Lily Huynh/The Cougar
Hey! Welcome to the second issue of Rahaf Reviews. In this column, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on all things media-related.
This week, I’m exploring the concept of no-phone concerts through Phoebe Bridgers’ Lost Boys Tour. I’ll be rating the experience out of five stars based on five categories: location, venue organization, opening act, main performance, and overall experience. Each category is worth one star.
If you have any suggestions on what I should review next, reach out and let me know!
Location
I attended the Lost Boys Tour at Moody Stadium in Austin, Texas.
The stadium itself was spacious and accessible, with elevators and escalators available for concertgoers seated on different levels. Unfortunately, escalators were not working during my time at the concert. But my tickets were in the 100s section, which not only provided a great view of both stages but also did not require me to use an escalator. One of my favorite details was the division between Stage A and Stage B. Bridgers designed the two stages to accommodate separate general admission sections, appropriately named “Above” and “Below.” The names reference the lyrics “As above, so below” from her song “As Above”.
Entry organization- 1/1
The line to enter the stadium was fairly long, and the merchandise lines weren’t much better. Before entering, every concertgoer was required to place their phone inside a sealed Yondr pouch, which remained in their possession throughout the show. The pouch could only be unlocked by a Yondr staff member after leaving the venue.
Contrary to my initial assumptions, these pouches are not transparent. Your phone is completely concealed, meaning there’s no checking the time or even reading notifications. The moment you enter the stadium, time essentially becomes a construct. You’re disconnected from the outside world, something I found both fascinating and slightly unsettling. I couldn’t help but laugh at the number of concertgoers asking workers and vendors what time it was. Apparently, none of us realized how frequently we rely on our phones for something as simple as checking the time. Inside, the stadium offered several merchandise stands and plenty of food, dessert and drink options.
However, one of the most memorable additions was a complimentary photo booth provided by Bridgers’ team. Concertgoers could take as many pictures as they wanted and receive two physical copies at no cost. Considering that many modern photo booths charge upward of $7 for a single photo strip, this was a thoughtful touch.
But it also raised an interesting question: If the purpose of a no-phone concert is to encourage people to live in the moment, why do we still feel such a strong need to prove we were there? The nearly two-hour line for the photo booth seemed to demonstrate just how deeply that desire to document our experiences has become ingrained in us. While I understand the intention behind the policy, I couldn’t help but feel that some of these inconveniences could have been better addressed.
Opening act- 0.5/1
Bridgers’ opening act was Alex G, and unfortunately, his performance left me disappointed. Alex G performed for approximately an hour and a half, but I struggled to connect with the set. His stage presence lacked the energy and enthusiasm I typically look for in an opening act, and the limited crowd interaction didn’t do much to improve my impression. Although I recognize that his musical style may appeal to other concertgoers, I personally found the performance underwhelming. As much as I hate giving an artist zero points, I couldn’t justify awarding this category a star.
Main performance- 0/1
Phoebe Bridgers’ performance was truly an enjoyable experience. From the space-inspired lighting to the moon imagery and atmospheric visual effects, the entire production felt almost extraterrestrial. The stage design created an immersive environment that complemented her music beautifully. Bridgers explained that one of her motivations for implementing a no-phone policy was to preserve her artistic vision. With hundreds of phone screens, camera flashes and recording lights scattered throughout the audience, the carefully designed lighting and visual effects could easily lose their intended impact.
After experiencing the show myself, I understood her reasoning. But her decision extended beyond aesthetics. Bridgers also spoke about wanting to create a more intimate environment, one where she could share vulnerable thoughts without worrying that every word would be recorded and permanently circulated online.
Overall Experience- 1/1
Bridgers has definitely outdone herself, not only with her performance but also with the thought and creativity behind the concert experience. Although the no-phone policy initially made me a bit iffy, I noticed I was able to focus more closely on the music, the visuals and the people around me.
Still, I don’t believe no-phone concerts are necessarily for everyone. For some, recording a favorite song is part of preserving a meaningful memory. For others, having access to their phone provides a sense of comfort and security. The experience made me realize that being present and wanting to document a moment aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. What made this concert special wasn’t simply the absence of phones. It was the intention behind that decision and the environment Bridgers created as a result.
Would I attend another no-phone concert? Absolutely, although I might bring a watch next time.
The verdict- 1/1
Despite some organizational inconveniences and a disappointing opening act, Phoebe Bridgers’ Lost Boys Tour delivered an unforgettable main performance. While I still have mixed feelings about the practical limitations of no-phone concerts, I walked away with a greater appreciation; sometimes, a memory doesn’t need a photograph to be worth keeping.
Overall- 3.5/5 stars
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