At: O2 Ritz Manchester, Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5NQ
Show: Boston Manor
Date: 19/9/24
View From Accessible Seating Stool
Response from initial email; 4/5 (access@o2ritzmanchester.co.uk)
5 days
Parking at / Near Venue; 4/5
Drive to the venue, turn left down Great Marlborough Street. Disabled parking on Left Hand Side. Limited spaces, but should be enough if you get there early.
Meet & Greet 5/5
Approach venue front doors. Priority access queue on Left Hand Side, main queue will be snaking to the right. Somebody will let you inside the barrier and when the venue opens you will be registered, given a wrist band and directed to the accessible seating which is up a few flights of stairs. Sorry, I think the wheelchair access is on the other side of the venue to the picture I took, on the ground floor. The greeters were fantastic as were the security within the venue.
View 5/5
Absolutely no complaints regarding the view from the side.
Access to Bar & Toilets 5/5
Bar and toilets were easily accessible and as the accessible area was cordoned off and marshalled by security, you could get to the toilets / bar without fear of your seat being taken.
Leaving the Venue 5/5
Despite 1500 people leaving the venue, we were able to get to the car efficiently and drive away from the venue in good time without any traffic congestion.
In Summary
We have seen ‘Boston Manor (From Blackpool)’ numerous times before, but this was the first time since my Cancer diagnosis and subsequent issues with fatigue and stamina. We thought the organisation of the event was fantastic, making best use of the venue for those of us in the accessible area where the staff made you feel comfortable to seek assistance.
Would I visit again? We have already booked our next concert there! Watch this space.
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At: The Key Club, 66 Merrion St, Leeds LS2 8LW
Show: SiM
Date: 14/9/25
View From Accessible Seating Stool
Response from initial email; 4/5 (info@thekeyclubleeds.com)
7 days
Parking at / Near Venue; 5/5
When the disabled spaces outside the venue are full, we park in Q-Park St Johns Centre. Expensive, but convenient. Ramp down to road.
Meet & Greet; 5/5
Arriving 5 minutes early, we announced ourselves to the security guard who got a member of staff to check us off the priority list before showing us to our seats in a small pen at the back of the venue next to the sound / lighting desk. We have been to The Key Club numerous times before Cancer to see bands such as Don Broco, The Hara, Boston Manor, Calva Louise, As December Falls, You Me At Six, Badflower, Deaf Havana, The Luca State, and Hands Like Houses so we know the venue well. Down 26 steep steps, although if you let them know you are coming, there is another entrance, but I have no experience of this entrance and then take you to take your seat (after buying a drink).
View; 5/5
Elevated platform helps see over others while seated if necessary.
Access to Bar & Toilets; 1/5 (upstairs) 2/5 (downstairs)
There are two toilet blocks in The Key Club, one up stairs with limited access and one on the ground level, but only accessible when venue is sold out and they open the side room where they also put the Merch. These toilets are far better than the ones up the stairs, but as mentioned are not always accessible. The Bar(s) are easily accessible.
Leaving the Venue;
Exit is reverse of entrance and with only 300 people capacity, you tend to be OK getting out.
In Summary
This is a regular haunt of ours, indeed we had such a pleasant experience watching SiM, we have booked further gigs at The Key Club. Thank you.
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At: NX Newcastle, Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SW
Show: Wage War
Date: 12/2/25
View From Accessible Seating Stool
Response from initial email; 5/5 (info@nxnewcastle.com)
Same day response! – From Chole.
Parking at / Near Venue; 4/5
Grainger Town Car Park. Apart from having the most confusing payment system this side of the Humber, we parked here due to us staying at the Holiday Inn Express. This hotel is 5 minutes walk from NX Newcastle, and with parking for blue badge holders on levels 2 & 3, you can get out of the car park at ground level. You walk past Tillys for a pre-gig drink, then down to the venue.
Meet & Greet; 5/5
On approaching the venue the main queue is to the right of the front door, priority entrance to the left. The Staff were fantastic in registering us all (3 of us) and issuing us with wrist bands before directing us to Maisy by the photobooth. Up 22 steps, or the lift, then shown to either your viewing platform or seating.
View; 3/5(Seated) 5/5 (Wheelchair)
The view from the accessible seating was restricted by the ceiling, the lights above the VIP area being left on and the lighting bar for the bar staff, however, I had a chat with Rob. Rob is wheelchair bound and we discussed the merits of NX Newcastle accessible facilities which he highly praised, apart from the Bar behind him being closed and the restrictive disabled toilet on our level (RADAR key required). He had a far better view than us as indicated in his photo! Thank you for your time and company Rob.
