Phoebe Bridgers locked up our phones and gave us back the art of the concert
Without phones in the crowd, Bridgers’ “Lost Weekend” tour turned a night of live music into a reminder of what concerts are supposed to feel like.
BY Abbie Fleeman ★ october 2nd, 2026
Photo Credit: Abbie Fleeman
Before entering Barclays Center to see Phoebe Bridgers' "Lost Weekend" tour, I frantically took photos of the tour sign and my outfit for proof that I was alive and in Brooklyn for this concert. I watched my friends text family members and boyfriends that they would be "going dark" for several hours. I was embarrassingly worried. Would I have a sense of the time? Would my mom randomly be in dire need of my contact? Would I gain a new Instagram follower? But the moment the heavy vocoded track "The Outside" started and the stadium lights began flashing, I didn't think about my phone once.
Once I got through security, I was directed to turn off my phone and place any smartwatches or devices into a Yondr pouch. These small, mesh bags are secured with a specific magnet that was quickly unlocked by a security guard at the conclusion of the performance. Bridgers explained during the concert that she called for this no-phones policy on her tour because after going through troubles in her personal life with the passing of her father, and garnering a lot more attention than she was used to from her album, "Punisher," the only way she'd be comfortable coming back to the stage was without cameras in her face.
One of my favorite aspects of a concert is the feeling of collective effervescence. Collective effervescence is a feeling of intense emotional connectivity that often rises when a group comes together for a common purpose. People often experience this at sporting events, religious rituals, or live music events. It's the reason I've cried at every show I've been to from Big Thief to Ke$ha. This state was even further intensified by the lack of devices. With every audience member fully invested in the music and not half watching through a camera or getting distracted by notifications, it was easier to fully immerse yourself in the experience. It was refreshing to watch everyone take in each lyric, chord, beat, and production design choice with total appreciation. Bridgers' music is so profoundly emotional and connects with fans on such a deep level. It was inspiring to see all these fans experience these live feelings I get from my headphones every day.
Like the broke college student I am, I had seats as far away as possible from the stage in the nosebleeds. Before the concert, I was somewhat disappointed in this because I love the experience of dancing in the pit. However, I was so grateful to have had a bird's eye view of the community being created below and around me. I saw friends clinging onto each other while sobbing to music that means the world to them. I saw cigarette lighters go up instead of phone flashlights when heavy ballads were played. I saw circles of collective joyous dancing. I saw strangers become friends and write down their phone numbers on each other's hands. I saw a wave of hands up, jumping to the music rather than a sea of phones recording clips that will never be rewatched. I've never witnessed this kind of connection at any concert before.
In line for an essential pre-concert hot dog, I overheard an irritated father complaining about not knowing the time to his daughter. "I mean it's ridiculous, we could be in here for hours and have no idea," he said. The awareness of time and safety concerns are understandable. But if you stick with your person or group you came with and research the length of the set beforehand, this isn't a huge issue. Once the show starts, you won't care if it's 7 p.m. or midnight, the lack of phones is worth the unforgettable concert experience.
The hope is that this tour sets a precedent for future concerts. More big artists that can afford stadium tours should also be able to afford Yondr pouches to improve the concert experience. If the next concert you go to doesn't enforce a device-free policy, try turning it off for a few hours or only recording one song instead of the whole show. You may find the show more immersive and enjoyable than you could've imagined.
Edited by Maia Simmons