Mark

At least if I stayed at home all the time, Hayley & the cats would treat me with respect!

I could go on . . . .

And that is why I mystery shop, but can I really continue to put myself through this night after night

I’m honestly considering giving up my passion for live music & improving access to avoid being treated like I shouldn’t be allowed to leave the house.

use accessible toilets where the door doesn’t shut as they are too small for my wheelchair, being told I should be happy only being able to see the lead singer & 20% of the stage, being called wheelchair on radios & to my face, being ignored at the bar even when there’s no one else waiting,

lift to be greeted by a set of heavy doors, told something’s done a certain way as it’s easier for the staff, absolute distaste for having to do more than stand & guard a door, have other guests constantly complaining they can’t see because of where the venue have positioned me,

I love going to gigs in my wheelchair

aka

Volunteering to be treated with so much disrespect, be spoken to like I’m stupid, expected to accept a far inferior experience, be pushed & shoved, have staff constantly talking next to me, ask a question & be sent towards a set of stairs, be sent up in a

You’ll need to do what my wife does to me. Doesn’t (insert friends name) really like Paddington why don’t you see if they’re free?

She’ll attend most things, but some are a definite ‘No’

Took her to see Smile & that is a definite ‘Never Again’

😂🤣😂

You’ll be looking forward to this touring then!

I took a photo later on, because I doubt you specifically said she should block our view, her arrogance was disgusting & she personally could have chosen to not disrespect us.

Greentea Peng

I politely asked a photographer tonight who had given her permission to block the view of your disabled fans for a few minutes.

Her response Yes, I work for the artist, so I can do what I like

Is that really your stance on how to treat your disabled fans?

I don’t know if they’ve stuck to them as I’ve not been back.

I struggle to find things I want to see at some venues. I like to shop gigs of artists I know, but found a couple of decent bands by taking that chance on someone

Enjoy the gigs & keep smiling!

Do I entirely agree with it . . .

In what I do I have to see a venue’s point on it & concede to it.

Just like when a venue says doors are at 6:30, but everyone is complaining they can’t get in at 6? They haven’t been told to arrive early.

So I stick up for the venue, as it’s the truth

Disrespectful staff, I won’t tolerate in any shape or form though.

At Band On The Wall an access guest can have the perfect view/experience

Which is the whole reason for accessibility

Whereas the companion is there (for free) to support that person, not have a perfect view, etc.

I totally agree. But it shouldn’t have to be that way.

That’s why it’s now my new purpose in life!

I’ve never been one to sing my own praises, but I’m genuinely making long term changes at so many venues.

It’s remembering nowhere is perfect & everywhere has an off night too though

When was this? They were trialing something new.

There’s been a huge management issue there that hasn’t helped.

I’m there in a few weeks, so we’ll see.

I’ve become a bit too well known in Manchester. So a lot of venues I might only visit once a year

Expanded to Leeds, Liverpool & Sheffield!

Have a look on their website. There are photos of our very own platform! I have a great relationship with the access team there, so they sent me over the draft of what they were going to include. I asked permission to tear it apart & they took all my feedback onboard!

That would be great. It all helps. Thanks.

Springsteen has hired the whole Arena for a week. There has to be a large security team there all the time to protect the stage 😂

Co-Op Live is my big challenge for 2025!

It has been a very long 11 months & 13 visits to build the evidence & find the right person who will listen.

And they are doing, they've already made a huge change I've wanted for so long.

And I'm meeting them next month when they get my report!

I won't pass comment then 😂

To be fair NCH are receptive to feedback & they brought in a fix (drinks runner) I suggested as part of the bigger issue I raised. I just think they could do far more.

Me Too. I'm not left speechless very often

As I drove away they were still discussing it as though who does he think he is questioning it

Going to be an interesting night on Sunday when I'm back there again . . . 😂

They know I'm due to mystery shop them, but not which gig (I'm there 3 times in 5 days), so . . .

It was perfectly stewarded tonight bar the photographer.

I wonder why? 😂

I play the long game to make actual changes, rather than just quick wins

So Watch This (or that) Space 😂

I hate having to use Social Media to do it.

Which is why I rarely post anything anymore, but sometimes that's the only option I have.

Tends to result in a message from those involved & we then take it forward privately

You’d be shocked how many bands aren’t aware of the way we are treated/accessibility of venues they play, etc.

So it’s getting the band themselves thinking about it that then gets the changes made

And far far more!

One made them change their set design at certain venues!

If the band allow their management to make that decision for them they are as much to blame

Contacting the management does nothing

So I have to reach out to the band to make them think about their disabled fans

I thought it was just going to be one of those things I’d feedback

I’ve done it at another of their venues with the same access team & a friend has done it at the Apollo & told they aren’t allowed to.

But the band telling them they were allowed to block our view is a different story!

Bless Him. I hope it’s not due to worrying about accessibility, rather being out with his Dad! 😂

Different circumstances I know, but i’d been to a venue 25+ times over the years, yet starting to go in my chair was still tough.

Some will let you go down before you buy tickets if you ask nicely

True. I’m 46/Big Kid At Heart, my wife closes her eyes as I attempt everything I probably should know better not to. I mystery shop access at music venues for a charity, but I love doing the ones that say they are wheelchair accessible to prove they aren’t. And regularly get met with unsafe ramps!