Music is accessible on so many virtual platforms. From Spotify to iTunes, music can be accessed by almost anyone, anywhere. But what about live music? For many, going to see their favourite band is an amazing experience. But for those who depend on mobility aids, seeing their favourite band or group can be a daunting experience, especially if they’re not sure whether the venue they’re visiting is accessible to them in the first place.
Below are some of the most popular music venues in the UK, and how accessible they are for those with mobility aids.
Music Venues - Arenas
Below are some of the most popular music venues in the UK and their accessibility for disabled and deaf visitors.
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
As the biggest event space in the city, the M&S Bank Arena is home to second to none accessible features, including:
MEN Arena, Manchester
In Manchester, the MEN arena is the event space you’ll most likely see the bigger names and stars play. If you require a hearing loop, sign language interpretation or captioning, you can speak to a member of their specialist team via email on enquiries@manchester-arena.com.
If you have a guide or service dog, these are also welcomed into the arena, however, you will need to tell staff before the event that you intend on bringing your dog into the arena. All accessible seating is located on the lower tier near the side of the stage at the MEN.
Arena Birmingham, Birmingham
The Arena in Birmingham is home to a range of different music gigs, sports entertainment and more. When it comes to accessibility within The Arena, they have teamed up with AccessAble to bring you a detailed guide to their facilities and access points.
First Direct Arena, Leeds
The First Direct Arena in the Leeds was one of the first areas to be made fully accessible and features disabled parking, facilities for assistance dogs, disabled seating and wider corridors for wheelchairs users who visit their venue.
They even have a handy pdf guide, which you can download here, informing you of all the accessibility available in the First Direct Arena.
The 02 Arena, London
One of the most iconic music venues in the UK, the O2 Arena, formally the Millennium Dome, is a multi-purpose venue in central London. Originally made as an intensive art exhibition, the arena is the second highest seating capacity venue in the UK and is fully accessible. To help those with accessibility needs, the arena has also created an accessibility kit to help their customers receive additional assistance when they need it the most. The kit includes hearing aid batteries, a dog bowl for service dogs, and other helpful items. Kits are given to customers when they arrive at the arena.
Wembley Arena, London (Wembley)
At Wembley Arena, every set of turnstiles has an accessible entrance and assistance dogs are welcome to the building and have their very own dog relieving stations. In the venue itself, there are over 100 chairs designated to disabled visitors, all of which have been made to comply to the “Guide to Safety at Sports” Guide.
Festivals - UK Accessibility
When it comes to festivals, many have evolved over the years to bring accessibility to the forefront of their event. For most festivals, their website will have a section on their accessibility. However, below is an outline of the most popular festivals in the UK and how they accommodate disabled and deaf visitors.
Reading & Leeds Festival
Both Reading & Leeds festival works closely with the charity Attitude is Everything to ring disabled and deaf visitors greater access to their favourite music. Once you have bought a festival ticket you can apply for the accessibility scheme through the Reading and Leeds websites. The scheme gives you access to a viewing platform, disabled parking, accessible toilets and accessible camping.
Glastonbury
As one of the most popular festivals in the UK, Glastonbury’s accessibility sees disabled and deaf customers receive 2-4-1 tickets to the festival, access to the accessible campsite, wheelchair accessible toilets, showers and charging points, and other benefits such as fridges for medication and 24/7 stewards. To talk to someone about the scheme, email the accessibility team on accessibility@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.
Lovebox Festival
Lovebox, hosted in central London, is a two-day festival featuring a host of artists and popular bands. Caregivers can receive free tickets when visiting with eligible guests with a valid ticket.
Latitude Festival
Hosted in Henham Park, Latitude is home to Disabled Access Caravans, Campsites. Disabled visitors are allowed to bring one carer and two friends into the campsite with them, which are fixed with accessible showers, toilets and medication fridges.
