Jack White’s upcoming tour will feature something rare indeed in modern music: A screen-free viewing experience for all who attend.
The singer and producer issued a statement alongside dates for his US tour, telling those who wish to attend his shows that they will have to cut the proverbial umbilical cord and go phone or tablet-free for the night.
“No photos, video or audio recording devices allowed,” the statement read. “We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it IN PERSON.”
According to a post on Consequence of Sound, phones will be allowed at the venue, but will need to be locked away in Yondr pouches upon arrival. “You keep your pouch-secured phone on you during the show,” the statement read. “and, if needed, can unlock your phone at any time in a designated Yondr Phone Zone located in the lobby or concourse.”
White has made no bones about his preference that folks watch his performances through their eyes, rather than through the screen of their phones held up at arms length trying to capture video or photos as he plays. Who hasn’t had a show experience marred by the seeming need by everyone else in the crowd to capture every moment on video (which they likely will never watch again, at least once they’ve published their “Snap” or “‘Gram” to let the world know how awesome they are.
The policy does make for some interesting questions, however – how much will the need to stow and then recover phones add to wait times at the start and end of the show for the audiences for starters? A show this week featuring the Foo Fighters saw the show delayed due to massive security lines, and as far as we know, everyone was able to keep their handheld mobile computers upon entry. Also, what happens if a venue pushes for mobile-only entry? Does that mean a person is required to bring their mobile device with them for entry, then immediately get in another line to store it?
We shall see.
Jack White 2018 Tour
04/19 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
04/20 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
04/21 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe
04/23 – Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena
04/24 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
04/25 – St. Louis, MO @ Chaifetz Arena
04/27 – Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory
04/29 – Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory
04/30 – Houston, TX @ Revention Music Center
05/01 – Houston, TX @ Revention Music Center
05/02 – Austin, TX @ Austin360 Amphitheater
05/04-05 – Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Music Festival
05/06 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz Fest
05/26 – Boston, MA @ Boston Calling Music Festival
05/27 – Cooperstown, NY @ Brewery Ommegang
05/29 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
06/01-03 – New York, NY @ Governors Ball Music Festival
06/04 – Columbus, OH @ Express Live!
06/06 – Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavillion at Nautica
06/07 – Rochester, NY @ Dome Arena
06/08 – Lewiston, NY @ Artpark Mainstage Theater
06/09 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
06/27 – London, UK @ Hammersmith Apollo
06/28 – London, UK @ Hammersmith Apollo
07/02 – Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS Live
07/03 – Paris, FR @ L’Olympia
07/04 – Paris, FR @ L’Olympia
07/07 – Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
07/13 – Madrid, ES @ Mad Cool Festival
07/14 – Lisbon, PT @ NOS Alive Festival
07/15 – Joensuu, FI @ Ilosaarirock Festival
08/06 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory
08/08 – Broomfield, CO @ 1st Bank Center
08/09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ SaltAir
08/11 – Portland, OR @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
08/12 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
08/13 – Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theatre
08/15 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
08/19 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
08/21 – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
08/22 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
08/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
