Attitude is Everything’s campaign to improve access to live music for Deaf and disabled fans
17 July 2014 - Press releaseSTEVIE WONDER, CHVRCHES and BELLE AND SEBASTIAN add their backing to #MusicWithoutBarriers
Attitude is Everything’s campaign to improve access to live music for Deaf and disabled fans
• Stevie Wonder: “A little thought and a bit more compassion could transform the lives of many. This should be a commitment made by everybody”
• The #MusicWithoutBarriers campaign encourages UK venues and festivals to give Deaf and disabled fans equal access to live music and sign up to Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice
• Thousands of artists and fans have pledged their support by using the #MusicWithoutBarriers hashtag or registering at www.musicwithoutbarriers.org
• New figures from this weekend’s Latitude Festival highlight the financial benefits of improved access. Annual disabled ticket sales increase by 36% after being awarded the Charter’s Silver level
STEVIE WONDER, CHVRCHES and BELLE AND SEBASTIAN are the latest major artists to give their backing to #MusicWithoutBarriers - the recently-launched Attitude is Everything campaign that is that is highlighting music industry support for millions of Deaf and disabled fans to gain equal access to live music, by encouraging UK festivals and venues to sign the charity’s Charter of Best Practice.
The online initiative has already won support from a wide range of musicians (including Alt-J, The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Villagers, Mystery Jets, The Temper Trap, Robert Wyatt and Anna Calvi), as well as the Featured Artist Coalition, the Music Managers Forum, the Musicians’ Union, and more than 90 UK festivals and venues who have already signed the Charter.
Thousands of fans from around the world have also pledged their support at www.musicwithoutbarriers.org and on social media, highlighting the campaign’s four key messages:
• Improving access does not have to be costly
• There is a strong business case for improving access
• It is crucial to have access information in advance of an event
• Not all disabled people are wheelchair users
Today they were joined by Stevie Wonder, Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches and Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian in supporting the campaign.
Stevie Wonder, who gave an impassioned speech in support of disabled access during his headline Glastonbury performance in 2010, said:
"I strongly support the campaign by Attitude is Everything to gain full accessibility for people with all kinds of disability to festivals, shows and all areas of entertainment. It is incredible to me that in this day and age such a campaign should still be needed.
“There are many people out there for whom, what should be a time of enjoyment turns into a nightmare because of a lack of information and facilities being made available by those who are in charge of putting on events. A little thought and a bit more compassion could transform the lives of many. This should be a commitment made by everybody, from private citizen at street level to government level.”
Lauren Mayberry said:
"I support the #MusicWithoutBarriers campaign because live music should be for everyone - and, sadly, at the moment, it often is not. It is up to performers, venues, festivals and anyone else involved in the music industry to support organisations like Attitude Is Everything, ensuring that we operate in an inclusive way to improve access and facilitate further discussion.”
Stuart Murdoch added:
“When I was a roadie (in the 80’s!) the people in wheelchairs used to be up on stage with us. Side stage, to be precise. You couldn’t see much and the sound was terrible, but it was the best we could do. As far as other disabilities went, there was no provision, no awareness. Things have come a long way since then. You had to be hardcore to have a disability and go and see a gig back then. It shouldn't be that hard.
“Rock ‘n’ roll is THE inclusive art form. It’s a broad church and the door should be wide open to everyone. We sing about all kinds of people: we should be seen by all kinds of people! And on an equal footing.
“Popular bands are powerful entities. They can choose the festivals and venues they want to play, thus ensuring the good places thrive. I would encourage bands to play in the kind of places where EVERYONE is going to have a great time. So, bug you’re favourite bands, make them think about their choice of venue! Register your support for the campaign at www.musicwithoutbarriers.org.”
Highlighting the positive impact that improved access can have on live music events, Attitude is Everything can also reveal that disabled ticket sales for Latitude Festival have increased year-on-year by 36%. Including friends, family and personal assistants more than 500 fans are expected to stay at Latitude’s accessible campsite this weekend.
The event, which was awarded the Charter’s Silver level in May 2014, recognising organiser Festival Republic’s ongoing commitment to access and inclusion, has established a loyal Deaf and disabled customer base - with sales of access tickets having more than tripled since 2009.
Suzanne Bull MBE, CEO of Attitude is Everything said:
“We have been thrilled with the positive response to #MusicWithoutBarriers, and especially the passionate backing of so many artists. Our real hope is that this translates into more festivals and venues signing up to the Charter, and understanding that the benefits of improving access far outweigh the perceived costs.”
“The sales figures from this weekend’s Latitude Festival highlight this perfectly, and are testament to the forward-thinking approach of Festival Republic. However, access is not only relevant to the biggest outdoor events - even the smallest venues and festivals can make inexpensive changes so that millions of disabled music fans in this country can be part of the live music experience.”
Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, organisers of Latitude, Reading and Leeds festivals added:
"Our commitment to improving the accessibility of our festivals is integral to our ability to create great festival experiences for all of our customers. By investing in the facilities and working in partnership with Attitude is Everything, we have been able to grow our disabled audience and are now reaping the rewards."
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