Edinburgh International Festival will be phone-free - Benedetti

Edinburgh International Festival will be phone-free - BenedettiImage source, EIFImage caption, Nicola Benedetti says the policy came at the request of artists and audiencesByPauline McLeanScotland arts correspondentPublished23 June 2026108 CommentsNicola Benedetti has declared her latest festival a "phone free" environment.The Grammy-winning violinist, who has been director of the Edinburgh International Festival since 2023, says the "lights down, phones off" policy has come at the request of artists and audiences."Live performance is unlike anything else and the Edinburgh International Festival is here to protect the rarity of this experience," she says."The power of our programme is intensified by the tangible, collective presence of everyone in the room, and we want you to be with us fully. ""When the lights go down and the performance starts, we would like phones to disappear from our hands, minds and ears."More stories from Edinburgh, Fife & EastMore stories from ScotlandThe festival says that every single concert in their Queen's Hall chamber series was disrupted last year by mobile phones. Many of them were broadcast. Frustrating not just those in the room, but those listening at home too.They also say they've taken notice of a number of high-profile cases involving phone use.Image source, EIFImage caption, Every concert in the Queen's Hall chamber series was disrupted by phones last yearCalifornian singer Phoebe Bridgers recently announced a complete ban on phones at her gigs, with fans having to place them in special pouches during her shows. Bob Dylan, Jack White and Swedish rock band Ghost have all insisted on similar no-phone policies at their gigs.Actresses Rosamund Pike and Jessie Buckley have spoken out about audience members was texting during their theatre performances.Another actress, Lesley Manville, also complained after someone filmed the actors while they were taking their bow...