Everyone knows that concertgoers spend an awful amount of time scanning their phones at live music events. Your correspondent might be a tad snobbish, but he would consider the total amount of time as "obnoxious." Ticketfly recently teamed up with Harris Poll to figure out just how long we're spending looking at our phone versus at the stage, and then what we're using that phone time for.
The bad news: More than 31 percent—or approaching one in three live music attendees—is using their phone for more than half of the concert.
The good news...kind of: At least 40 percent of females polled were using their phones to either shoot video or take pictures at the concert, which they then-or-later posted to social media. It's at least reasonable for someone to attempt capturing the moment forever using photos or video, although this cranky concertgoer would also argue that if you're at a concert in person, looking at the real thing will be more hi-res than the most high resolution of videos. That's still only 40 percent of women however. And the men? Just 24 percent shoot video or photos at shows using their phones.
What else could possibly be going on?
Turns out a decent amount of people are using mobile devices to look for deals on food and beverages, as well as merchandise. Sixty percent in fact. Some also use smartphones to look for information on acts. We can only hope that these things are going on between sets.
One piece of information is especially odd however...only single people seem to be using phones for social media at concerts. A mere 9 percent of married folk report doing so. Is posting photos of a concert a possible tool for grabbing the attention of potential mates? There's not enough evidence to solidly say "yes," but one of the first questions many folks ask a stranger is what kind of music they're into...perhaps a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram post from the Drake concert might lay the answer out for the world to see and take notice in.
Our recommendation: Take a photo and post it later. The love of your life will get to you eventually, but Drake's set time is only 90 minutes.
