Blur’s Damon Albarn disagrees with Bob Dylan’s plan to ban mobile phones on his UK tour.
During an interview with BBC Breakfast, Albarn shared his concerns:
“If you start banning things where does it end? I think you’ve just got to turn up and do your thing. People won’t want to be on their phone if you’re engaging with them correctly.”
What Did Dylan Say About His Phone Rules?
This week, Dylan announced a 10-show UK tour in November, with stops in Bournemouth, Nottingham, and Wolverhampton. Fans will need to turn off their phones and put them in locked pouches when they arrive at each venue. The singer said in a statement:
“This concert is a ‘PHONE FREE SHOW,’ this means that phones are not allowed in the hall during the concert. How it works? Once you arrive at the venue, Yondr (the phone pouch company engaged on this concert) will have its dedicated staff available to help you put your phone in a locked and secure pouch, which you will keep with you throughout the evening.”
Dylan explained what to do if you need to use your phone in an emergency:
“What should I do if I have an emergency and need to access my phone? You can unlock your phone pocket at any time by going to a dedicated and signposted area, intended for phone use. Do not hesitate to ask a Yondr staff member to help you.”
He detailed the reasons it’s mandatory:
“Why are we doing this and is it mandatory? Having created this phone-free experience on recent tours, we believe it creates better times for everyone in attendance. Our eyes open a little more and our senses are slightly sharper when we lose the technological crutch we’ve grown accustomed to. And yes, it’s a non-negotiable deal (although medical exemptions are made for those who rely on their phone for treatment.)”
Dylan will be on tour for most of 2024. After finishing the ‘Outlaw Music Festival Tour’ with Willie Nelson, he will start a European tour in October before his UK shows.