Music
KEN Mode will spit on you if you text at their shows
by Tyler Munro
December 13, 2013
via ListenHarder
KEN Mode put on an incredible show, one that’s both incendiary and engaging. But like a lot of bands, they struggle with the occasional audience member that seems intent on either watching the show entirely through the perspective of their cell phones or ignoring it altogether to text, and last night, they seemed to say enough is enough. Here’s what they posted to Facebook:
Before you lose your shit over this, consider the following: they’re clearly venting. It’s an exaggeration, and more than that, they’re taking issue with people standing directly up front and all-but-ignoring them. It’s easy to see where there coming from, harsh as this might sound. They’re not taking a larger stance like Zooey Deschanel, Yeah Yeah Yeahs or Bob Dylan, bands that have band phones from shows outright.
Naturally, there was still some reaction.
“start writing msuic [sic] instead of this garbage. maybe then you WILL see me in front of your stage,” said one fan on Facebook. “Fuck you and your shitty band. If I pay to go see a show I can fucking text during your shit set if I want to. I can’t wait to see the legal issues that will follow you doing this. Fucking tools,” wrote another.
And because many Facebook fans were unable to see past hyperbole, the band clarified their stance earlier today.
But if you ask us, they don’t need to apologize. Spitting is gross, and kicking phones out of fans hands is a step too far, but does anyone think they’ll actually go through with this? KEN Mode work really hard and it shows—Entrench was one of 2013’s best albums and their live set is consistently mind blowing. Consider the exhaustion touring bands can face and try to see where they’re coming from. If you’re not there to enjoy the music, maybe step back a bit? It’s really, really rude to be ignoring a band giving their all four feet in front of you. Texting in front of the stage might not earn you getting spat on, but it still makes you a dick. That’s a rule people should live by when it comes to live music: don’t be a dick.
