Is recording concerts a necessary part of the experience or a distraction from truly enjoying the moment?
Filming concerts has become a common sight at live performances, where audience members, phones in hand, capture every moment of the show. This behavior, although nearly ubiquitous, remains a point of contention among both concertgoers and artists alike.
Recently, Suede’s lead singer, Brett Anderson, went viral for confronting fans who were filming during his concert, a bold move that raised the question of whether we should embrace this trend or push back against it. While some see filming as a way to preserve memories, others feel it detracts from the authentic concert experience.
Opinions on recording concerts in Singapore are divided. For some, like Zahra, a 17-year-old concertgoer, filming is fine as long as it doesn’t disrupt their personal enjoyment. “It only bothers me if it hinders me from enjoying my own experience,” she says, noting that intrusive filming can ruin moments of intimacy during a live performance.
On the other hand, local artist Elspeth, 25, views it more positively. “Watching people record my performances gives me joy; it’s nice that they enjoyed them enough to want to keep digital copies,” she reflects, appreciating how recordings allow fans to relive performances and share them with others on social media.
For others, like Marc, 22, filming during concerts feels intrusive. He believes that it creates a barrier between the audience and the performers, reducing the authenticity of the experience. “Imagine being a performer singing your heart out to the audience, and all you see in return are 10,000 phones aimed at you,” he adds, citing the reasons why major artists like Beyoncé have banned phones at their concerts.
However, for some concertgoers, filming is more about having a personal record than seeking validation on social media. Chloe, 17, takes issue with people who block others’ views but has no issue with filming if it doesn’t disrupt others. “If it’s not obstructing others, sure. If it is, though, absolutely not,” she says.
Others like Sabrina, 22, see the upside of more people recording performances, as it allows them to enjoy the concert without the pressure of having to capture the perfect shot. “The more people record the performance, the more I can relax because I don’t have to record anything,” she says, relieved that other fans will likely share footage from different angles.
Despite the varying opinions, it’s clear that filming concerts has become a widespread part of the live music experience in Singapore. Whether it’s for personal memories, social media sharing, or simply to relive a moment, the act of recording continues to spark debate among fans and performers alike. The key, it seems, is finding a balance between enjoying the moment and capturing it for posterity.
