July 29, 2004
'Ha, Ha' To 'Wish You Were Here': Why Cell Phones Have Killed The Concert Lighter
At virtually any concert nowadays, cell phones have taken the place of cigarette lighters and increasingly, choose to call their friends or family members instead, to share the experience or, in some cases, to goad them, a practive sometimes called "cellcert".
Why? According to an informal survey conducted over two months in and around various New York concert venues, such behaviour stems from a desire to share the experience of the concert.
"Tom Ryan, a mobile-music consultant chalksup the phenomenon to proliferation of camera phones in the past 18 months, and the ability to share what previously couldn't be shared".
A sound recording can be enjoyed at any time," Ryan explained, "but the actual experience of a single concert is a unique, never-to-be-repeated experience. The cell phone enables someone to insert themselves into that experience — like, 'This is me at the Radiohead show.' It's a desire to express yourself at an amazing show, and you're bringing your friends into the concert, even if they could never enjoy it as much as you."
Related article: -- Mobile phones are the new lighters.
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