Unplugged Ecstasy: Are Raves Are Better Without Phones
Phones at raves…it’s become somewhat of an annoyance for a lot of people. Thousands of glowing screens in your eyeline, arms reaching over you to get that shot that will likely never be looked at again. Music meant to be heard exclusively by the ravers who have spent their hard earned money to attend that show being leaked all over social media for the world to see and share. The way people partied pre-camera phone meant letting go, dancing like nobody was watching and living in that moment.
Of late, we have noticed a wave of events and venues declaring a no-phone policy, the latest and probably one of the most notable of those is Pikes, Ibiza.
The famed hotel and venue announced their no-phone policy for their Monday night events back in April, which caused quite a stir across the island. However, due to the positive feedback from the ravers and the venue itself they have decided to extend that policy to every night of the week!
On arrival, ravers will have a sticker placed over the camera on their phones and will be encouraged to keep their phones in their pockets, the new policy will also be “ever-so-politely” enforced throughout the night by the venue staff. In an instagram post Pikes wrote:
“Keeping your phone in your pocket and your mind on the music – and knowing that everyone around you is doing the same – opens up a whole world of freedom, not only on the dancefloor but all around Pikes. So, we’ve decided to introduce the policy seven nights a week.”
“We want you to dance like no one’s watching. We want the very special guests in our booth and our resident DJs alike to feel as comfortable as if they were at a friend’s house party, with the freedom to dance, sing, jump, squeal, shout and celebrate however they like. We want you to find your new best friends, make memories that live in your mind, not on your phone, and experience the magic of Pikes the way it was always intended to be. After all, what happens at Pikes stays at Pikes…”
The idea of banning phones on the dancefloor, specifically from taking photos and videos is an idea we are now seeing rolled out across the world. From Nowadays in New York to fabric and Fold in London. It is also a policy that has been adopted across the rest of the white isle too, with Hï Ibiza asking visitors to the Damian Lazarus, James Hype and Meduza club room residencies to also put away the phones and live for the rave.
We think this is a thoroughly positive movement and hope to see this rolled out in many more venues and events around the world. Raves in the 80’s and 90’s were built on the core values of living in the moment and we think this move could save club culture!
Main photo credit: Gigxels
