NIKKI SIXX has offered a candid perspective on fan-recorded concert footage and how it affects the way live performances are judged today. Speaking in an interview featured on KPTV Fox 12, the MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist discussed the ongoing shift in how audiences consume live music — not only in the arena but also through the lens of smartphones.

In an era dominated by streaming platforms, social media clips, and endless online content, artists face a new challenge: fans around the world judge performances not through firsthand experience but through shaky, low-quality phone recordings captured from random angles. According to Sixx, these videos often fail to reflect the true energy, sound, and emotion of the band’s shows.

Yet despite the frustrations, Sixx shared that he and many other artists have learned to accept this new reality. Instead of fighting fan filming, they’ve adjusted to the cultural shift — even if it sometimes misrepresents what actually happens onstage.

“We’ve all gotten over that.” — NIKKI SIXX on fans filming concerts

Sixx began by acknowledging that his views on fan filming have changed over the years. When smartphones first took over concert venues, artists felt conflicted. Many believed that constant recording prevented fans from living in the moment, enjoying the music, and connecting with the performance.

He explained:

“I see these videos from, you know, and it’s fine. It’s like fans with their phones and they’re filming the show and that’s, you know, I think all of us like had a bad reaction to that. Like so many artists were like, ‘What’s happening? You’re not like living in the moment of this guitar solo or whatever.’ Well, I think we’ve all gotten over that.”

Sixx’s comment reflects a major cultural transition. Fans, especially younger audiences, have integrated filming into the live music experience. It has evolved from a distraction into a way of documenting memories, sharing them publicly, and celebrating their favorite artists online.

Still, Sixx made it clear that acceptance doesn’t mean endorsement. While he no longer objects to fans using their phones, he highlighted an issue that artists cannot ignore: poor-quality fan videos often become the basis for harsh criticism.

The problem isn’t filming — it’s how performances are judged through phones

Although Sixx accepts that filming is here to stay, he raised concerns about how these clips shape public perception of MÖTLEY CRÜE. A concert is designed to be experienced through professional sound systems, lighting, staging, and physical presence — elements that simply cannot be captured on a phone microphone or from a seat buried deep in the venue.

He explained the problem clearly:

“When I see it, like people are judging you on a phone, like you don’t know where they’re at. They could be underneath you filming and they can’t really hear it and it doesn’t really look good. And that’s how we’re being represented these days.”

Sixx pointed out that the angle and quality of the phone matter. A video recorded from the far back of an arena or from directly under the stage — where the audio booms, distorts, or gets muffled — can create the false impression that the band is performing poorly.

This distorted snapshot then circulates online, sometimes reaching millions of viewers who weren’t present at the actual show but feel confident judging the entire performance based on a 10-second clip.

A live concert can’t be compared to a mobile recording

Sixx stressed that a mobile screen can never capture the “depth and feeling” of a real MÖTLEY CRÜE show. The band is known for its elaborate production, powerful stage presence, and atmosphere that fills arenas with adrenaline and emotion.

He continued:

“Not like when you go live, you’re like, ‘Oh my God, look at the depth and the feeling of that.’ But that’s just that’s just part of the part of the way it is now.”

This contrast highlights a growing gap in how fans experience concerts:

• Those in the arena feel the full impact — the bass, the fireworks, the visuals, the collective energy of thousands of people.
• Those online see a shaky video with distorted sound, missing the atmosphere entirely.

Sixx’s frustration does not stem from fans themselves, but from the disconnect between reality and representation. Artists spend months designing tours that deliver intense visuals and soundscapes, only for the world to often judge them through low-resolution clips that eliminate 80% of the experience.

Competition with streaming platforms adds another challenge

Beyond the issue of misrepresentation, Sixx pointed out that live bands now compete with digital entertainment more than ever. Concertgoers have endless options at home: streaming services, gaming, social media, and virtual events.

For artists to stand out, they have to deliver unforgettable performances — ones that justify leaving home and buying a ticket. Because of this, Sixx emphasized that MÖTLEY CRÜE takes live shows extremely seriously.

However, when fan videos flatten that experience into something visually unflattering or sonically distorted, they undermine the hard work that goes into creating a high-impact concert.

Sixx’s concern is not that fans record — but that these clips become unfair representations of the band’s effort and artistry.

A new reality for live music — and a new mindset for artists

Sixx ended his comments by acknowledging that this is simply part of the modern concert landscape. Artists must accept that every performance will be recorded, posted, dissected, and sometimes misinterpreted. But they can only control what happens onstage — not online.

His remarks show a balance of acceptance and frustration. While the band embraces its fans’ enthusiasm, they also recognize the complex effect that smartphone culture has on live music as a whole.

In many ways, Sixx’s perspective mirrors how countless artists feel today: grateful for fan engagement but wary of how digital snippets reshape public opinion.

Still, despite these challenges, MÖTLEY CRÜE continues pushing forward — delivering loud, high-energy shows that fans can feel in their chest, not just watch on their screen.