PANIC ON THE DANCEFLOOR: 57% of Brits feel ‘charge anxiety’ at concerts

A huge three in four Brits (76%) take photos and videos every time they attend a concert
Nearly half (45%) of UK-based Gen Z Brits wouldn’t attend a gig if it meant they couldn’t take a photo
Gig-goers spend an average of 14 minutes of each concert they attend capturing content on their phone
The research from Virgin Media O2 was commissioned to celebrate portable phone charges now being available to Priority members to use for free

Music mad Brits are suffering from ‘charge anxiety’ at concerts – because they rely on their phone to pay for travel, drinks, and merchandise, to contact gig-going pals and so they can capture memories and record content.

The study by Virgin Media O2 of 2,000 adults investigated how much Brits rely on their phone at concerts and revealed that 57% of Brits fear their phone running out of battery at a show, leaving them unable to find someone they’ve lost in the crowd.

Nearly one in five (17%) call friends who aren’t there so they can experience the music and 16% use their phone to pay for merchandise or drinks. A further 23% admitted they struggle to enjoy the concert if they’re fretting about their phone’s battery.

In addition to this, the research discovered that 16% of Brits wouldn’t even want to go to a concert if they couldn’t take photos or videos, increasing to 45% for 18–24-year-olds.

The study was commissioned by Virgin Media O2 to highlight the launch of Priority members being able to access portable phone chargers for free at O2 Academy venues across the UK. It also found that 29% of Brits feel they would fear missing an opportunity to capture memories if they couldn’t record at a gig.

Jayd Williams, Head of Music Partnerships & Sponsorship, O2 Academy at Virgin Media O2, said: “It’s clear that music fans want to be able to capture the moment when they’re at a music event without fear of their phone running flat.

“Since the rise of social media, sharing photos and videos of events has become the norm, with gig-goers wanting to show off their experience and what artists they’ve seen.

“Whether it’s for the likes or the personal memories – so they can rewatch and relive the moment – it seems that we now live in an age of ‘did you even go if you didn’t take a photo?”

The study also found gig-goers spend an average of 14 minutes of each concert they attend capturing content on their phone. This allows them to record memories (30%), share snaps with family and friends (19%) and post on social media (12%). And 76% take photos and videos every time they attend a concert.

But 18% worry about not being able to capture content if their mobile battery runs out during a performance, with 33% of 18–24-year-olds claiming they suffer this every time they’re at a gig.

The research also revealed that 59% of 18 – 24-year-olds have taken a tablet or iPad to a gig to record in comparison to just 30% of over 64’s.

More than a quarter of those polled, via OnePoll, even admitted they’d happily block someone else’s view if it meant they could get a better photo or video, which jumps to nearly half (48%) among 18–24-year-olds.

TOP 10 REASONS GIG GOERS WORRY ABOUT THEIR PHONE BATTERY DYING DURING A CONCERT:

Not feeling safe on my way home without a phone
Not being able to message a friend who I’ve lost in the crowd
Not being able to find my route home after the gig
Not being able to take photos or videos
Not being able to speak to loved ones
Not being able to pay for merch or drinks at the gig via my smartphone
Not being able to listen to music or a podcast on my journey home
Not being able to video call or call friends during the gig who aren’t able to make the gig
Not being available to speak to work colleagues
Not being able to play games

ENDS

Notes to Editor

The survey by One Poll was carried out 29 September 2022 – 5 October 2022