Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 recently weighed in on the growing push to restrict mobile phones at live shows, saying he’s comfortable with fans recording performances and posting clips online. His stance puts him at odds with several high-profile rock acts who have embraced stricter policies in an effort to keep audiences focused on the stage.
Discussing the issue via Louder Sound, John 5 encouraged fans to “record the show” and share it, arguing that footage can bring “a little joy” to people who can’t attend concerts in person.
“Many bands object when the fans film the show on their phones. I don’t mind,” John 5 said. “Record the show, put it online. It’s your phone. There are a lot of people that won’t be able to see it, so let’s give them a little joy.”
John 5’s comments contrast with Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, who has criticised phones as “annoying” and “distracting” during performances, and said the clips captured on screens are often “not a good representation” of what’s happening in the room.
The debate has also been pushed by Ghost’s Mr. Tobias Forge, who has argued that widespread filming creates a “deeply disconnected” atmosphere in arenas. The discussion comes as Mötley Crüe continue to face questions about their long-term plans, with the band recently saying they have ‘nothing planned, unfortunately’ when asked about what’s next.
For now, John 5 appears to be siding with concertgoers who want the freedom to document moments from the pit and share them, while other artists continue experimenting with phone-free shows to try to preserve immersion and limit distractions for nearby fans.
