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A new nightclub is opening this week with a strict rule that your smartphone camera must be covered with a sticker.
Amber’s in Manchester is the latest in a handful of venues in the UK to enforce the policy – but in cities like Berlin, renowned for its nightclubs, it’s the norm.
Amber’s director Jeremy abbott told the BBC the club made the decision because “we really want the music and the experience to be front and center”, but the issue is being debated on social media.
Some posted on Instagram concerns that clubs could suffer as social media videos of their night act as free adverts, while others welcomed the move as “partying with privacy”.
“It is the fear of being put on the internet isn’t it?” one woman told the BBC when we asked young people in Manchester how they feel about a no camera phones in clubs rule.
“Being really drunk and that embarrassing picture of you ending up on Insta, waking up and seeing the events of last night.”
Another woman said: “It does make the vibe better, as the less people [are] on their phone, engaging more with the DJ and stuff, that’s the better habitat to have.”
‘Phones in the air’
So are Britain’s clubs at a turning point? Is now the time to get phones off the dancefloor and people’s minds back on the music?
Sacha Lord, night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, thinks so. “These phones are killing the dancefloor,they’re killing the atmosphere,” he says.
“DJs hate it. To look out into a sea of phones and no-one’s dancing is really demoralising.”
Smokin Jo, who has been DJing since 1990, remembers when the rave and club scene was burgeoning in the late 80s and early 90s.
“Everyone’s got their hands in the air, there’s joy, there’s happiness. Now there’s these videos being posted of people standing still with their phone in the air. It’s so sad,” she says.
But Dr lee Hadlington, senior lecturer in cyberpsychology at Nottingham Trent University, says for those clubbers, “part of their enjoyment is to document their night in terms of photos and memories”.
At Amber’s, phones are not banned outright but clubbers will be required to put a sticker over the camera lens to prevent photos being taken.A content team will be on hand to take and post photos online instead.
People violating the rule will be “politely asked to stop”, says Abbott. “If you are seen doing it again, you will be asked to leave the venue.”
The rule comes at a tricky time for Britain’s nightclub scene, which has struggled to recover from the numerous Covid lockdowns.
Between June 2020 and June this year, the number of clubs has fallen from 1,266 to 786, according to figures from the Night Time Industries Association and research firm NeilsenIQ.
Abbott concedes Amber’s no phone rules is a risk but says the club has been “blown away” by the response.
Graeme Park, one of Britain’s best-known DJs and a leading figure from Manchester’s legendary Hacienda nightclub, says: “I totally, totally understand and think that no smartphones on the dancefloor is a great idea.
“However, I’ve got a 20-year-old son. He makes music, he DJs, he goes clubbing and he’s like, ‘why’s your generation telling our generation we can’t use our smartphones?’
Ben Park, Graeme’s son, says: “Personally, I’ve got nothing against phones being in clubs. I understand the whole no phone policy but at the same time people want to post pictures of them or their friends on social media, people want to promote it online.”
But he understands why some clubbers – and DJs – get annoyed by so-called TikTok ravers who “literally go to events just to show that they’ve been there and just post it on TikTok,” he says.
Cyberpsychologist Dr Hadlington says for these clubbers, it could be about a fear of missing out on social media action.
“The paradox is they’re spending more time posting about it then they’re enjoying the good time,” he says.
It might be a relatively new concept in the UK, but in Berlin, 90% of venues have a no phones on the dancefloor code, according to Lutz Leichsenring, former spokesperson for Clubcommission Berlin and co-founder of VibeLab.
He says that with more tourists coming to the German capital to enjoy the scene, “I think people really appreciated that this policy was a part of clubbing”.
Amber’s is adopting the same policy that London nightclub fabric has had in place since reopening in 2021 after Covid. the venue has actually been camera-free since it opened its doors in 1999 but as technology changed and smartphones became more ubiquitous it has tweaked its policy.
