02/21/2025

Lane 8 Sounds Off On Importance of His No Phones Shows

Lane 8 is gearing up for his Childish tour, where fans can expect a unique experience emphasizing connection over distractions. The Deep House legend is popular for his “no phones” shows and has promoted this format since 2016. His message to fans is clear: let go of phones and embrace the energy of the crowd, making the live show experience more meaningful. Recently, He took to social media to deliver a long and impactful message describing his why with honesty and his own story.

“i’ve been thinking about how lucky i was to fall in love with electronic music in the 2000s right before smartphones really took over the world. i was in college in los angeles and i had a group of friends i went to shows with and the feeling of being in a club, surrounded by friends and strangers, all dancing and celebrating to the same music, was so profound and incredible that it made me stop and say “this is what i want to do with my life”.”

Lane 8’s concept behind ‘no phones’ shows

In the message, Lane 8 reflects on his journey into dance music, mentioning that the early 2000s was a time when fans could truly experience music without the distractions of smartphones. For him, his ‘This Never Happened’ (TNH)(no phones) concept is about recreating that atmosphere where fans connect face to face, creating an unforgettable collective experience. His shows are designed for fans to engage with the music and each other, removing the pressure of filming moments for social media. He says directly that he too struggles with wanting to take his phone out instead of living in the moment.

“he reality is that I grapple with being on the phone too often just as much as the next person. I have had periods even recently where I used my phone way more than I would have liked to and then felt really guilty and gross about it afterwards.”

Smartphones have significantly impacted social interactions since their creation. This is leading to increased feelings of isolation and reduced face-to-face communication. A 2017 study found that young adults aged 19 to 32 with higher social media usage are more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated compared to those who use social media less. Additionally, a 2022 study reported that 37.7% of respondents felt strongly lonely having increased screen time being a contributing factor. Furthermore, research indicates that the presence of smartphones during social interactions can negatively affect the quality of conversations. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that the mere presence of a phone can impact the quality of human interactions. Altogether, there is data that supports Lane 8’s claims about using your smartphone at a social interaction like a concert.

Lane 8 Childish Tour

As Lane 8 prepares for his tour, he looks forward to sharing his latest album, Childish, which embraces uninhibited self-expression. This album is a reflection of his vision to bring back the freedom of dancing without concerns for tech distractions. The Childish tour is not just about the music but about creating a space where fans can reconnect with each other in a deeply human way. Lane 8 continues to innovate in the electronic music scene, and his ‘no phones’ philosophy is helping his fans rediscover the joy of being present at live shows. You can find ticket links here.