“PLEASE DO NOT WATCH THE SHOW THROUGH A SCREEN ON YOUR SMART DEVICE/CAMERA. PUT THAT S— AWAY…” stated a sign at a Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert. We’ve all done it. We’ve taken loads of pictures, tweeted, Instagrammed, and checked in, experiencing the concert through a screen. We do this to preserve and share our experiences with others, but using social media at concerts actually takes us out of the experience altogether.

Social Media at Concerts

Last night, Lupe Fiasco performed at the Granada Theater. It was everything a hip hop concert could have been – flashing lights, heavy bass, bobbing heads, and grooving. But also observed were people with their heads shoved into the bright lights of their phones, tweeting, Instagramming, updating their Facebook status, and watching Lupe through their phone screens. People were taking selfies, videos, and Vines. Constant uploading was happening during the concert.

Negative Side of Social Media at Concerts

The bad thing about this – people were detached from the event happening before them. They were too busy focusing on taking snapshots and sharing the concert on social media. Many times people had to ask others around them what had happened because they missed what was going on.  Instead of actually being immersed in the concert experience, people were distracted. Not to mention, for others who were actually enjoying the concert, nothing is more annoying than a slew of bright screens in the air blocking your view. To pay $20, $50, even $200 for a concert and end up watching the concert through your screen – you might as well sit at home and watch it on your computer. To get the full concert experience, one must be fully immersed in it. One must be actively engaged and watching the stage.

What To Do With Social Media at Concerts

So what is proper social media etiquette at concerts? Instead of missing out on the full experience, there is one advice – put down your phone. It’s as simple as that. If you want to take pictures, do so, but limit yourself. Those thousands of blurry and over-exposed shots of Beyonce or Drake will end up unused and unseen on your phone anyway. Take shots at the beginning and at the end of the concert, and maybe even a couple during your favorite song. Post a status or check in before the concert starts. Instagram and upload pictures on Facebook afterwards. But actually get what you paid for and engage in the concert atmosphere. Artists are touring to perform for you, in real life. So sing, jump around, wave your phone-less hands in the air, and even do some dancing. And when in doubt, just do what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs suggested and “please do not watch the show through a screen… and put that s— away.”