‘You wouldn’t steal a gig.’ WARGASM enter the rebellion. Are we heading for a phone free future?

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Category: news
Updated: 01st October 2025
Written by Bryony Mezzatesta
‘You wouldn’t steal a gig.’ WARGASM enter the rebellion. Are we heading for a phone free future?

Outernet, London. And, Wargasm tell everyone to put their smartphones away. Returning from a summer-long US tour, the electronic punk duo launch straight into their only UK headline show of 2025 with an agenda. They join the ranks by way of a poignant act of revolt, fostering the here-and-now culture, one with real-life connection and unhinged chaos at its heart.

As a musical project brought to life by punk poster boy Sam Matlock and the enigmatic Milkie Way back in 2018, Wargasm have continued to play with fire over the years. Collaborating with some of nu-metal’s finest, blurring genres, and bending rules, they don’t just make music; they offer an experience. So it came as no surprise when they announced that they were putting on a phone-free show.

Fresh from their merch pop-up at Denmark Street’s brand new B.R.A.T store (musical prodigy YUNGBLUD’s latest creation) earlier that day, Wargasm fans dove headfirst into their inaugural Insta-story fodder-free gig. Support sets from Tropic Gold and Filthy Pig opened the night, followed by our headline act, storming their way into a familiar chaos. Crowd surfing from the outset, it was clear fans had decided to embrace their newfound freedom, our photographer remarking on the sheer frequency of stomping boots hurtling towards her head in the pit as she attempted to work amidst the blitheness. I think the concept worked.

Venue choice for such a bold statement was second to none. A forward-thinking event space with cutting-edge audio and visual technology at its core, Outernet delivers a glimpse into the future of live music in the right way. There are two ways to think about a total phone ban in performance spaces- taking things back to the questionable ‘good old days’, removing what we’ve come to know and love, or embracing a new way- allowing humans to be humans again with tech on side.

Independent venue Doppler, a core player in Leicester’s grassroots music scene, has also just announced a bold decision to implement a blanket phone-free policy. Their vision is a community where real moments matter. The new ruling encourages people to fully immerse themselves in the music and the energy of the night, connecting audience and artist with absolute presence. The venue explains, “This move echoes a growing shift across the UK and Europe, where nightlife spaces are reclaiming the dancefloor as a sacred, screen-free environment. For Doppler, which exists to amplify underground culture and support emerging DJs and promoters, the decision is about more than just nightlife- it’s about wellbeing, creativity, and community.”

We asked founder Nico what sparked the decision to make such a bold move to implement a policy like this -

“I’m seeing more and more of the hype around big production dance music events being branded as ‘raves,’ but when you look out and it’s just a sea of phones in the air, it doesn’t feel like a rave to me. A true rave has always been about connection, being fully present with the music, the people around you, and the shared energy in the room. When everyone’s focused on capturing content, there’s a disconnect from that moment. For me, going phone-free is about reclaiming that essence of rave culture: the freedom, the intimacy, and the positive takeaways that only come when people are really there with each other, not through a screen.”


A lone rider in the centre of a truly spectacular circle pit (there’s always one) reminded us on Sunday night that some have always understood. That guy has always been phone-free. Embraced the riot of the thing. Lived, without trepidation, quite perfectly in the moment. And Wargasm got the brief. Take the option away, and those on the periphery jump the circle too. We aren’t all guilty, but we hope thousands more join the cause during the (hopefully) long-lived future live music culture has in front of it. Don't be a dick, put your phone away.

Photo Credit Mandy Morello