By Beatriz Whitford-Rodríguez, Arts & Entertainment Editor

The past few years have brought a whirlwind of discourse about the omnipresence of cell phones in day-to-day life. From the recently-passed Illinois statewide phone ban to proposed national laws banning minors from social media altogether, it seems the tide of public opinion is turning against them. That was exemplified during Phoebe Bridgers’ two nights of concerts at the United Center last month, which required all attendees to store their phones at the doors in Yondr pouches.

Yondr is an American company founded by former soccer player Graham Dugoni. He was inspired to reduce the effects phones have on society after watching an intoxicated concertgoer being filmed against their will by other attendees. Yondr pouches have been used by dozens of musicians, including Bridgers, Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan; some comedians have also used them and they have been implemented in school districts across the country.

So how does a phone-free concert work? I attended the show on Friday, Sept. 18, with my sister, and upon entering the United Center our phones were placed in Yondr pouches by security staff. We kept the pouches on our person throughout the show; clip-on lanyards were available upon request. Each floor of the United Center, as well as its main lobby, had a designated area where attendees’ phones could be unlocked. Before returning to the show, attendees were screened again by security to make sure they had no new technology on their person.

The concerts on Sept. 18 and 19 were among the first shows of the Lost Tour, which began in Indianapolis on Sept. 14 and promotes Bridgers’ third album, “Lost Weekend.” The album, which blends her signature relaxed folk sound with a new pop-rock edge, is her first solo album in six years; Bridgers has been on hiatus since the 2024 Grammy Awards, where her band Boygenius won three awards. Perhaps in part because of the multi-year break, many Bridgers fans were skeptical of the Yondr pouch policy at first. I, however, was unable to decide if the idea had merit.

Leading up to the concert, I had several concerns: Would I be able to get in touch with my parents after the show? How would I remember the experience without pictures and videos? What if there was an emergency at the United Center? By and large, my worries were unfounded. In a large indoor venue like the United Center, staff were able to direct everyone to an exit within five or ten minutes; directly outside, our pouches were unlocked. It all felt easy.

But despite my positive experience, I do have one remaining concern with the Yondr pouch: safety. Staff members were constantly circulating throughout the crowd; however, in an emergency situation, would they be able to unlock our phones quickly? How would concertgoers communicate with the outside world?

As for my other concerns, the Lost Tour is memorable enough on its own that, I can assure you, nobody needs videos. This was my first time seeing Bridgers on tour, but if she tours in the future, I will absolutely be there. To respect the spirit of the phoneless concert, I will not give away too much; still, it is safe to say that every minute of the show was painstakingly thought out and visually stunning.

Ultimately, there are strong arguments both for and against Yondr pouches. Although I still have concerns, my verdict is that they enhanced the concert experience. I’m in.