Nicola Benedetti, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, has announced a new policy requiring audiences to switch off their phones completely during chamber concerts to prevent disruptions. The move comes after every one of the 19 intimate chamber performances held at Queen’s Hall last year was interrupted by mobile devices, a situation that frustrated both performers and attendees.
Benedetti, an award-winning musician who has led the festival since 2022, emphasized the need for a phone-free environment to allow audiences to fully engage with the performances. “Phones are disruptive,” she said, urging concertgoers to “turn your phones off from when the performance starts until that final moment.” She acknowledged that modern devices can be complex to manage, and to assist with this, the festival will introduce a dedicated bar at Queen’s Hall where staff will help patrons disable or silence their phones.
The new protocol aims to encourage audiences to “tune out the outside world” by eliminating interruptions caused by calls, messages, and notifications during the concerts. Benedetti clarified that attendees are welcome to take photos and videos before and after performances but must ensure devices remain off for the duration of the show. The policy will apply exclusively to indoor chamber concerts and will not extend to the festival’s outdoor events or its dementia-friendly performance.
The issue of mobile phone use in live performance settings has gained wider attention recently. Last month, actress Rosamund Pike publicly chastised a member of her audience at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre for texting during the tense finale of the play Inter Alia. Pike expressed her frustration directly after the show, highlighting the impact such distractions can have on both performers and other attendees.
By implementing this phone-off policy and providing assistance with device management, the Edinburgh International Festival aims to create a more immersive and respectful concert experience for its audiences, addressing a challenge that has become increasingly prevalent in live performances worldwide.