July 24, 2012 - submitted by Haya, Canada

Q. Dear Oracle,

Tonight I attended the show in Toronto, which was ECSTATIC; the lights, the confetti, balloons, it was all truly amazing.

Anyways, I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3 and upon arriving, security told me that I would have to check in my camera because we weren't allowed to have professional cameras inside the stadium. When I went to check it in, I asked them why that was, and they told me that it was Coldplay's request to not have any audience members with professional cameras.

Is this true? And if so, why? Has that always been the case, and why just professional cameras? I went to their concert in 2009 as well and I don't remember them saying no professional cameras allowed.

Thanks!
curious Haya

The Oracle replies:

The ACC were saying no cameras at all by request of the tour. This wasn't accurate so we let them know. They tweeted the correct info as did we (on 20th July):
"Re a few folks asking - you're welcome to bring your camera to a Coldplay show (as long as it's not a professional / removable lens one). A"

This is standard for ALL shows by ALL artists.
Coldplay obviously actively encourage fans to take photos and upload them to our site but the security were right to check yours in as it's always been small cameras only.
The message they relayed to you wasn't quite right so hopefully I've explained.
I'm old enough to remember the days when phones weren't cameras and it was a strict NO camera policy right across the board.