Attitude is Everything relaunches live charter

Disabled-led charity Attitude is Everything has overhauled its Live Events Access Charter in an effort to further improve accessibility to live events.

The charter was relaunched at a celebratory event held on Wednesday (12 February) at London’s Sinfonia Smith Square, attended by more than 200 guests, supporters and partners. The evening was sponsored by LIVE, PRS for Music, PPL, Halo and MPA.

The revamped charter, which reflects the expansion of Attitude is Everything’s activities, will now operate as a “comprehensive and dynamic online learning platform”, offering charter members “access to user-friendly and accessible resources, templates and guidance”.

“I’m really excited that we’re presenting a new charter that integrates our learning around improving access for artists and professionals, our learnings around environmental responsibility, and that attempts to embed an inclusive culture through everything we do,” says Attitude is Everything interim MD Paul Hawkins. “We’re confident our relaunched charter will give greater transparency to venues and audiences, and give them greater opportunities to learn new practices and demonstrate tangible change.”

It will also now “actively ensure” that access intersects with sustainability, community building and the experiences of artists and professionals, and will use the new online platform to track trends across membership to help spot where the industry needs more support.

“Our new charter isn’t just about compliance – it’s about embedding accessibility as a core value in the live events sector,” adds Alex Covell, Attitude is Everything’s interim head of live events access. “Celebrating this achievement with funders, partners, sector friends, and colleagues in person at Sinfonia Smith Square felt important and special – not just for Attitude is Everything, but for the live events sector as a whole.”

“Live music is a joyous communal experience enriched by taking place in inclusive and accessible spaces”

Attitude is Everything, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, has awarded charter status to more than 210 venues and festivals to date.

“Every year we build brilliant festivals that bring joy, music and wonder to millions,” says Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) CEO John Rostron. “Our gift is that we then have 12 months to reimagine what the festival will look like, and we can constantly create, innovate and improve. This is one wonderful reason why festivals lead on accessibility – they’re more nimble and free to listen, adapt and change – and the new charter is a great framework and measure by which we can all be better for the good of us all.”

The launch evening culminated in four brand-new Live Events Access Charter Awards, recognising innovation, creativity, and commitment to making live events more inclusive. Honourees were: Nottingham venue Metronome (Impact Award), Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival (Operations Award), Lytham Festival (Production Award) and Mark Schofield (Outward Voice Award) for his enthusiasm and contributions as a Mystery Shopper.

“One of LIVE’s core values is that UK live music should be accessible to all – on and off stage and in the audience,” adds LIVE CEO Jon Collins. “In seeking to live those values, LIVE could not ask for a better partner than Attitude is Everything. We are therefore delighted to offer our support for the revised Live Events Access Charter.

“Live music is a joyous communal experience enriched by taking place in inclusive and accessible spaces. It is great, therefore, that the Charter serves as a clear way for our venues and festivals to evidence their commitment to inclusion – a commitment made in the knowledge it improves the experience for us all.”

More information and sign-up details about the Live Events Access Charter is available here.

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