Dave Chappelle’s strict rule for his live shows

If you’re going to a Dave Chappelle live show, you better be prepared to give up something important, as Sydney fans discovered.

Dave Chappelle is currently touring Australia. Picture: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Netflix

Dave Chappelle made fans lock away their devices at his Sydney show last night.

Ticketholders were warned they would not have use of their electronic devices during his comedy set.

“This event will be a phone-free experience,” the instructions said. “Use of phones, smart watches and accessories will not be permitted in the performance space.

“Infrared cameras will be used to identify any attempt of recording the show. Anyone seen using a device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue by security.”

Patrons’ devices are locked away in magnetically sealed pouches which are opened at the end of the show. The phones are then “cloaked” and inaccessible while at the venue.

Chappelle has been mandating a no-devices policy for many years. He told explained in 2017 his reasoning during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel.

“It became a thing where I’d walk on stage, I’d see a sea of cellphones. So I knew that anything in the room, I was saying to everybody, whether they were in the room or not – which is not an empowering feeling as a comedian.”

Chappelle’s shows are also regularly recorded for Netflix specials, which is made available to subscribers “not in the room”.

Chappelle has a no-devices policy at his comedy shows. Picture: Stacy Revere/Getty/AFP

Other comedians who have required phone cloaking during their shows include Chris Rock, Hannah Gadsby, Amy Schumer and Hannibal Buress.

Comedians aren’t the only ones taking advantage of cloaking pouches. Celebrities including Serena Williams and Brooklyn Beckham have required guests at their wedding to lock away their devices.

Meanwhile, some restaurants have also mandated a no-phone policy, such as Bistecca in Sydney, which “confiscates” diners’ phones at check-in.

Chappelle’s first Sydney show – he has another one on Sunday – appeared to have been relatively drama-free following a brawl at his Perth performance.

According to reports, a group of attendees started brawling when Chappelle launched into a section detailing his experience being tackled by an audience member in 2022. There was no footage of the brawl because of the phone ban.

A guest later tweeted that Chappelle managed to quickly refocus the audience’s attention back to the show.

Chappelle’s Australian tour follows a dramatic 18 months after the controversial comedian was accused of making transphobic comments in his Netflix special, The Closer.

Chappelle was embroiled in a public war of words with Netflix workers who were offended by their employer’s choice to platform Chappelle’s views. Chappelle has publicly supported embattled writer J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans stance.