Witnessing your favorite artists perform live or attending a live music event is something one should be able to experience at least once in their lifetime. But it may not be as easy as it sounds for everyone. Fortunately, the power of technology helps broaden the experience for everyone. Some artists, organizations, and concerts are heading in the right direction by creating more inclusive audience experiences.
Here are some inclusive and accessible concert experiences –
Music of the Spheres World Tour – Coldplay
Coldplay’s efforts to make their concerts accessible and an enjoyable experience for everyone show how deeply they care about their fans. “We want our live shows to be as inclusive and accessible as possible,” the band shared in a statement on their Instagram. Coldplay is currently on their Music of the Spheres world tour, wherein they provide SUBPACs (a wearable vest which is an audio system that allows people to feel the bass through vibrations), in addition to two sign language interpreters at every show.
The ‘Yellow’ hitmakers are doing this for their D/deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. Those wanting to attend Coldplay’s concerts with the interpreter and Subpacs could email [email protected]. “Please also write to this email address with any other suggestions to make the tour more accessible,” added the seven-time Grammy Award-winning British band.
Under One Roof
Under One Roof is a fully-accessible rave for adults with learning disabilities. Recently, they hosted a Summer Party at The Pink Room at YES in Manchester. DJ THE FAT BRITNEY, one-half of the Fatcamp DJ Collective, supplied music for the event. The tickets to the event were sold out, and Under One Rave had to add extra tickets in addition to moving the party from the basement to The Pink Room at YES for more space to dance. The venue was fully accessible with an accessible lift and toilets.
Under One Roof is returning to The Pink Room at YES for an Autumn Party on Thursday, September 8 from 6 PM to 9 PM. The tickets for the carers are free, just as they were for the Summer Party.
Club 1111
Billed as Maryland’s first and only adult nightclub for people with disabilities, Club 1111 is open on the 2nd Saturday every month from 5 PM to 9 PM. All guests must register in advance and entry will be limited to 300 guests and caregivers. Guests must pay USD 10 for entry. A maximum of one caregiver/family member will be allowed per guest.
Visit the Club 1111 | league-for-people website: HERE
7UP + Martin Garrix – A Concert for the Deaf
In 2016, the Dutch DJ Martin Garrix staged a special concert for the Deaf community. For this event, Garrix’s music was turned into an extrasensory experience for the dance-loving Deaf community. He partnered with 7-Up to create ‘Music Lifts You Up’, which featured members of the deaf community who described “why music is important to them, even though they’ve lost the ability to hear,” according to Rolling Stones. The performance’s video premiered during Ultra Fest in Miami and on Crave Online.
According to Teen Vogue, Martin Garrix’s concert saw walls covered in speaker cones. Fans and attendees could feel and interact with it. The padded flooring at the venue vibrated throughout the body as the visuals were paired with water experiments offering a fun-filled experience.
Some guests were offered a SubPac-like backpack system. They could feel vibrations as they conveyed bass throughout the body. Martin Garrix’s concert created an inclusive and a completely encompassing audio-visual experience for the attendees.
“This is one of the best shows I ever did,” Garrix said after the concert. “Motion, vibration, visual-wise… I got in this room and stepped on one of those vibrating platforms and played a note and I got scared. They gave me a backpack which vibrates the music, makes the vibrations stronger,” Garrix said. He was speaking of the specially built venue for the unique performance.
Your Music Incorporated
Your Music Incorporated is a non-profit organization. It provides the finest live classical music concerts for children as well as adults with disabilities or special needs.” Your Music Incorporated hosts concerts specially designed for those who “cannot attend traditional concert settings.” It helps them enjoy concerts in a welcoming and inclusive environment
Their team of “professionals design and perform concerts for people with special needs including:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Sensory processing disorders
- Disability
- Dementia
- Poor health
- Lack of social support
- Limited transport options
- Personal reasons for avoiding large public spaces.”
Your Music Incorporated’s concerts are wheelchair accessible. Their team ensures that the concerts are designed to suit your circumstances. Professional classical musicians perform live to exhibit their skills before you. Your Music Incorporated’s concerts are “supported by onsite, highly qualified and experienced therapists.”
