Since moving to the UK quite a few years ago, I made a point of getting to see as many as my favourite artists as I could. My eye condition was mild during the first years here. My friends knew I would need an arm to navigate crowds and dark places and were always happy to offer it.
As time went on, my sight changed, I had to start making some adjustments, especialy when starting to use a white cane. I still have some central vision and try to make the best out of it.
I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the things that have helped over the years.
Hopefully I won’t forget anything!
If you have any tips and tricks you would like to add, please share in the comments!
Finding friends who are as crazy about music as me
I have met some the most special people in my life through the love of music, a few of them have become real good friends too. I am super happy that we have gone to concerts together and have so many memories and fun things to look back to.
Some of the people I go to concerts with I met through work. Some others I first met online through music communities. I always make sure to let people I am going to a concert with I will need to hold on to their arm (or as I call it, ‘borrow their arm‘) to navigate my way around in the dark / crowded places and to let me know if there are any steps.
Find out more about the venue
Before spending any of my hard-earned money, I always make sure to check if the venue offers essential companion tickets.
Most of the UK medium / large size venues do this. Information on how to get them, including what type of proof of disability to supply is normally available through the accessibility pages on their websites.
Get those concert tickets!
I always try my best to follow the venue’s process to get essential companion tickets instead of going through major ticket sites. The venues are the ones who have reserved allocation of accessible tickets.
Most places will accept registration as blind / visually impaired as proof of disability. Recently I also applied for an Access Card, a system increasingly being adopted across venues in the UK.
Once l lost out on getting accessible tickets after going through one of the major ticketing sites, expensive mistake.
Sometimes concerts have high demand making it difficult to get essential companion tickets. In those cases I will pay full price.
Find out if the venue offers additional assistance and how to request it
I am going to be the first one to admit skipping this (I blame internalised ableism). It was after learning about the experience of another gig going friend that I gave it a go.
Nowadays, I usually email the venue in advance to request both my companion and me are let in together as soon as doors open, or that the staff guide me if we get separated. They are always helpful. I cannot recommend it enough. It makes the experience so much better.
Planning travel in advance
I live in a tiny town and often travel to larger towns / cities to go to concerts. It is a little bit of an adventure, especially because of my eyes. I find traveling early really helps. It buys time in case of train delays. It also allows grabbing a quick bite to eat, which is essential for concert foodies like me, who like getting there early but don’t want to starve!
When one of my friends is driving, I bring my blue badge and research where the closest disabled parking is located.
If I am traveling to an unfamiliar / busy place, I use the Passenger Assistance app to organise assistance.
On bad eye days, I also approach staff at the barrier. They are always happy to board the train.
Fun fact, I use my local train station that often the staff already knows me and ask I am ok. When I tell them I am going to a concert they tend to say: ‘I remember talking to you the other week’.
Checking out the area in advance
When going to a venue for the first time, I find it useful to check how far it is from the train station and how to travel there in case I can’t meet with my friends on arrival.
At first, I mostly used Google maps. In the last couple of years, my sight has gotten a bit worse. Looking at photos of the venue helps navigating my way around far better in unfamiliar places.
Getting decent earplugs
I like being close to the front, it also makes it easier for me to see, but let’s face it, it’s loud! My brain gets overwhelmed, and I don’t want to lose my hearing too.
I got a good pair of earplugs on a sturdy case which now live hooked to my keyring. Recently, I switched from Alpine PartyPlug to Loop Experience 2 earplugs. I liked the Alpine ones, but they were too big, meaning i was losing to much sound and they were always trying to fall out. I am happy with Loop so far, they are comfortable, take the edge off and also come in a keyring friendly case.
Getting a good torch
For the longest time I carried a small torch on my keyring, which is super useful for when getting home in the dark. Occasionally, I also used the torch on my phone.
In the last year, my night vision has gotten worse so I got a new gadget, a torch I can attach to my white cane. I am still getting used to walking around with it on. I am confident it will get better with time.
Embracing the adventure of getting to the venue
No matter how much I plan ahead, there is always something that comes up last minute: train delays and cancellations, storms, roadworks delaying the Uber ride, and many more.
All of these things might have been a little anxiety triggering, specially with my wonky vision. Stil, l managed to figure out a solution. Once I got to the concert, it was so much worth it.
Preparing for when doors open
Whenever possible, I ask staff for assistance before doors open. They are always happy to help.
As I mentioned before, I am slowly getting used to emailing venues in advance. Especially since finding out places like The Garage (Glasgow) and Wembley Arena (London) – to name a few – have their own process.
It has taken away the stress of doors opening. Makes gig going so much more enjoyable!
Concert time, forget all the worries!
The lights go off, intermission music stops, it’s time for the acts to come on stage. I have been looking forward to this moment for a while, I know as many of the lyrics as I can, I have even been listening to the playlist with the concert setlist on repeat in preparation (yes, I am that type of nerd). It’s time to enjoy!
I also snap a few photos and videos of the show. Taking photos and sharing them with others it’s something I enjoy. The camera has slowly become my eyes, it helps capturing things I would have otherwise missed.
I always try my best to use the music and the atmosphere to let off the stress of the travel and whatever happened during the week. It’s totally worth it!
Time to go home, and plan for the next one!
Generally, I try to walk back to the station with friends. If they are traveling in a different direction, I tend to ask one of them to stick around until my Uber arrives. I have also learned to ask the Uber driver to drop me off close to a station door.
Train stations tend to be quieter and easier to navigate in the evenings. I have learned to accept assistance from staff when they offer it, makes traveling back so much easier.
Once I am back home, I let friends know I returned ok, put on the concert playlist, and start plotting the next one.
This blog ended up longer than expected. It was surprising to learn how much preparation I put in advance. There is always some anxiety lingering around when heading to a concert with a pair of eyes that work very differently from others. I have learnt to feel the fear and do it anyway. I am more confident and resilient because of my crazy concert adventures. Can’t wait to go to the next one!