My love of live music began at the age of 15 when a schoolmate invited me to a Calvin Harris gig in Bournemouth. As a child, I assumed disabled people could not attend gigs or festivals. But that night in Bournemouth changed everything –
“It brought me feelings I’d never felt before and I was transported into another world where I belonged. Live music was my home.“
Going to live music is a magical experience; the loud music, the bass vibrations, the artistic lighting and the atmosphere of being surrounded by like minded people singing and dancing to our favourite tunes.
The organisation and booking processes of gigs and festivals can be stressful and daunting at times but once you are there it is totally worth it.
If a friend or relative believes disable people cannot access concerts and festivals then they are definitely wrong. Don’t let your disability stop you from enjoying the love of music.
Since 2009, these are the full list of gigs and festivals I’ve attended;
- Calvin Harris -O2 Academy Bournemouth (2009)
- Dizzee Rascal – O2 Arena (2010
- Snow Patrol – BIC Bournemouth (2012)
- Professor Green – O2 Academy Brixton (2012)
- Reading Festival 2012
- The Enemy – O2 Southampton Guildhall (2012)
- Muse – Emirates Stadium (2013)
- Victorious Festival (2013)
- Bastille – BIC Bournemouth (2014)
- Reading Festival 2014
- Linkin Park – O2 Arena (2014)
- S Club 7 – Genting Arena, Birmingham (2015)
- Glastonbury Festival 2015
- Foo Fighters – Milton Keynes Bowl (2015)
- V Festival 2016
- Walking on Cars – Portsmouth Pyramids (2016)
- Biffy Clyro – O2 Arena (2016)
- Green Day @ Hyde Park (2017)
- Reading Festival 2017
- The Pigeon Detectives – Wedgewood Rooms (2017)
- Scouting For Girls – O2 Academy Bournemouth (2017)
- The Kooks – Motorpoint Arena (2017)
- Royal Blood – BIC Bournemouth (2017)
- Kasabian – O2 Arena (2017)
So as you can see I’ve done a lot these past 8 years, with 2017 being a jam-packed year.
UPDATE July 2022: Please check out all my live music reviews from 2017 to 2022.
Also if you like more information on access at Reading Festival, then read my article Reading Festival: how accessible is it?
Live music brings me to life in the same way that sitting by the ocean and listening to the waves does. It’s something I can’t explain