Edinburgh International Festival Goes Phone-Free Under Benedetti

Since 2023, Nicola Benedetti has served as the director of the Edinburgh International Festival, where she has introduced a "lights down, phones off" initiative, creating a phone-free atmosphere. The acclaimed violinist shared that this decision was influenced by both artists and audiences seeking to preserve the unique experience of live performances. Last year, mobile phone disruptions plagued every concert in the Queen's Hall chamber series, impacting numerous broadcasts. The festival highlighted notable instances of phone use, with bans from artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Bob Dylan, Jack White, and Ghost, alongside grievances from actresses Rosamund Pike, Jessie Buckley, and Lesley Manville. Nonetheless, attendees may photograph during curtain calls and use their phones before and after concerts. Drop-in outdoor shows and dementia-friendly events are exceptions, and staff will help attendees silence their devices. Benedetti expressed optimism about reinstating a phone-free festival, referencing Alfred Brendel on the significance of audience focus and silence.