American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers wants to see something intimate and meaningful in her concerts, and there will be no “sea of phones.”
The concert culture has changed over the past decade of music and the evolution of handheld technology.
Back then, you would be singing and dancing along with the artist in concerts, maybe raising your hands, even pulling some dance moves, or screaming your lungs out, but these days, things are different; it would be rare to see a concertgoer who does not pull up their phone.
Bridgers, a 31-year-old alternative-indie folk artist, wants a much more meaningful encounter in her upcoming “The Lost Tour 2026,” where no phone is allowed.
Kicking off in Indianapolis on September 15, Bridgers will tour in some parts of the United States and Northern Europe.
The Lost Tour 2026
The Grammy Award-winning artist will tag along with Isaac Wood – former frontman of post-punk and art-rock band Black Country, New Road – as her “very special guest” in the Northern Europe leg. Indie-alternative artist Alex G will be joining the US tour.
There will be 23 shows in the US, spanning from September 15 to October 31.
The tour will resume on November 23 for Europe and close on December 12.
The European countries included are Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, covering a total of 12 shows.
It was reported that the artist will be donating $1 for every ticket sold in the US to RAINN, the US’ largest anti-sexual violence organisation and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
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Phone-free, just you and me
Concert-goers are required to comply with the phone-free rule.
The devices will be placed in Yondr pouches upon entry to the venue – a popular lockable bag used for phone-free spaces, such as concerts, comedy shows, schools and weddings.
Aside from Bridgers, no-phone concerts have been a thing lately, among others for Bob Dylan, Jack White and Ghost.
Bridgers on June 4 held a show in Madison Square Garden, a phone-free concert with tickets that cost $1, under a lottery system.
“No cellphones, smart watches, smart glasses, cameras, or recording devices allowed. Yondr pouches will be provided,” the poster read.
Concert halls have been called a “sea of phones” for the past few years.
While technology has evolved into having accessible recording materials useful for events, did the intimacy of hearing your favourite artists live lose the genuine connection?
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Newsjustnews writers 
James Mario Ajero 
Jheruleene Anne Ramos