Damon Albarn has weighed in on Bob Dylan’s decision to ban phones from his upcoming 10-date UK tour, pointing out that it’s a musician’s job to capture their fans’ attention during concerts.
“If you start banning things where does it end? I think you’ve just got to turn up and do your thing,” the Blur and Gorillaz frontman told BBC. “People won’t want to be on their phone if you’re engaging with them correctly.”
Each date on Dylan’s November tour will require fans to switch off their mobile phones and put them in a Yondr pouch, which will then be locked by the venue’s staff until they leave the building.
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Yondr pouches are hardly new in the entertainment industry, having previously been used by Dave Chappelle, Jack White, Childish Gambino, Guns N Roses, Tool, and more.
However, Albarn believes mobile phones can actually enhance the concertgoing experience. Speaking to BBC about Blur’s Wembley Stadium shows chronicled in the new documentary To the End, he recalled fans holding up their phones in lieu of cigarette lighters during their performance of “Tender.”
Dylan is slated to spend most of the remainder of 2024 on the road. Following the ongoing “Outlaw Music Festival Tour” with Willie Nelson, he will embark on a European run in October ahead of the UK dates. Snag your tickets here.
Earlier this week, Albarn received an honorary degree from the University of Exeter. To the End goes behind the scenes of Blur’s 2023 comeback album, The Ballad of Darren, and supporting reunion tour. Revisit our 2023 cover story about the band.
