"Does that mean paper tickets?" — Internet divided over Bob Dylan banning phones from his UK tour

83-year-old singer Bob Dylan announced that he would hold two shows in Edinburg, where cell phones would not be allowed. The show is scheduled for November 5 and November 6 at Usher Hall.

Reportedly the cell phones would be put in a pouch that would automatically close upon entering the venue, and open on exiting. In a statement issued by representatives of Dylan, they have mentioned:

"We believe it creates better times for everyone in attendance. Our eyes open a little more and our senses are slightly sharper when we lose the technological crutch we've grown accustomed to. And yes, it's a non-negotiable deal."

However, it has been mentioned that medical emergencies can be exempted, and concertgoers can go to designated areas where authorities will provide assistance in opening the pouch. The pointers are also mentioned in the terms and conditions, which the individual can read while booking tickets.

Fans took to social media platforms to react to the decision of Dylan. One fan took up the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and said:

"Does that mean paper tickets?," one person said.

Many fans supported the decision and commended the singer.

"Fantastic! about time gigs were like this, actually listen and engage with the artist you’ve paid so much money to watch….not through your phone screen. Well done Bob," one person wrote.

"Good for him... Nothing worse than being at a gig with your view ruined by a forest of arms each holding a mobile to film the artist...." another person wrote.

While many people agreed to not use phones during the concert, another group expressed a different perspective.

"What are the audience supposed to do during Dylan’s performance? Take a book? Are Sony Walkman’s allowed?" another person said.

"His voice is gone, no real point paying a fortune for an artist who is a shadow of his former self," one netizen added.

"Worst concert I've ever been to," another person said.

Apart from Edinburg, Bob Dylan would also play in London, Nottingham, and Wolverhampton. The UK tour of Dylan that happened in 2022, also had the same rule where phones were not allowed in the venue.

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Bob Dylan's upcoming Rough and Rowdy Ways tour is to promote his thirty-ninth studio album

Bob Dylan released his thirty-ninth studio album Rough and Rowdy Ways, back in June 2020. It had been considered as the first album after his 2012 Tempest, in which Dylan had used classic pop music. The album had several songs including Murder Most Foul, False Prophet, and I Contain Multitudes, to name a few.

Murder Most Foul debuted at rank 5 on the US Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. It further topped the US Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales. The overall album also made it to several charts.

It secured second rank on the US Billboard 200. The album topped several charts including Portuguese Albums, Norwegian Albums, Scottish Albums, UK Albums, and Dutch Albums, to name a few.

The tour to promote this album began in 2021 with its first show in Milwaukee. The first North American leg of the tour included Bob Dylan's show in several cities including Louisville, Knoxville, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Port Chester.

The second and third parts of the North American leg took place in 2022. The North European leg of the tour also happened in the same year. Bob Dylan had covered several cities all over the world, including Asian cities as well. The rest part of his European tour has been scheduled for October this year.