With Kate Bush’s historic return to the concert stage now just a week away, the stage-shy singer this morning asked fans not to film or photograph her upcoming 22-date run of London performances, writing on her website, “I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras.”
She adds: “I know it’s a lot to ask but it would allow us to all share in the experience together.”
The live dates, Bush’s first in 35 years, begin next Tuesday and run through Oct. 1.
Bush famously stopped touring after a sole outing in 1979, a decision some believe was due to everything from a fear of flying to an overly controlling nature to the death of her lighting director during that 1979 tour. Since then, she has performed sporadically at a handful of charity events, and has turned up for duets at concerts with Peter Gabriel and David Gilmour.
Kate Bush’s message to fans:
Hallo,
Many thanks to everyone who sent such lovely wishes for my birthday. I had a wonderful day.
We’re all very excited about the upcoming shows and are working very hard in preparation. It’s going very well indeed.
I have a request for all of you who are coming to the shows:
We have purposefully chosen an intimate theatre setting rather than a large venue or stadium. It would mean a great deal to me if you would please refrain from taking photos or filming during the shows. I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iphones, ipads or cameras. I know it’s a lot to ask but it would allow us to all share in the experience together.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Respectfully yours,
Kate.
Kate Bush’s ‘Before the Dawn’ tour dates:
Aug. 26: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Aug. 27: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Aug. 29: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Aug. 30: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 2: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 3: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 5: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 6: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 9: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 10: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 12: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 13: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 16: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 17: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 19: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 20: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 23: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 24: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 26: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 27: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Sept. 30: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
Oct. 1: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK
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If I only could, make a deal with the crowd,
And get them to swap us places.
Be putting up that phone, I don’t want to be filmed.
I’ll have you thrown out the buil-ding.
Good for you, Kate!! I think it is so disrepectful when people use the technology while the artist is performing…
Now – let’s see who tries to buck her – you know some asshole will try it.
I totally respect what she is saying. BUT, then I DO hope she has her OWN film crew there documenting this somehow….maybe for a possible DVD? She needs to understand that she has fans all over the world, not just in London where she is playing these shows. WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO CANT AFFORD TO FLY TO LONDON, etc??????? Not fair at all….
I’m sorry Kate, but if I was going to fly across the pond to see you I’m going to at least take one pic.
No disrespect, but I do hope some fans manage to sneak some video because it’s the only way I, and I’m sure countless others, will be able to see any of it.
Well I’m with her on this one. I understand people’s need to film or take photographs at a show but when you essentially have 3000 reverse flashlights held in the air for an entire show it ruins it, period. I have stopped going to large venue shows because of this. The smaller venues have begun clamping down on this. I don’t condemn the individual behavior and have no moral problem with it, however, its just one of those things that becomes a problem when everyone wants to.
It’s in a seated Theartre.
People need to be respectful to the people sitting behind them.
Kate is right of course.
Watch and enjoy the show with your own EYES!
Trust me, this show will be professionally filmed for a DVD release.
Good for her, with a residency this long look for this to be filmed and recorded for sure, and the last thing a camera crew & director need is to get pans of an audience holding up electronics. Not to mention when a broadcast or release comes out later and you’re watching it with friends/family/etc. and a close-up comes of you as an attendee holding up devices or messing with your phone I’d think that would be embarrasing as your 2.5 seconds of fame.
I think that if she really does intend on having this professionally filmed for a DVD release—she should announce that! I think that would go a LONG way in reaching those who are attending. If they know this going in, they’d be more likely to respect her wishes knowing they can buy a copy later and not need to sneak video/photos now. Just sayin’
I fear this request will not end well!