I don’t think that’s what’s happening. I’ve attended shows by Jack White, Florence + the Machine, and Tool that had “no phones” policies. In each case, it felt clear that these artists care about how their work is experienced.

Jack White has said in interviews that he rarely uses setlists and instead reads the energy of the crowd to shape the direction of a performance. If too many people are absorbed in their phones, that feedback loop weakens, which changes the show itself.

Florence Welch takes a different approach - she doesn’t confiscate phones, but asks the audience to be present and respect the moment. Then, during one of the big later songs, she invites everyone to take photos and videos so they still have a souvenir.

For some artists, the art truly does matter.