5
Keep On Rockin’ in the ‘D’ World!
This review is for British Summer Time Concerts in Hyde Park.
This was our first time at BST and we were blown away by Van the man, Yusuf (Cat Stevens) and Neil Young who were so amazing and they all reminded the audience exactly why the world needs music particularly right now. I was also very impressed by the attention to detail regarding access, it was the most accessible music event that I've ever been to and they definitely deserve the gold star award from Attitude is Everything. The viewing platform was in a brilliant location with lots of room and a clear view of the stage; I really loved the (probably unintentional) symbolism of the platform being in front of the VIP area. I felt safe while still being able to enjoy the electric atmosphere at all times. The venue really showed what is possible regarding disabled access without comprising the experience; other music festivals have a lot to learn from their example, especially regarding tracking - it was so smooth and that made the whole experience so much better. Having a relay of staff/volunteers to escort and meet us all the way in was much appreciated, they offered to fetch food and drink if needed and there were also mobile bar staff on the platform.
I have to give a shout out to the BSL performers who absolutely transformed the performance with air guitar and all; ‘The Needle And The Damage Done’ was even more powerful in sign language, in fact, it gave another dimension to the overall performance.
The only negative thing that I would say is that the venue booking system made things unnecessarily difficult by making people think that they absolutely had to download the app in order to enter. I’m against the principle of this being only way to access concerts etc. now. Lots of older people and disabled people would not have been able to access the concert by this way of ticketing, some don’t have mobile phones and more people I know are being more careful about more and more of their lives being controlled by phones and cards. Even Yusef commented on our lives being ‘controlled’, you can make your own mind up but in my opinion, this is ageist and ableist: please sort the ticket access Ticketmaster. Everything else was fine though thanks to the staff for making it so seamless.
It was also great to attend the event in the gorgeous Hyde Park and the path leading into the main area was nice and smooth too. After that, we went to the accessible check in area; there was no problem checking in and staff then led us to the viewing platform. I saw that induction loops were available at check-in too. We were informed that there were two different viewing platforms available in accordance with different needs: one for physical disabilities and the other for hidden disabilities. There was also a chill-out space and a Disabled Hub which was well-sign-posted.
Although I never got any pictures, the Changing Places bathroom was available along with the clean and spacious disabled toilets (all of which were close by and staffed at the entrance).
I would love to go again to this venue; massive thanks to all performers especially Yusef and Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts for a wonderful show; I can still hear the exiting crowd belting out ‘Rockin in the Free World’ going down the street through Central London! It was a great night.
This review is for British Summer Time Concerts in Hyde Park.
This was our first time at BST and we were blown away by Van the man, Yusuf (Cat Stevens) and Neil Young who were so amazing and they all reminded the audience exactly why the world needs music particularly right now. I was also very impressed by the attention to detail regarding access, it was the most accessible music event that I've ever been to and they definitely deserve the gold star award from Attitude is Everything. The viewing platform was in a brilliant location with lots of room and a clear view of the stage; I really loved the (probably unintentional) symbolism of the platform being in front of the VIP area. I felt safe while still being able to enjoy the electric atmosphere at all times. The venue really showed what is possible regarding disabled access without comprising the experience; other music festivals have a lot to learn from their example, especially regarding tracking - it was so smooth and that made the whole experience so much better. Having a relay of staff/volunteers to escort and meet us all the way in was much appreciated, they offered to fetch food and drink if needed and there were also mobile bar staff on the platform.
I have to give a shout out to the BSL performers who absolutely transformed the performance with air guitar and all; ‘The Needle And The Damage Done’ was even more powerful in sign language, in fact, it gave another dimension to the overall performance.
The only negative thing that I would say is that the venue booking system made things unnecessarily difficult by making people think that they absolutely had to download the app in order to enter. I’m against the principle of this being only way to access concerts etc. now. Lots of older people and disabled people would not have been able to access the concert by this way of ticketing, some don’t have mobile phones and more people I know are being more careful about more and more of their lives being controlled by phones and cards. Even Yusef commented on our lives being ‘controlled’, you can make your own mind up but in my opinion, this is ageist and ableist: please sort the ticket access Ticketmaster. Everything else was fine though thanks to the staff for making it so seamless.
It was also great to attend the event in the gorgeous Hyde Park and the path leading into the main area was nice and smooth too. After that, we went to the accessible check in area; there was no problem checking in and staff then led us to the viewing platform. I saw that induction loops were available at check-in too. We were informed that there were two different viewing platforms available in accordance with different needs: one for physical disabilities and the other for hidden disabilities. There was also a chill-out space and a Disabled Hub which was well-sign-posted.
Although I never got any pictures, the Changing Places bathroom was available along with the clean and spacious disabled toilets (all of which were close by and staffed at the entrance).
I would love to go again to this venue; massive thanks to all performers especially Yusef and Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts for a wonderful show; I can still hear the exiting crowd belting out ‘Rockin in the Free World’ going down the street through Central London! It was a great night.
For additional detailed accessibility information, please contact: hyde@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
