Red Light

One of the most popular videos on YouTube last week was Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz versus a security guard at a concert in Albuquerque. The video showed that Wentz had been helping fans get onstage during their final song when a fight broke out. A local promoter says videos shot with cell phones will force the ban of such phones at concerts.

"There are some venues in L.A. that already [confiscate video-capable cell phones]," says the promoter. "We've reached that point [in San Diego]. It will start down here this year. Because of YouTube, kids deliberately start problems just so they can capture the footage to post it on the Web.... Everything will be forbidden except those disposable cameras."

The promoter says video documentation of a fight could legally impact a venue if a lawsuit arises from such a conflict.

"My [guards] at the front are constantly looking for people with the continuous red light. I heard there is one cell phone now that can shoot 45 minutes of video."

He says artists will likely mandate in contract riders that no video recorders be allowed in venues.

"An artist loses out on income every time there is bootlegged material out there. Plus, video footage can be doctored to try to prove something illegal was going on."

He says a ban on digital cameras would mean more security guards and long waits in and out of a venue.