“when people come in at the point of search, we put a sticker on the camera lens and just really sort of invite people not to use it, that’s all it is,” says fabric’s co-founder Cameron Leslie.
He says for the most part clubbers abide by the rule. “It’s not an aggressive enforcement,” he says. “We have posters up in the club and then beyond that if people do use it and our team do see them we invite them not to.”
“Maybe DJs need to have a clause in their contract saying ‘I’ll do the gig but you need to have some sort of policy’ because we’re losing the identity of the scene and the roots of it.”
Fellow DJ Graeme Park thinks there is no easy answer to smartphones in nightclubs but says: “It is a really, really good thing that people are talking about it.
“It’s the cultural zeitgeist changing and that’s the great thing about clubbing, the attitudes change every decade or every few years.”
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How is smartphone usage affecting the nightlife experience in clubs?
Interview between Time.news editor and Dr. Lee Hadlington, Senior Lecturer in Cyberpsychology
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Hadlington! It’s great to have you here to discuss the fascinating developments in the nightclub scene, particularly regarding Amber’s new “no camera” policy.How do you perceive this shift in nightlife culture?
Dr. Lee hadlington: Thank you for having me! It’s a compelling topic. The decision by Amber’s in Manchester to require clubbers to cover their camera lenses reflects a growing concern about the impact of smartphones on social experiences. While I understand the desire to enhance the atmosphere on the dancefloor,we must also consider how documenting these moments plays a role in the enjoyment of clubbing for many people.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! There seems to be a divide in opinion about this policy. Some view it as a positive step towards privacy and focusing on the experience,while others argue that social media serves as a free advertisement for clubs.What’s your take on this?
Dr. Lee hadlington: that’s an engaging tension. On one hand, restricting cameras can help create an habitat where clubbers engage more fully with the music and each other, which can enhance the atmosphere. However, the act of sharing moments online also contributes considerably to a club’s branding and visibility. Documenting experiences can be a vital aspect of the modern nightlife for many. It’s about finding that balance between enjoying the moment and capturing it.
Time.news Editor: Sacha Lord,the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester,mentioned that phones “are killing the dancefloor.” Do you think this reflects a broader societal issue with phone distraction during social interactions?
Dr. Lee Hadlington: Quiet possibly! Our addiction to smartphones and the constant urge to document our lives can detract from genuine experiences.In club scenarios, this detachment can be felt not just by DJs looking out at a sea of screens but also by other club-goers who might feel disconnected from the live experience. It’s a reflection of a wider trend in society, where we often prioritize documenting our lives over fully participating in them.
Time.news Editor: That resonates with many sentiments expressed by young clubbers about the fear of embarrassing moments being captured and shared online. How do you suggest clubs navigate this challenge while still appealing to a tech-savvy crowd?
Dr.Lee Hadlington: clubs need to engage in open dialog with their patrons. One approach like Amber’s,where they offer photo services while maintaining the policy,could strike a balance between documenting the fun and encouraging real-time engagement. educating patrons about the benefits of being “in the moment” could also foster a healthier nightlife culture. After all, clubbing should ultimately be about the music, the dance, and the shared experience.
Time.news Editor: With the recent decline in the number of nightclubs in Britain, do you think implementing such policies could help revive interest and attendance?
Dr. Lee Hadlington: It’s certainly a possibility. Revitalizing the club scene will likely require innovative thinking and experimentation with policies that create vibrant experiences. By prioritizing atmosphere over engagement through phones, clubs like Amber’s may be able to attract patrons who are seeking authentic experiences. It’ll be interesting to see how this trend evolves and whether it leads to a resurgence in nightlife as we navigate post-pandemic realities.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr.Hadlington. Your insights into the intersection of technology, psychology, and nightlife culture are invaluable. We look forward to seeing how these trends unfold!
Dr. Lee Hadlington: Thank you for having me! it’s an exciting time to explore these shifts in culture, and I believe finding that balance will be crucial for the future of nightlife.