Technology / 10.26.22

Gig-Goers Suffering from 'Charge Anxiety' at Concerts as They Rely on Phones

Access Staff

Mirror (UK) (10/25/22) Lumley, Sarah

British concertgoers are suffering from "charge anxiety" as they rely on their phones to pay for drinks and merchandise, contact friends and more. According to a Virgin Media O2-commissioned study of 2,000 adults who regularly attend live music events, 57% fear their phone losing power at a show, leaving them unable to find someone they have lost track of. This research was completed to highlight the launch of Priority members being able to access portable phone chargers for free at O2 Academy venues across the U.K. Nearly one in five want to call friends so they can enjoy the music, 16% use their phone to pay for merchandise or drinks and 23% said worrying about their phone's battery detracts from the concert. In addition, 16% of fans said they would not want to attend a concert if they could not shoot photos or videos. Moreover, 29% feel they would miss an opportunity to record memories if they could not do so at a gig. "Whether it's for the likes or the personal memories — so they can re-watch 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?'" said Virgin Media O2's Jayd Williams. Meanwhile, gig-goers spend an average of 14 minutes of each concert recording content on their phone, and 76% shoot photos and videos every time they attend concerts. "We know how important it is to keep connected so you don't miss a moment, and we will be helping to keep gig-goers' phones fully charged during their favourite music artists' performance," Williams said. This research, commissioned by Virgin Media O2, was part of the launch strategy for Priority member free acces to portable phone chargers at O2 Academy venues.

Read the full story on Mirror.

Tags: Technology