Chrissie Hynde Apologizes for Front Row Concert Rules (Sort Of)

However, she did apologize for having "never adjusted to the phone / filming / picture taking culture" that is commonplace at live concerts. Though Hynde hasn't been hit with a device mid-performance that we're aware of, she expressed, "There's no way to explain how distracting it is and why I have a meltdown when I see a phone."

"I've sworn and berated the very audience that is there for us," she explained of her reaction. "Every night I come off stage scolding myself and saying it's just not worth it and maybe it's time to hang up the guitar and find another vocation. But I love the band and I love playing live for you. I just don't like being stalked.

"I see I'm not alone and some venues are now banning phones and many acts are banning them too. Dylan famously has phones sealed in a bag throughout his shows. We post signs around the venues saying please do not use your phones, but some people just cannot resist. Anyway, I do feel baffled and bad about it. I know pop acts encourage phones because they want to be on social media. But we are not a pop act. We're a rock band (in case you didn't notice)."

Hynde closed her message by thanking followers for "making it a joyful year for myself and the band ... and our lovely crew," but if you've been following the Pretenders from date to date, and have been snapping pics from the front row, check your stocking for a lump of coal later this month.