As phone cameras invade dancefloors, many argue that banning them could revive London’s nightlife magic and protect clubbers’ privacy
London: You know how it is when you’re out at a club, right? Back in my uni days, every wild moment was captured for Instagram. From silly selfies in the bathroom to those late-night chicken shop runs, nothing was off-limits. But looking back, I cringe at some of those posts.
Now that I’m older, I’ve realized that liveblogging my nights out isn’t the way to go. I actually enjoy myself more without the constant need to document everything. But it seems not everyone feels the same way. Just this week, Aussie DJ duo Flight Facilities got into hot water for posting videos of clubbers looking a bit too happy on the dancefloor. Seriously, who wants to be caught on camera in a vulnerable moment like that?
It’s a bit of a mess, really. What if those clubbers had family or friends who didn’t know about their party habits? Or what if they were at a queer event and didn’t want that part of their life exposed? It’s just not cool, and it makes you think about the need for a camera-free zone in clubs.
Interestingly, the whole no-camera thing isn’t new. It started in Berlin, where clubs like Berghain have had strict policies against photography for years. They believe that taking photos ruins the moment, and honestly, I get it. When you’re in a club, you want to be in the moment, not worrying about how you look on someone’s Instagram.
London is slowly catching on, with places like Fold and Fabric banning phone cameras. Even clubs in Manchester and Ibiza are jumping on the bandwagon. But honestly, it feels like there should be more. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to watch a DJ set through someone’s phone screen. It’s just awkward.
London’s nightlife could really use that mysterious vibe that Berlin has. Imagine going to a club where you can just enjoy the music without worrying about being filmed. Sure, not every night out needs to be phone-free, but for those special nights that cost a pretty penny, it would be nice to keep it a bit more private. So, if your club isn’t enforcing a no-phone policy, maybe it’s time to start your own. Trust me, you’ll have a blast.