week, since trialling the policy back in April.

It’s been a welcome relief for many, most of which exclaim that they want others to just ‘live in the moment’. And experience the night without phones being paraded in the air.

For others it’s an excuse to jump on the bandwagon, when they’re not actually attending any of these events themselves.

But with each year comes new technology, and a new way of living. Which many have refused to embrace.

Spending the whole night with your mobile constantly in the air is odd, granted. But surely it shouldn’t matter what others are doing. Especially if it isn’t directly imposing on your own experience.

Having a camera shoved in your face would of course be a reason to dislike this rising trend. But what about those who film intermittently? Are they really a nuisance too if they’re conscious of everyone around them?

What’s wrong with wanting to keep memories to look back on later? Or wanting to send footage to your friends, who are not there with you at the time?

Is it so bad to want to share their moment with others?

And what about those who work in social media?

Many of whom frequent the clubs, to capture original photos and videos for their followers?

Copying others content and sharing it on your own pages, can sometimes land you in hot water legally. Plus downloading reels directly from the clubs themselves can also get your social pages banned.

Why wouldn’t content creators want to be able to do what they’re paid to do? And that’s to create content. Not steal it.

Let’s be honest, social media plays a huge part of promoting events in this day and age.

We see something on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, and want to buy or experience what we’re being shown for ourselves.

That’s how advertising works.

Without it so many businesses may lose out on custom. Or the general public could potentially miss out on something that could be of interest to them.

The music and entertainment industry took a huge hit during covid. And all the extra promotion of course brings in more revenue for them.

Which could only be a positive thing, right?

We’re all for living in the moment.

We’ve had some of the best times in the past on the island (and beyond), without ever thinking about a mobile phone.

But we’ve also had some of the best more recently, whilst still capturing content for various reasons. Mostly for work purposes.

Unless you’re hitting up every single party on a press pass, you could be stopped by security for doing your own job.

With this being said, we’ve also been at events where 90% of the crowed are on their phones.

But as long as you’re enjoying what you’re doing, why does it matter about anyone else?

However, for the DJs themselves, we completely understand their frustrations. They’re there to create an atmosphere. To get the crowed moving, and to bring everyone together for the night.

It must be hard to read the people in font of you, when all they’re doing is shining camera lights in your face.

Although, it does show that they’re enjoying it, because they want to show their results off.

But of course it’s not the same vibe in the slightest, so we do see why certain DJs get annoyed.

Whatever side of he fence you’re on, life is to be enjoyed.

Whether that’s by partying the night away without a care in the world, or capturing memories on your own device.

We’re all for freedom of choice, however you decide to do it. It’s all fine by us!

 

Written by Alexandra Ellis for IBIZA DISCO TICKET