Tool’s Maynard James Keenan Doubling Down On Using Phones At His Shows

Concertgoers using phones has been a topic of debate for years and despite most artists probably preferring their crowd to ‘live in the moment’ but that doesn’t stop the majority of people whipping them out regardless.

The lead singer for the bands Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer Maynard James Keenan is among the most critical artists. He and his bands have gone to many lengths to ensure fans keep their phones pocketed during concerts, only able to record video or take pictures under Keenan's direct instruction. Usually, this is at the very end of the show.

Punters at his gigs caught disobeying the no-phone rules have in the past been kicked out of shows, and it’s not something he feels remorse over. When interviewed he said simply “It’s rude”

Keenan followed up by saying, “There’s no way you can actually capture what’s happening in that live moment on a phone," the singer continues, "You’re missing the opportunity of actually absorbing in real time what’s happening. The art of storytelling. Being able to actually recount what you saw without having to record it. Training your brain to live in the moment and see the thing, but more importantly, stop annoying the person behind you."

He continued to argue by saying “It’s annoying, it’s distracting and it’s distracting for us, too. So put it the fuck away, grow the fuck up. It’s only two hours. And at the end of the show, we usually let you film a song, so you get your souvenir,"

He followed up by saying  "If we have to throw out a dozen people because they’re being arrogant assholes, selfish pricks,"

Not the first time Keenan has used such language towards the subject. At a Tool show in Canada in mid-December of last year, Keenan urged one fan recording video to "take the light off, dickhead." Repeating the demand, he added, "Don't be American," before again calling the person a "dickhead."

Do you save up videos at gigs or are you a ‘Dickhead’?