FEATURE:
Part of the Crowd
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Making the Gig Experience Accessible to Everyone
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I was listening to the radio the…
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other day, and a caller was saying how his daughter, who has autism, was only really free and confident when she was going to gigs. The rest of the time – at home and out and about – she was a lot more nervous and anxious. There are great organisations like Gig Buddies that pair up those with learning difficulties and autism to ensure that they can go to events. It is a great organisation, and one that enables those who can feel isolated become more involved and part of a community. I think an initiative like Gig Buddies is brilliant. On their website, you can discover what they are about:
“The idea behind Gig Buddies is that we want to enable people with learning disabilities and/or autism to enjoy all the great things going on in their community, especially live music. Gig Buddies is a project that pairs up people with and without learning disabilities (and/or autism) to be friends and to go to events together. The Gig Buddies project aims to make volunteering easier for people in Sussex by enabling volunteers to go to gigs they’d already probably be going to anyway, but with someone with a learning disability.
This means they’ll be sharing their passions with each other and be able to fit their volunteering around their other commitments.
Gig Buddies people come from all over Sussex, including Brighton and Hove, Worthing, Chichester, Lewes, Uckfield, Eastbourne and Hastings”.
Whilst Gig Buddies is growing and is helping so many people, it got me thinking about my own predicament – and so many people similar to myself. It is wonderful for people who can go to gigs confidently and blend in but, for so many people, that is not a reality. I have been to gigs in the past, but I find it quite challenging contemplating gigs; the idea of a festival is appealing but, when it comes to navigating my way around and feeling comfortable, it is not something I can do alone. Last year, it was announced that Lewis Capaldi was making his gigs more accessible to those with anxiety and mental-health problems. Whilst it is not possible for every artist to do this for every gig, I do wonder whether a wider scheme can be run. There are plenty of dating websites and apps, but I wonder how many equivalent sites there are when it comes to partnering people for gigs. There are so many people who want to see an artist but have nobody to go with; there are others who feel intimated at gigs and would benefit from someone more experienced and confident partnering with them. It would be similar to Gig Buddies, but I think one could develop an app that catered specifically to gig-goers who have autism, mental-health issues, or feel isolated and in need of company.
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I think the status of live venues around the country will improve; more and more will be secure and get the funding they need. With that, so many acts are going to be out there and cutting their teeth. One cannot get the gig experience online, so they need to be in venues and at festivals. There are so many people in society that are made nervous at the thought of going to gigs alone, even if they sorely want to see that audience. Maybe it is a problem with social interaction or a sense of feeling trampled when in large crowd. In any case, I do think there is a market for a website or organisation that goes nationwide and provides gig companions – I’ll avoid saying ‘buddies’ to avoid copyright - for those who struggle on their own. Over the next couple of days, I am writing a couple of features that suggest ideas in the music industry – I am writing about an interactive music museum and the return of MTV (in its classic form) very soon. I know there are a lot of people who are confining themselves to home, because they cannot handle the gig/festival experience on their own. Whilst an app or national incentive might be great for pairing people together, what about venues and festivals in general? Whilst some big artists (like Lewis Capaldi) are ensuring there are safe spaces at their gigs for people with anxiety and other mental-health concerns, how realistic would it be for all venues and festivals to make similar accommodations?
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Some argue those with physical disabilities and restrictions are not catered for when it comes to big venues – another area that needs to be addressed. The live music scene is wonderful, and every artist wants as many people to see their gigs as possible. It is going to be costly and time-consuming making sure venues are comfortable for all gig-goers and, right now, the sheer power and importance of having someone by your side cannot be undervalued. I like the fact that Sofar Sounds host smaller gigs at random locations, which can be less intimidating – even then, those with autism and other mental-health problems can still feel exposed. I realise there are various forms of autism, and not just anyone can pair up and be able to cope with an illness that can be quite hard to understand. There is a lot to work out, but it all comes back to that radio call-in – that I mentioned right at the top – and how, wonderfully, gigs can be a lifeline to those with conditions like autism. I think there are short and long-term ways to make sure venues and festivals are open and accommodating to everyone. As festivals announce their line-ups and there are tantalising gigs happening all around the world, I have a desire to go and see a few – though I often feel worried about venturing out on my own or sort of getting lost in the crowd. That’s why I think new initiatives would help me and many other people feel…
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INCLUDED and safe.