Chrissie Hynde Slams Phone-Obsessed Concertgoers: ‘Why Can’t People Just Watch the Show?’

Chrissie Hynde is speaking out strongly against concertgoers who spend more time on their phones than watching live music.

The Pretenders frontwoman, 74, posted a message on social media on June 2, questioning why audiences feel the need to film concerts instead of simply experiencing them. She also wondered why people feel compelled to track daily habits like steps, but focused mainly on phone use at live events.

"Hi All! Question: What is it with people and their phones?" she wrote, adding that she doesn't understand why fans feel the need to record concerts or even museum visits, People reported.

Hynde said the issue recently came up during a dinner in London with country legend Emmylou Harris, where both artists discussed how common phone use has become at shows.

She said even when venues ask fans not to film, many people ignore the request. She also pointed to Bob Dylan's strict no-phone policy, saying she respects artists who try to protect the live experience. However, she noted that fans still often try to sneak recordings anyway.

Chrissie Hynde Says Phones Are Ruining Live Music

Hynde described one concert experience where a fan's phone light stayed on throughout the performance, blocking her view and distracting from the show.

According to Rolling Stone, when someone nearby asked the person to stop filming, the fan reportedly refused and told them to "mind your own business." She said the same thing happened again while attending actress Sarah Snook's one-woman stage show, where another audience member filmed despite it being disruptive.

Hynde extended her criticism beyond concerts, saying museum visits have also become frustrating. She recalled a "nightmare" experience at a Vincent van Gogh exhibition where visitors held up phones in front of paintings, making it difficult for others to see the artwork.

Frustrated by the trend, she said she no longer enjoys attending exhibitions because of constant phone use, comparing the behavior to people blocking others' view of art in public spaces.

"If Jesus Christ were to walk into a room, the first thing everyone would do would be to pull out their phone," she wrote, asking why people can't simply be present.

Some performers, including Jack White, have long encouraged audiences to stay off their devices, while others like Sabrina Carpenter have said they may consider similar rules in the future.

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Chrissie Hynde, Concerts