Modern clubbers face a difficult choice: should they dance freely or record the moment for social media?
A new survey commissioned by Ray-Ban Meta recently explored this dilemma.
The study found that half of all clubbers believe phones are “ruining” the dancefloor.
Ironically, 55% of those same people admit they use their phones while dancing.
Capturing the Moment vs. Being Present
The poll, which questioned 2,000 adults in October, highlights a familiar scene in nightlife.
The urge to record often competes with the desire to enjoy the music.
Among those who use phones while grooving, 60% film themselves or their friends.
Meanwhile, 34% use their devices to share content or communicate with others.
This tension reflects a growing trend in music culture.
A previous 2024 Heineken study found that 55% of fans prioritize filming a performance over staying present.
Interestingly, 13% of those fans admit they rarely watch the videos they record.
Read more: Spotify Protest Wave: Artists Remove Their Catalogs
Venues Take a Stand
In response to this trend, many iconic venues are fighting back.
London institutions like fabric and Fold now enforce strict no-photo policies.
These clubs aim to protect the sense of freedom that a dancefloor provides.
Additionally, the revived Sankeys in Manchester plans to reopen with a similar no-phone approach.
Searching for a Solution
Veteran DJ Fat Tony describes the presence of screens as both a blessing and a curse.
He notes that mobile screens often pull people away from the actual experience.
To solve this, he recently launched an experiment called Club 2.0.
In this club, staff lock phones away while providing Ray-Ban Meta glasses as a hands-free way to document the night.
While some see this as progress, others worry it simply swaps one screen for another.
Ultimately, as the memory of pre-phone nightlife fades, the culture must decide how to value presence over digital proof.
