🎤 “Phones Down, Volume Up: Why Live Music Deserves Your Full Attention”
Hey friends! This week’s episode is a special one — not only does Mark hit song #500 (🔥), but he also tackles a hot topic that’s been boiling over in the music scene: smartphones at concerts.
Before diving into the week’s fire tracks, Mark climbs up on the digital soapbox and rants — lovingly — about how phones are killing the vibe at live shows. It’s passionate, it’s hilarious, and honestly? It’s got receipts.
📵 Phones at Concerts: Disconnect to Reconnect
Mark starts the episode with a deep dive into the etiquette (or lack thereof) of using phones at concerts. His stance?
“I’m 100% okay if I never see a smartphone again at a big concert.”
From awkward shoulder taps at Dream Theater to Reddit debates and Ghost’s upcoming 2025 phone ban, the message is loud and clear: put the phone away, be present, and respect the artist and your fellow fans.
Some standout points:
- Tool & Ghost are going full old-school — no phones, no excuses. Tool even boots people mid-show.
- Smaller bands benefit from social shares, but mega acts like Taylor Swift don’t need your shaky iPhone video.
- “Concert fogginess”? Maybe just drink fewer beers. 🫣
- Your angle isn’t magical. Let the pros (and YouTube) handle the footage.
💡 Mark’s Tip: If you must record, hold your phone low, dim the brightness, and don’t block anyone’s view. Respect > content.
🌟 Standout Moment:
“I tapped a giant on the shoulder at a Dream Theater concert and feared for my life. But guess what? He put his phone away.”
Classic Gen X courage + concert karma.
🎶 This Week’s Songs That Don’t Suck:
🏍️ “Way Down On Me” – Daisy
A road-trip-ready alt-rock groove with watery-phased guitars and a laid-back glide. Reminiscent of ‘90s band Everything and perfect for cruising with the windows down.
🎷 “Another Yesterday” – Portrait of Tao
Smooth, jazzy, and bluesy indie pop from Canadian artist Fabian. Think Tori Cassice vibes. Mark calls this one a “fantastic find” — we agree.
💔 “I’ll Be Okay” – Michigander
Mark’s been flirting with Michigander for years — this track sealed the deal. Catchy pop-rock with a saxophone solo and raw emotional honesty: “I’ll be okay, but I’m not okay right now.”
🕶️ “Surrender” – Himalayas
Second appearance for these guys, and it slaps. Thick grooves, James Bond intro, and one of Mark’s favorite lyrics of the year. Hint: email him if you think you know which one.
🧠 “Emergence” – Sleep Token
Prog-metal with brains and brawn. Syncopated beats, haunting vocals, and polyrhythmic wizardry make this an intense standout. Mark: “I think I’ve checked in for Sleep Token now.”
🎉 500 Songs and Counting!
Mark closes out with gratitude — over 500 tracks shared with listeners since day one. And he’s still just getting started. Whether you’re new here or a longtime fan, head over to songsthatdontsuck.net for playlists, archives, merch, and more.
📢 Want to guess Mark’s favorite lyric from Himalayas? Email him at mark@songsthatdontsuck.net.
🔗 Links & Resources:
- 👕 Buy a T-shirt & support the pod
- 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter
- 📩 Send song recs to Mark
✨ Until next time — keep searching for (and listening to) Songs That Don’t Suck. 🎶
