Phone out for the whole set? Blocking everyone's view? Here's how to capture the moment without ruining it for literally everyone else.
Look, we all want to remember the gigs we love. Problem is, half of Australia's trying to film C.W. Stoneking at Lefty's or catch Joan & The Giants at The Old Bar through a 2cm phone screen held at shoulder height.
Let's be real: you're not making a feature film. Put the phone away for 80% of the set.
The Golden Rule
If you're at a gig—whether it's a sweaty indie room or the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall—you're there to experience music, not broadcast it. Your mates don't need a 12-minute Instagram Story. They need you present and actually vibing.
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That said, documenting live music isn't inherently evil. It's just about restraint and respect.
The Actual Strategy
Pick your moments, not the whole night. Wait for the killer chorus. The unexpected cover. That one song everyone knows. Get two or three clips max, then your phone goes back in your pocket. Seriously.
Shoot horizontal, obviously. If you're filming, at least respect the format. Nobody watches vertical video of a live set unless they're suffering.
Avoid the front-row phone wall. You know the vibe—five people staring at tiny screens while the artist's pouring their soul out. Don't be that. Stand slightly back, enjoy the actual acoustics with your actual ears.
Never block the person behind you. This is non-negotiable. Your phone held aloft is someone else's sightline. Be aware of your physical footprint.
Skip the flash. Ever. You're not helping. You're just blinding the band and everyone around you.
Where It Actually Matters
Festival grounds like Wake Me Up When Spring Begins or Black Plague Festival? Go nuts a bit. The vibe's already chaotic, stages are bigger, lines of sight are deeper. You can afford to be looser.
Intimate rooms at Lazybones or The Vanguard? Tighter etiquette applies. Smaller rooms, closer proximity, nowhere to hide your phone obsession.
The Real Talk
Most people who film entire sets never actually watch the footage. It sits in your phone's graveyard of blurry audio and shaky frames. Meanwhile, you missed the moment you paid money to experience.
Live music is one of the few things in 2026 that still demands presence. Lean into it. Your memory will thank you more than your camera roll.
Ready to catch something great? Explore what's on right now across Australia on musick.com.au—and this time, leave the phone mostly in your pocket.