Bryce Dessner, guitarist for the US band The National, discusses why he views turning off phones during live performances as a political act. Speaking ahead of a run of orchestra concerts, he links attention and presence in the concert hall to the broader meaning of participation in public life.
Across the outlets, the focus remains on Dessner’s perspective on live music and the impact of constant connectivity. Each article frames his comments as part of a wider argument that how audiences behave—particularly with devices—shapes the experience for everyone in the room.
While the articles share the same core message and setting, they approach it through the lens of different publication styles rather than different facts. The emphasis is consistently on his preparation for orchestral performances and on his claim that silencing phones represents a choice about social norms and engagement during events.
