Phone-free dance floors are giving a whole new meaning to “dance like no one's watching.”
In 2024, it's hard to imagine what it would be like to attend a concert without everyone present staring at their glowing smartphone screens, taking videos and taking selfies. But for many, the excessive use of phones at raves is beginning to erode the authenticity of the atmosphere and disrupt the audience's connection to the music, the artists and each other.
Damian Lazarus, renowned DJ and creator of Crosstown Rebels, Day Zero and Get Lost, has now announced the implementation of a phone-free policy during his summer residency at world-acclaimed club Hï Ibiza.
“From opening to closing, we pride ourselves on creating a totally unique environment, centered around the mystical Temple. It is a fitting session where we lose our inhibitions and can enjoy a sense of freedom while enforcing our innovative 'No Phones' policy. ' inside the room,” Lazarus wrote in an Instagram post, which you can read below.
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Fans can catch Lazarus DJing on Saturdays at Hï Ibiza's Club Room from May 18 to October 5. Other summer residents include Black Coffee, FISHER, The Martinez Brothers and Tale of Us, although the no-phone policy will only be in effect for Lazarus sets.
Others performing at Hï Ibiza this summer include James Hype and MEDUZA, who in October announced their own campaign against excessive phone use at shows.
“Musicians and artists often find it discouraging to see audiences through the lens of a camera rather than through their eyes,” the DJs said in a joint statement at the time. “It can disrupt the intimate connection between artist and audience that makes house music such a powerful musical genre.”
MEDUZA and Hype also expressed that excessive recording can jeopardize individual privacy, resulting in a less welcoming space where people are recorded without their consent.
Popular dance music trio Wavedash have also asked their fans to avoid filming at their shows, recently announcing an initiative to cover their smartphone cameras with stickers that read: “Social media? No thanks.”
The trend continued to take off after a London production company, Covert, also joined the fight to reclaim the dance floor. They launched a feature called “Drop Highlight,” which offers an innovative technological solution to “recapture the authentic crazy culture of a pre-tech world.”
Only time will tell whether or not phone-free dance floors re-emerge as intimate, connected rave experiences. What we do know is that Lazarus is paving the way in Ibiza, the world's premier clubbing destination. Tickets for his residence are available. here.
FOLLOW DAMIÁN LÁZARO:
Instagram: instagram.com/damian_lazarus
Facebook: facebook.com/DamianLazarus
Spotify: spoti.fi/3QQu8y5
FOLLOW HÏ IBIZA:
Instagram: instagram.com/hiibizaofficial
X: twitter.com/hiibizaofficial
Website: hiibiza.com
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