Within the ever-evolving panorama of home and techno music, smartphones’ function has develop into a contentious situation. These gadgets, designed to reinforce connectivity and accessibility, are more and more seen as disruptors of the immersive, communal dwell music expertise that defines the scene. As extra artists, golf equipment, and underground occasions implement no-phone insurance policies, the controversy intensifies: Are smartphones detrimental to the authenticity of the dance ground, or do they provide advantages which might be too important to disregard?
Smartphones have undeniably reworked the music trade. They allow followers to find new tracks, join with artists, and share experiences with a worldwide viewers. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have develop into essential instruments for artists to advertise their music and for followers to remain knowledgeable about occasions. This enhanced connectivity has democratized music consumption, permitting artists to succeed in broader audiences and enabling followers to have interaction with the scene from wherever.
Nonetheless, using smartphones at dwell occasions has sparked criticism. Some argue that recording and overdoing it on social media contributes to a ‘cringe’ tradition the place attendees prioritize documenting their experiences over genuinely participating with the music and the surroundings. This criticism has led to an increase in no-phone insurance policies to protect the authenticity of dwell occasions.
Venues like Berghain in Berlin and 6AM, a worldwide underground home and techno community-based in Los Angeles, have pioneered these insurance policies. Marco Sgalbazzini, Chief Progress Officer and Occasions Director at 6 AM and CEO of Synthetik Minds, is a notable advocate. Sgalbazzini’s efforts mirror a broader motion to reclaim the essence of the dance ground expertise.
Sgalbazzini’s method fosters a extra real dance ground surroundings post-pandemic. “I wished to come back again to a extra real dance ground expertise… to ensure that individuals may expertise and be within the second,” he defined in an interview with EDM Maniac. This stance addresses the rising affect of know-how on youthful ravers. Many attendees, having missed important social experiences through the pandemic, turned to platforms like TikTok and Instagram to doc their nightlife. Sgalbazzini noticed that this shift has led to a tradition the place recording and social media presence usually overshadowed the connection between music and group. “Somewhat than ravers who perceive what the dance ground is actually about and are linked to the music, as a substitute they’re linked to their cellular phone, social media, and the necessity to show that they’re having a great time,” he famous.
To implement this coverage, Sgalbazzini and his crew at 6AM implement varied measures, together with social media campaigns, stickering cellphone cameras at entrances, and requiring attendees to signal agreements. Whereas the response has been combined, many who perceive the coverage’s intent recognize the improved expertise it goals to supply. Sgalbazzini additionally famous that artists usually desire performing in crowds with out telephones. “There have been artists, like internationally touring artists, who’ve commented after the gig how nice it was to play to a crowd that’s dancing and doesn’t have their telephones up, particularly within the entrance row,” he mentioned.
This motion is gaining traction, with different distinguished figures and organizations adopting related insurance policies. Damian Lazarus has applied a no-phone coverage at his Hellö Ibiza residency, and Cercle plans an immersive phone-free tour. Even artists recognized for his or her visible productions, like Anyma of Afterlife, are starting to execute such measures to reinforce the dwell music expertise.
The affect of this shift is felt in a different way throughout the group, igniting various views. Lengthy-time raver Jack, who has been a part of the scene for the reason that mid-’90s, shared his ideas on the cultural shift. “Raving was method totally different with out telephones and social media,” he mirrored. “Again then, it was all about dropping your self within the music and connecting with the individuals round you. The main focus was on the vitality within the room, not on documenting each second. You felt extra current, and the expertise stayed with you at that second.”
Many from Jack’s period and earlier rave generations echo related sentiments. They argue that smartphones will be detrimental, as they usually create a barrier between the person and the dwell music expertise. For these people, the presence of telephones on the dance ground is seen as a distraction that detracts from the uncooked, unmediated reference to the music and the communal vitality of the occasion. The shift in direction of documenting experiences on platforms like TikTok has additionally impacted the notion of particular genres.
For instance, sure variations of exhausting techno, which have gained widespread consideration on TikTok, are actually being dubbed “TikTok Techno” by some ravers. They view this trend-driven label as indicative of a broader concern that particular genres’ virality and business enchantment are diluting their authenticity and depth. This has led some ravers, particularly the veterans, to criticize these genres for allegedly being extra about trendiness than substance.
In distinction, up-and-coming influencer Victoria Crespin, who collaborates with manufacturers like Suspex and The Pageant Babes, provides a nuanced view of the function of smartphones. She acknowledges the significance of documenting and sharing experiences however stresses the necessity to stability this with respect for the dwell occasion surroundings. “As an influencer, my cellphone is a device, however I’m all the time acutely aware of these round me,” she defined. “Capturing content material is a part of the job, however it’s essential to not intervene with different individuals’s experiences. The dance ground is a shared house; being conscious and respectful of that makes all of the distinction.”
Victoria acknowledges that some influencers, of their concentrate on their job, may inadvertently overlook the affect of their actions on these round them. This oversight can typically result in a adverse notion of telephones and influencers. “When influencers develop into too targeted of their content material creation, they could disrupt the expertise for others,” she mentioned. “This may contribute to the unhealthy popularity smartphones and influencers typically obtain.”
Nonetheless, Victoria views smartphones as having important advantages when used thoughtfully. “Telephones can improve the expertise by permitting followers to share their moments and join with others who couldn’t be there,” she mentioned. “They assist construct a group and promote new music. It’s about utilizing know-how in a method that enhances, reasonably than takes from the current second.” She advocates for a balanced method, the place documenting and sharing are built-in with a real connection to the music and the gang.
Victoria believes that with aware use, smartphones can enrich the dance ground expertise reasonably than diminish it. “You’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from and doc the night time whereas staying current and engaged with the music and the individuals round you,” she suggests. “Generally, stepping again and soaking within the second is simply as vital as capturing it. It’s all about discovering that stability.” By adopting this method, she believes it’s doable to embrace the very best of each worlds—enhancing the occasion by know-how whereas preserving the essence of the dwell music expertise.
Smartphones’ constructive points can’t be ignored. They improve connectivity, facilitate music discovery and promotion, foster group engagement, and supply real-time updates. These advantages contribute to a extra vibrant and interconnected music scene, permitting followers and artists to attach in beforehand unimaginable methods.
Wanting forward, the controversy over smartphones on the dance ground is prone to proceed evolving. As know-how advances and new types of engagement emerge, the music trade might discover modern methods to stability connectivity with sustaining the essence of dwell performances.
Finally, this debate highlights a shift in direction of prioritizing presence and engagement in dwell music experiences, difficult the function of smartphones in shaping dance music tradition. As Sgalbazzini acknowledged, “It’s all about educating, being welcoming, however on the identical time speaking why that is vital.” By fostering an surroundings targeted on music and human connection whereas nonetheless leveraging the advantages of know-how, the scene can proceed to thrive.
Whether or not by embracing no-phone insurance policies or encouraging aware use, the aim is to make sure that the dance ground stays a sacred house for real, unmediated experiences the place the music and the second reign supreme.
