Photo: WENN
Jameela Jamil’s gig access initiative, Why Not People? officially launched last night with headline sets from Tinie Tempah and comedian Romesh Ranganathan at London’s Troxy.
Jamil proclaimed "exclusion ends today" upon opening the night focused on breaking down barriers - promoting disabled people and their friends, quite literally, to the front row. Built on a tiered ticketing system, those signed up as members to Why Not People? (requiring proof of disability), secured the best viewing positions, including for carers and a limited number of friends.
Warm-up support from AlunaGeorge, football’s F2 Freestylers, dance troupe Flawless and Noisettes’ Shingai Shoniwa underlined the variety of the bill. A host of measures, from subtitles to vibration SubPacs for deaf fans, ensured everyone was catered for.
The need for such a proactive stance is clear. Despite recent efforts to improve gig accessibility, Trailblazers report one in two young disabled people still feel physical access is the biggest factor stopping them attending a live music event. Moreover, 94% of young disabled people say that last minute ticketing websites did not cater for their needs.
But the night was about much more than just the performances - it promoted an ethos of fearless progression. Guest patrons, including model Sophie Morgan and presenter and acerbic Last Leg comic Alex Brooker, spoke openly about the importance of “ending the awkward” around disability.
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan successfully blew away any sense of sanitisation, even tearing his sign language assistant, somewhat hilariously, to pieces.
This set the stage perfectly for Tinie Tempah, whose appearance really epitomised what can make Why Not People? gigs so unique. As the rapper smashed through a number of hits, including current chart topping single ‘Not Letting Go’, disabled fans were able to get closer than ever before without being shoved on a viewing platform or held back by security. It was a refreshing sight.
As our documentary Access explored, access to live music is a challenge for disabled people. In Jamil’s words, though, “it’s a human right” - a fact the night recognised.
