Outstanding Attitude Awards 2019 winners crowned

AEG Presents celebrated a double win at today’s Outstanding Attitude Awards, the new Attitude is Everything event that celebrates excellence and innovation in accessibility for disabled live music audiences.

The promoter’s BST Hyde Park festival picked up awards in the ‘customer service’ and ‘ticketing without barriers – venue/event’ categories, and was commended for recent updates to the event’s disabled-access provision, which resulted in a 50% increase in accessible ticket sales between 2017 and 2018.

At the grassroots venues end of the spectrum, Manchester’s Band on the Wall received a ticketing without barriers award for the depth of access information provided on their website, which includes an audio listings service and an Access Guide made available in braille format.

Other winners at the awards, held today at Islington Assembly Hall in London, were Deer Shed Festival, the SSE Arena Belfast, the Ticket Factory’s Credability Access Card, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Made with Music Mini-Gigs, GigLoo and SoundSense.

The ten winners were selected by an independent panel of music fans, artists, journalists and other industry experts.

“What we’re really celebrating today is good customer service”

Suzanne Bull MBE, CEO of Attitude is Everything, comments: “What we’re really celebrating today is good customer service. Deaf and disabled people represent some of the UK’s most passionate music fans. Millions of us attend live music events, and millions more would like to. We are a significant part of the music community.

“Today’s winners represent some shining examples of how the live music business is responding to this demand. I would like to congratulate all of them, and all of our nominees, not only for the brilliant work that they’ve been doing but also for the inspiration they can offer to others. The Outstanding Attitude Awards is proof that everyone in live music, from the biggest festival to the smallest venue can step up and make a change.”

According to government data, one in ten live music attendees in the UK is deaf or disabled.

Digital and creative industries minister Margot James says: “There’s never been a better time to experience live music and it’s something that everyone should be able to enjoy. I want to see every venue and festival create brilliant facilities for deaf and disabled people, and it’s great to see the Outstanding Attitude Awards showcasing what can be achieved across the UK.”

A full list of award winners is available from the Attitude is Everything website.

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