Check for an Access Scheme
Lots of concert venues are part of an Access Scheme. This allows people with a disability to get tickets ahead of the General Release date, and makes sure you have the best seating for you at the concert.
At the bottom of this page you’ll find several Access Schemes.
Buying your tickets
Tickets go on sale before the General Release date, which means I’m not as rushed to get my seats booked. I can buy 1 ticket for myself and get 1 free for my companion. My dad came with me to Busted and he really enjoyed it!
Arrive early to beat the rush
For Busted, I went to the Bournemouth International Centre, which is part of an Access Scheme. This meant I could arrive earlier than other people, and get settled into my seat.
This makes things less stressful than arriving with big crowds, and it also means I can get comfortable for the concert.
We were allowed in at 6.30pm. The general ticket doors opened at 7.30pm.
Check Venue Accessibility
I was really pleased that the Bournemouth International Centre had good accessibility. There was enough space for wheelchairs, and a good view of the stage.
This time we were on a lower platform which was a lot better to see the stage. I’ve been before and a bar has been in my eyeline, but this time the bar was low so I could happily see over.
There were also lots of huge screens to watch the band on, which I really liked because my eyesight is not great.
There were 4 or 5 other wheelchair users with their carers on the platform with us.
You’re given a key to access the disabled toilets, which were located near the wheelchair seating section of the concert hall.
What to take with you
For this concert I took my own drink in a plastic bottle. However, sometimes these are confiscated, as some venues don’t like plastic bottles and caps.
If you do take your own bottle and it’s confiscated, ask the security guard to empty the contents into a cup for you, which they should be happy to do.
You could also take a bag of sweets with you, if you wanted.
“Check if your venue is part of an Access Scheme, for discounted tickets and early access”
Carly
Getting to the venue
My dad drove us to this concert, and we parked at the venue itself.
One thing I didn’t know before we arrived was that I could have pre-booked parking. Because we didn’t, we had to park on a higher floor with no disabled parking spaces.
So it’s worth checking before you go. Perhaps check when you first buy the tickets and book your parking at the same time.
Even though we hadn’t pre-booked parking, my dad paid for the parking at the start of the night so we didn’t have to queue to pay on the way out. So that’s a tip, if the car park lets you do that.
Protecting my ears
Even though I’d booked to see Busted, there were other support acts on before them.
I don’t always enjoy music I don’t know, and some of this music was quite heavy and not enjoyable for me.
So my advice is to take a pair of ear defenders with you. I took mine and kept them on until Busted were on stage.
Music and sounds can impact me physically & emotionally, so it’s important to protect your ears if you’re the same.
Carly's Top Tips
Buy your tickets via an Access Scheme, if available. You can early access and a free companion ticket.
Take ear defenders. Concerts are loud, but may also have other bands you won’t enjoy.
Plan your route to the concert in advance. Book your car parking if you can, or pay when you arrive.
Check venue accessibility before you go, and always ask for help if you need it.
Take a drink, but be prepared in case it’s confiscated.
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