The taper community would probably like a word with Ms. Mitski and would take issue with the concept that it can be "overdone". I'd be curious to hear
@Yer Ol' Uncle D's thoughts on whether the fact this is video recording vs. the historically accepted audio recording changes the dynamics in a tapers mind.
Further, while this is not the hot take thread, and I am most definitely NOT the kind of person to do this - there is an argument to be made that with ticket prices/fees what they are "I'll enjoy the show they way I want to enjoy the show (as long as I'm not breaking the venues rules)."
What's next - hey I'm playing up here can you NOT hang out at the bar during my set?
I once was at a show and the performer got upset b/c people weren't standing and said something about it. I paid for the seat and Imma sit if I want to sit - especially if you are going to fill your set with a bunch of slow mid-tempo songs. (It was Jeff Tweedy BTW).
I dont know, I guess I have little patience for any performer who tells me how I'm supposed to be "enjoying" the show.
The easiest way to boil down the difference in the original taping scene and the cellphone age, more times than not, comes down to one letter - old school = WE, new school = ME.
The original audio recording scene (and also video later on) was all about creating a relationship with the band, documenting the show in the best way possible (money was invested in the gear necessary to capture a great recording, all out of the taper's pocket), the least obtrusive way possible (you'll usually find taper erectus set up in the vicinity of the soundboard blocking no sightlines or harshing anyone's mellow) and getting those recordings to the fans. In most cases, taper's did what they did for the love of the band - we wanted to help them gain a wider audience, sell more records, sell more tickets and sell more t-shirts. And for that reason, the vast majority of us freely shared what we spent $ and hours producing. And that's why you can go to the Live Music Archive, among others, and freely stream or download 16K Dead shows, 1K DBT shows, 1.3K Smashing Pumpkins shows, and shows by thousands of other bands.
Also, there are tons of bands out there that aren't audio taper friendly, yet they'll allow a bunch of poorly recorded trash be posted on YouTube. I just don't understand that. A quality capture could do them so much good. Conversely, there are bands who recognize how important it is to have a quality recording shared for free to promote themselves. I've enjoyed relationships with a number of bands over the years that recognized the time, money and effort put into sharing a free, quality recording to move them forward and they reciprocated with free tix in exchange for the freely shared audio/video work.
As I view it, and this is just one man's opinion, the cellphones held aloft at more shows than not are about "see me, where I am right now, what I'm doing." A portion of the song is recorded, the head goes down looking at the device, the clip is immediately posted to Facegram, some conversation is exchanged with a mate about how a clip of the show was just shared, they look back to the stage and the song is over. My favorite is the person who looks at their phone or talks during the whole song and then lets out an obnoxiously loud "Woooooo" at the end. I don't understand why you would come to a concert, a gathering that's all about the music, and spend most of your time not paying attention to the music. But that's just me.
I've been to shows by Jack White, The Black Crowes and Bob Dylan where they have it plastered all over the venue and they announce up front "No mobile phone usage or you will be ejected" and were dead serious. Saw a few get tossed. And I have to say, as an attendee, no phones held aloft made the whole thing much more enjoyable. In my old age, I usually tend to stand in the back half of the room. Plus, I'm kinda tall and I just think it's more courteous to others. Can't tell you how many times I've had someone move in front of me and constantly hold a mobile aloft in front of my face. That's back to the ME.
With that said, I in no way agree with any artist pandering to get a certain reaction or involvement from the crowd. You want folks to freak out, earn it by freaking them out with your music. I can understand their point with the phone frustration. The last time I saw The Cult, Ian put things in pretty eloquent perspective between songs. He didn't tell anyone to put their phones away, didn't come across heavy-handed, but told everyone that they were making a choice to miss the show. A very loose paraphrase - "People, you're missing the show. You're here but you're missing the show. Your eyes, your ears, they're much more complex and sophisticated than your mobiles. They process and retain so much more than a tiny screen. Don't cheat yourselves. Free yourselves. Take it all in." Right on, Ian.
Welp, that was rambling...
10 seconds later, Ben, the drummer, proposed to his girlfriend onstage and everyone was recording. WTAF? So silly. 
