Heading to a big music festival? Better check if that selfie stick you love to use is allowed through the gates as some big name musical venues are banning the selfie-shooting tool.

Yes, the selfie stick is not welcome at Coachella or Lollapolooza this year, two of the top U.S. music festivals. The ban list by Lollapalooza states: "GoPro attachments like sticks, selfie sticks and monopods" are prohibited. For Coachella, the website states: "selfie sticks/narcissistics" are not welcome at the event.

The news comes on the heels of a similar ban at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., as Tech Times reported earlier in March. Over in Australia, the selfie stick was prohibited at the Soundwave event as organizers stated the "wands of narcissism" distracted from the event's focus.

In Britain, the O2 Academy Brixton, SSE Wembley Arena and O2 Arena in London no longer allow visitors to bring in the selfie extension pole.

"Selfies are a big part of the gig experience," a Wembley spokesperson said. "The sticks might mean you are refused entry to the venue so our advice is: don't bring them and stick with the tried and tested use of an arm."

These popular sticks are also banned from Academy Music Group venues.

"This is in keeping with our existing policy that prohibits filming and photography during a performance with iPads and other tablet devices, and includes any such obstructions for the satisfaction of other customers," said the Academy Music Group, which owns the O2 Academy Brixton venue.

Like any item banned from an event, some do get past security. There are still those attendees who will try to circumvent the rule. Unlike a tiny bottle of booze, the selfie stick may be a bit hard to sneak in, however, given selfie sticks are held up in the air. These wands work by extending a photographer's reach by several feet away. The tool can then be easily seen from a distance.

In announcing its ban, Coachella organizers said the selfie stick represents potential danger and also annoyance, especially to other attendees who just want to have a good time. The Coachella event takes place in California from April 10 to April 12. The Lollapalooza fest, which happens in Chicago, is held from July 3 to Aug. 2.

Selfie sticks, right now at least, are still allowed at some other prominent music events, including Sasquatch and Bonnaroo. Some well-known tourist landmarks are mulling a ban, according to reports, and the list includes the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre museum in Paris. The Colosseum in Rome has already instituted a ban.

Photo: Alan Paone | Flickr

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