Photo Credit: 350z33 / CC by 4.0
Tool’s Maynard James Keenan explains his strict ban on phones at their shows, except for specific songs, aims to make the experience more enjoyable.
Maynard James Keenan has a strict policy against phones at Tool shows, except for specific songs or moments. The musician explained that the idea behind the policy isn’t about ego, but to make the experience more enjoyable for more people.
“It’s not about us; it’s about the person behind you, because they’re having to look at the show,” said Keenan during an appearance on Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast. “This person paid, like, 70 bucks for a ticket, and now [they’re] back here trying to see the show through your phone. That’s just rude to people.”
“That’s why we pick a couple of songs and go, ‘You can film these,’ but don’t ruin somebody else’s experience for the rest of the show,” he continued. “It’s just selfish, and you’re unaware of your behavior.”
That policy is also the same for Keenan’s other bands, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, the latter of which is heading out on tour in support of their new album, Normal Isn’t.
“There are a few things, when you’re a kid, that your grandma or your mom taught you. Like, there are the danger ones, and then there are the courtesy ones, right? The danger ones are like, ‘Look both ways before you cross the street,’ right?” he added.
“And then there are the courtesy ones: please; thank you; yes or no sir; yes ma’am, no ma’am; don’t point—pointing is rude,” Keenan said, taking out his phone and pointing it at Steve-O to illustrate his statement. “You ‘point’ and shoot.”
Tool and Keenan’s other projects are far from the only bands to have spoken out against the use of phones at their concerts. Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders and Tobias Forge of Ghost have both come out against fans filming at their shows. Ghost, as well as Guns N’ Roses, Jack White, the Lumineers, and Alicia Keys, have all employed the use of Yondr pouches at concerts to ensure phones are safely put away and aren’t a distraction to other attendees.
