Ah, the joys that come with attending a music festival. A chance to dance and sing along to your favourite artists up close and in the flesh – or in the case of disabled attendees at last weekend’s Wireless Festival, from really far away.
The Crystal Palace event, which ran from Friday through Sunday, featured a lineup that included A$AP Rocky and Tyler, the Creator.
But, disabled music fans could still enjoy the music by using their viewing platform. It showed them at the park’s edge.
The foreground shows a gravel path, while beyond that is a large stretch of the field just before the main crowd. These are small specs visible in front the main stage. Not much.
Katouche Goll is a disability activist Twitter shared footageOn Friday, one person was admitted to the platform “and vomited on the platform stairs”.
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One day later, she added: “It’s just as bad today – no improvements have been made! No one can get their wheelchairs over the gravel, so we’re not able to move around the grounds.”
Katouche Also claimedThere are many pathways available on-site “no signage, large potholes and no tracking pad with grip for mobility aids”The staff were alleged to be “incompetent, hostile and unwilling to support”.
“Equitable access is not a favour, it’s a human right. Disabled people have the right to attend festivals just like everyone else,”She spoke.
Hannah is another user. Pictures sharedIt appears to be Wireless Stage. Half of the view is obscured in a giant tree.
“I want a refund,”She wrote.
Other social media users were shocked at the views.
According to Wireless’ access pageFestival Republic and Live Nation, the festival organizers, have posted a request on their website for the festival to be added. “be an event that is accessible for all”.
“At all of our festivals, we work closely with the charity Attitude is Everything, who work to improve Deaf and disabled people’s access to music,”They agreed.
But, attitude is everything. Since then, taken to TwitterYou can confirm that “contrary to the copy on the website we did not advise on the planning of this particular event”.
They wrote: “We are collating all feedback and social media posts. Anyone who wishes to is welcome to send their experiences to [email protected].”
Indy100 contacted Festival Republic and Live Nation to get their feedback.
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