Chrissie Hynde Criticizes Concertgoers Who Film Shows: “It Reminds Me of Monkeys Performing for the Crowd”

Why More Artists Are Speaking Out Against Phones at Concerts

If you're planning to attend a The Pretenders concert anytime soon, you may want to leave your phone in your pocket and simply enjoy the performance. At least, that is exactly what frontwoman Chrissie Hynde would prefer.

In a lengthy statement shared on social media, the singer and guitarist expressed her frustration with concertgoers who spend entire performances filming videos and taking photographs instead of experiencing the music in the moment.

According to Chrissie Hynde, a kind of “unpleasant haze” now hangs over many live performances, created by audience members who seem more interested in documenting events than actually participating in them.

“What is it with people and their phones? But what I really want to know is why people feel the need to film or take pictures at concerts and museums. Why?”

Artists’ Requests Often Go Ignored

The musician argues that even when performers clearly ask audiences not to use phones during a show, many people simply ignore those requests.

“You can put signs all over a venue asking people not to use cameras, but many refuse to respect that. It feels as though some people believe they have the right to do whatever they want, even when the artist has specifically asked them not to.”

According to Hynde, the issue goes beyond technology itself and reflects a growing sense of entitlement among some concert attendees.

The Example of Bob Dylan

As an example, she pointed to the well-known phone restrictions at concerts by legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.

At Dylan’s performances, audience members are often required to place their phones in sealed pouches that remain locked until the event is over.

Even so, Hynde says such measures are not always enough.

“Bob Dylan has phones sealed away before the show starts. You would think that an artist of his stature could make a simple request and people would respect it. But that isn’t what happens. People still try to sneak in cameras or phones. It seems like some kind of strange compulsion they can’t control.”

A Striking Comparison

One of the most talked-about parts of Hynde’s statement was the unusual comparison she used to describe her feelings about the situation.

“It reminds me of monkeys performing certain acts right in front of the people standing around their enclosure. Honestly, in that situation the spectators probably deserve it, because monkeys should never have been placed in cages in the first place. But an artist standing on a stage is something entirely different.”

The comparison was intended to highlight how bizarre she finds the behavior of people who feel compelled to record every moment of a live performance.

“Like a Mosquito Buzzing Around Your Head”

Continuing her explanation, Chrissie Hynde said that many audience members fail to understand how distracting constant filming can be for performers.

“No one seems to understand why artists dislike it. If you've ever tried to fall asleep while a mosquito buzzes around your head, you'll have some idea of what it feels like when people spend an entire show pointing phones and cameras at you.”

According to Hynde, this behavior distracts musicians and changes the atmosphere of a live performance for both artists and audiences.

“Even If Jesus Christ Walked Into the Room…”

Toward the end of her message, Hynde offered another memorable observation about modern society’s relationship with smartphones.

“If Jesus Christ walked into a room today, the first thing people would do is pull out their phones. Can somebody explain that to me?”

The comment quickly became one of the most widely quoted parts of her statement and sparked discussion across social media and music publications.

A Personal Experience at an Emmylou Harris Concert

For Chrissie Hynde, the issue is far from theoretical.

She recalled attending a concert by legendary singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris at London’s Royal Albert Hall after having dinner with Harris earlier that evening.

During the show, Hynde found herself seated next to a fan who appeared to be filming almost the entire performance.

When another audience member politely asked the person to stop recording, the response was simple:

“Mind your own business.”

The incident reinforced Hynde’s belief that excessive phone use at concerts has become a growing problem.

An Ongoing Debate Within the Music Industry

Hynde’s comments have once again highlighted a long-running debate within the music world.

Some artists are perfectly comfortable with fans recording concerts. Legendary guitarist Steve Vai, for example, has previously said that he enjoys seeing audience members capture moments from his performances and considers it a positive part of the concert experience.

Others strongly disagree.

Artists who have openly criticized phone use at concerts include:

• Jack White;
• Tool;
• Kate Bush;
• Ghost.

Many of these performers have introduced strict restrictions or complete bans on mobile devices during their shows, arguing that such policies help preserve the authenticity and atmosphere of live music.

The latest remarks from Chrissie Hynde serve as another reminder of the ongoing conflict between technology and the traditional concert experience. While smartphones allow fans to preserve memories and share moments online, many musicians believe that constant recording diminishes the unique energy of a live performance.

For the The Pretenders frontwoman, concerts are meant to be experienced directly, not through a screen. Whether audiences agree or disagree, the debate over phones at live shows appears far from over.