21 hours ago
Why Sabrina Carpenter might ban phones at her shows and why it could be the wellness reset we didn't know we needed
Sabrina Carpenter has opened the conversation around her concerts becoming phone-free, but will her fans adjust to the idea?
If you've ever been to a concert and found yourself watching it through someone else's phone screen or worse, through your own - you're not alone. We exist in a world where everything is documented, filtered and posted before the final encore, and now Sabrina Carpenter is daring to ask the question: What if we just… didn't?
Whether it's doom-scrolling between acts or missing your favourite song because you're filming it instead of feeling it, research has shown that constant smartphone use can erode our ability to stay present.
Carpenter's comment might have shocked her social-media-savvy fan base, but in a world craving genuine connection and mindful living, it actually makes a lot of sense. And it's not just about nostalgia - it's about concerts.
'They locked my phone,' she explained. 'I've never had a better experience at a concert. I genuinely felt like I was back in the Seventies. Everyone's singing, dancing, looking at each other and laughing. It really, really just felt so beautiful.'
The 'Espresso' singer shared that the best concert experience she's had in recent years was a phone-free one seeing Silk Sonic perform in Las Vegas.
'This will honestly piss off my fans, but absolutely,' she said when asked if she'd consider implementing a no-phone policy.
In a recent Rolling Stone interview, the pop darling and rising global star opened up about the idea of banning phones at her concerts.
Sabrina Carpenter is toying with the idea of hosting phone-free concerts so that her fans can be in the moment.
According to a study published in the Environment and Behavior Journal, people who experience live music events without phones report significantly higher levels of joy and emotional connection to the experience.
From a lifestyle wellness perspective, this shift away from screens at concerts is a subtle but significant rebellion against burnout culture. It's a reminder to be here, now without needing to post about it for validation.
HuffPost reports that major artists like Jack White, Alicia Keys, Madonna and Bob Dylan have already jumped on this train. These phone-free events typically use technology like Yondr - a system that locks your phone in a secure pouch you keep with you during the performance but can't open until you're back in a designated area.
It's not a punishment; it's a permission slip to unplug. Why does this matter in the age of overstimulatio? We're living in a time of hyperconnectivity. Notifications, screen time and the pressure to record 'content' from every life moment have made it harder than ever to simply enjoy what's in front of us.
For Gen Z - Carpenter's biggest fanbase - life is lived online. But even they are starting to show signs of digital fatigue.
In fact, Common Sense Media reports that 59% of teens say they feel addicted to their phones, and 72% feel the need to immediately respond to notifications, even when they're busy with something else.
Add the pressure to capture the 'perfect' concert memory, and suddenly a fun night out becomes a stress-inducing experience.
Start of a digital detox movement?
Sabrina's musings come at a moment when many of us are quietly craving disconnection.
Her cheeky, self-aware remark, 'You cannot zoom in on my face. Right now, my skin is soft and supple. It's fine. Do not zoom in on me when I'm 80-years-old up there' might seem like a lighthearted joke, but it speaks to something deeper: boundaries, ageing in the spotlight and reclaiming privacy.
She also acknowledges that she grew up with phones at concerts, and she gets it.
'I can't blame people for wanting to have memories,' she told Rolling Stone. But she leaves the door open for change: 'Depending on how long I want to be touring, and what age I am ... girl, take those phones away.'
Don't panic just yet
For now, fans can breathe easy. Carpenter says she doesn't plan to enforce this rule any time soon. But the seed is planted.
And it invites a bigger conversation: Can we still have fun without documenting every second? Can a concert be more than a reel or TikTok trend but an actual memory?
