Article
Music - the greatest equaliser of all. Music brings in so many stories of the dreamers, the realists and the creatives from all different cultures, backgrounds and general walks of life. A story crafted by one will become the anthem of another resonating with similar experiences. But despite this... it also isn't equal, and let me explain.
Why would I, a neurodivergent individual, a person who is from a community that typically struggles with loud noises, unpredictability and large crowds, be drawn to it like a moth to the light, rather than be completely repulsed by the entire concept of a live act?
Pondering this, I realise that music as an idea is not actually unpredictable at all.
Whether it's the traditional 4/4 or other signatures music is structure. Every song will have a chorus, bridge, hook and verses, really the best songwriters should be types that base their lives off structure and story.
The absolute euphoria of experiencing live music in a crowd, it's a place where it's safe to drop the "mask" and just let it all out as everyone around you is also experiencing the moment as much as you are. There's no gatekeeping in how you are allowed to act in a space which is incredibly rare in a public space. Everyone works as one to bring the energy to the room and genuinely feel every emotion from your favourite songs from your top artists you have idolised.
The age old problem of accessibility both as fans and artists has always been there and still remains. ABC's Headliners pinpoint the problem with venues having been built based on their time they were designed. Rather than the barricade being seen as nirvana, it's also seen to be barricading people with disabilities from getting the maximum access and ability to get their worth as much as other more physically abled people.
Standing for two hours to see your favourite act may be ideal for some, but for others it's a major challenge. In many cases without a point for wheelchair users to be able to access it leads to them being "lessened" to the back of the crowd. It's hard for some to bring up the energy and enthusiasm required to attend such events, leading to many to miss out.
And with this issue stems an additional problem, if you can't access, then how do you become a performer yourself? Few artists with disabilities get the spotlight, it's people like Sue Lowry, the 2023 ARIA Music Teacher Award winner teaching kids with disabilities that they too can do it. And Dylan Alcott, 15 time Grand Slam winner and founder of Ability Fest, Australia's largest festival for people with disabilities, championing these communities and lobbying promoters and government to remind that we exist, we have the ability to perform to the same standards and should be proud of upgrading all venues to meet requirements.
Music can be the greatest equaliser - if we commit to making it accessible for all.