Live Nation festivals have turn out to be more accessible for disabled fans following a legal row relating to Wireless and Download.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) took action in opposition to the ticketing large on behalf of itself and its pageant operator, Festival Republic. The lawsuit got here after stories of accessibility points reemerged, relating to Wireless 2022 and Download 2023.
Disabled music fans reported points with having the ability to see the stage, highlighted situations of employees questioning their disabilities, and famous an absence of accessible bathrooms on web site. One fan who went to Wireless in 2022 described the occasion as “disheartening and a waste of time and money” due to the problems going through disabled festival-goers (by way of BBC News).
In response, the EHRC entered a legally-binding Section 23 settlement with Live Nation to make sure that it made accessibility enhancements. These included enhanced Accessibility Guides, new tips that had to be adopted by employees, an audit of all pageant web sites, and obligatory organisation-wide incapacity consciousness and inclusion coaching.
More sensory calm areas had been launched, in addition to a thriller shopper system the place disabled members attend chosen festivals and assess the accessible amenities accessible. After the occasions, surveys had been handed out to disabled fans to overview the requirements.
“Festivals should be a place where everyone can have fun and make lasting memories,” stated Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson. “That’s why we took action against Live Nation, using our regulatory powers to ensure it complied with its legal duties to create inclusive and accessible events that everyone can be a part of.”
She additionally stated that the previous two years have seen Live Nation meet the phrases of the legal settlement, and the “tangible improvements will create an environment every fan can enjoy and give disabled people an opportunity to have their voices heard, shaping the accessibility of future events”.
Stephenson added that different pageant operators are being pushed to “examine what they are doing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled fans and ensure they are creating inclusive events for everyone” as nicely. Check out the total report here.
Live Nation additionally gave additional perception into adjustments it applied, sharing with NME that it has “undertaken a multi-year programme, shaped by feedback from accessibility customers, to deliver improvements across our festivals”.
The adjustments embody all of these aforementioned, together with sensory calm areas and improved tips, and for Download Festival specifically, more adjustments have been made as that pageant attracts more folks with accessibility necessities than some other.
Changes at Download embody putting in “one of the largest viewing platforms in the country”, “an accessible campsite next to the arena, with full facilities and specialist staff”, “a second accessible campsite being introduced for 2026”, “a 70-strong on-site accessibility team” and more.
“We want everyone to feel welcome, confident and able to enjoy live music,” stated a Live Nation spokesperson. “Accessibility is built into how we plan and deliver our festivals, with a dedicated team focused on supporting people throughout their experience. We’re proud of what we have achieved, but it doesn’t stop here. We’ll keep listening, learning and improving so that all fans feel included at our events.”
The legally binding settlement Live Nation UK has signed with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) additionally impacts the Crystal Palace Concert Series, Finsbury Park Concert Series, Latitude Festival, Wilderness, Gunnersbury Park Concert Series, Reading Festival and Leeds Festival.
“Festivals deserve to be enjoyed by all, including disabled people. No one should be subjected to poor treatment when attending or being put off from attending altogether due to unacceptable access issues,” stated Baroness Falkner, chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (as per MusicWeek).
“The reported experiences at both Wireless and Download festival were unacceptable and should never have happened. We welcome Live Nation’s commitment to improve their services and the signing of this agreement will ensure disabled people are not left behind at future events.”
As nicely as going through stress to make its festivals more accessible for disabled fans, Live Nation can also be feeling a push to assist assist grassroots venues and rising expertise within the UK.
Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray wrote to NME concerning the want for the business and Live Nation to “step up to help the next generation of talent”, which might be accomplished by paying into the arena and stadium ticket levy, earlier than the federal government is compelled to intervene and make it necessary by legislation.
The stress comes as 30 grassroots venues were lost forever between July 2024 and July 2025, and final 12 months alone noticed more than half of these remaining making no revenue and over 6,000 jobs misplaced. The final decade has additionally seen the UK endure from the “complete collapse of touring“, with 175 towns and cities declared “gig deserts”, and 35million folks with out stay music of their space or neighborhood.
So far, London Royal Albert Hall has become the first UK arena to voluntary start paying into the scheme last year, and artists together with Sam Fender, Harry Styles, Radiohead, Lily Allen, Enter Shikari, Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice, Biffy Clyro, Ed Sheeran, Take That, The Cure, Kojey Radical, Foo Fighters and more have proven their assist by doing voluntary “levy” ticket contributions.
Despite this progress, Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray advised NME about why there may be nonetheless a great distance to go earlier than we see any concrete change.
“At present, only 30 per cent of tickets for 2026 shows are currently supporting the voluntary ticket contribution. More major venues, tour operators, agents and artists need to step up,” he stated. “In particular, while several major promoters have thrown their unequivocal support behind the Trust, a small number have not.”
“Live Nation, given its hugely influential position in the market, could make a major positive impact if it changes its stance,” he added. “I urge them to reconsider and step up to help the next generation of talent.”
Live Nation, who performed an element in Harry Styles contributing £1 for each ticket to his upcoming Wembley Stadium residency to the LIVE Trust, responded to the criticism by telling NME that they “support artists’ choices on charitable donations, and has worked with numerous artists who have contributed to the voluntary levy – from Coldplay to Biffy Clyro – and will continue to do so.”
In a follow-up assertion, a Live Nation spokesperson added: “Live Nation helps the goals of the LIVE Trust and the voluntary ticket contribution, and we welcome the rising variety of artists selecting to decide in.
“Alongside this, we support grassroots music at scale by promoting thousands of shows each year in small venues and helping artists build their careers from clubs onwards.”
