You’d think with the number of artists and groups calling out or banning the use of cellphones at concerts that people would get the message by now. Apparently not. During a recent Judas Priest concert, the band were performing their song Judas Rising at the Rosemont Theatre in Illinois last Saturday when frontman Rob Halford noticed somebody in the front row with their phone out filming the concert.
Sure, he could’ve stopped the show and made everybody wait while people put their phones away, but why punish others for the stupidity of a few? So, rather than make everybody else suffer for one person’s ignorance, he simply walked up to the person mid-performance and kicked the phone out of his hand, sending it flying.
You can also see the phone being punted from another angle here, 40 seconds into this video.
As you can see, the phone went absolutely flying. Although this didn’t deter a couple of others in the vicinity who carried on filming and fiddling with their phones.
This isn’t the first time a performer has taken a more… “direct” approach to people filming on their phones instead of just enjoying the experience. Slipknot’s Corey Taylor slapped the phone out of the hands of a fan a couple of years ago for texting in the front row, too.
— Slipknot (@slipknot) July 10, 2016
Folks, just stop using your phones at concerts. And definitely, don’t try to film it on a tablet. Enjoy the experience. You’re not going to be able to do that when you’re watching it on a 5″ screen. And you might just lose your phone, too.
[via Planet Rock]
Even more amazing, that it was an original 2007 iPhone.
Rob says they have no problem with people filming, but this guy apparently had the phone light switched on and was dazzling him. Probably couldn’t read the lyrics off the autocue ?
at the venues around here they have guys armed with IR-“Lasers” that are eyesafe but can dazzle any camera with ease… If somebody has the Flash active they just aim the Laser at the phone… It takes a few seconds but it works :D
Tim Knecht great idea!
Billy Greer of Kansas said at a show a while back that the band was cool with non-flash photography or recording a song or two, just don’t livestream the show. :D
I understand their frustration, but I’m surprised that didnt result in a lawsuit. possible destruction of property and assault. I highly doubt it was a clean kick that only contacted the phone and not the person’s hands or body in any way.