Access to Bar & Toilets; 2/5
22 steps up to toilets on the floor above, or the disabled (RADAR key) toilet on the same level, but this was relatively small and awkward to access in a wheelchair.
Leaving the Venue; 4/5
2000 capacity venue. Just be patient and wait. Things calm down quite quickly.
In Summary
The staff were awesome, the venue accommodating, just a little more thought given to our view in the accessible seated area, such as switching the VIP lights off would have helped or placing us behind the sound engineers / lighting desk. A little closer to the stage. Toilets are an ongoing issue for us all and may be we will get there in the future.
Would I come again to this venue? Yes. I do quite like this venue and the staff are friendly. Thank you.
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At: O2 Ritz Manchester, Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5NQ
Show: Vukovi / Unpeople/ Artio
Date: 08/03/2025
View from Accessible Seating Area
Response from initial email; 5/5 (access@o2ritzmanchester.co.uk)
Same day response! Thank you……. Box Office Team.
Parking at / Near Venue;
Stayed at Hotel very close to the venue, but car parking was in The NCP Car Park on Whitworth Street in Disabled bay (Level 3) only 3 minutes walk away from venue.
Meet & Greet; 5/5
Approach venue front doors. Priority access queue on Left Hand Side, main queue will be snaking to the right. Somebody will let you inside the barrier and when the venue opens you will be registered, given a wrist band and directed to the accessible seating which is up a few flights of stairs. Sorry, The wheelchair access is on the other side of the venue to the picture I took, on the ground floor. There was some grumblings from one lady who was wheelchair bound, but was not happy with the view, so managed to walk up the stairs for a better view. The greeters were fantastic as were the security within the venue.
View; 5/5
For those of us who were able to walk up the stairs, the view was fantastic, however, did not get a chance to talk to those in the wheelchair dedicated area. Not sure why a slightly raised platform is not provided for them to improve their experience. How difficult would that be.
Access to Bar & Toilets; 5/5
Bar and toilets were easily accessible and as the accessible area was cordoned off and marshalled by security, you could get to the toilets / bar without fear of your seat being taken.
Leaving the Venue;
This time we waited till most had left the building before we went to the merch stand to meet Unpeople. No problems here.
In Summary
We have seen Vukovi numerous times before, but this was the first time seeing Unpeople / Artio. We thought the organisation of the event was again fantastic, making best use of the venue for those of us in the balcony accessible area where the staff made you feel comfortable to seek assistance. I think a little more thought needs to go into the wheelchair provision, although I know this is tricky. I was surprised how many people with walking sticks / walkers had not taken advantage of the accessibility provision.
In talking to the lady to my left, she raved about the provision at Download for the accessibility provision, so my wife and I are toying with the idea of trying to go for a day just to experience the facilities for ourselves, and there are loads of great bands on the Friday! Might see you there.
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At: Northumbria University, 2 Sandyford Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8SB
Show: The Pale White
Date: 15/3/2025
Response from initial email; 5/5 (su.enquiries@northumbria.ac.uk)
1 day – Thank you Chris
Parking at / Near Venue; College Lane Car Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8JJ.
Due to arriving in good time for the gig, parking spaces were plentiful with numerous Disabled Spaces available. Cost £3.88 (till Sunday morning) 2 minutes walk from the venue down a slight ramp, then flat to the students union.
Meet & Greet; 5/5
Walked in, explained I was accessible access, to be greeted with ‘John’. Got escorted (with family) to 1st level in lift, got stamped, got back in lift up to level 2. The security were fantastic seeing that we were comfortable.
View; 5/5
View from Platform / Balcony
We were provided with bar stool placed on a platform which enabled us to watch the gig in relative comfort, however, if you have vertigo……. You can touch the ceiling from here, but so grateful to the venue for providing us with these facilities. Not convinced wheelchair bound attendees could see the stage.
Access to Bar & Toilets; 3/5
OK, so you had to go to the bar on level 1 to get a drink. Ok if you have assistance with you, or you can use the lift etc. The toilets were back through the upstairs bar, about 25m walk, but there was a disabled toilet available. and it was clean!
Leaving the Venue; 5/5
Lift down to ground floor and out of the building, 2 mins walk to car and away! No problems. Quick and efficient.
In Summary;
The staff were fantastic from communications with Chris through emails to the security on the night. Really helpful and accommodating the entire evening. Had a really good night with a really entertaining headline band ‘The Pale White’. Thank you to all involved.
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At: O2 Academy 2 Oxford
Show: SiM / UnPeople (Post Download Gig)
Date: 14th June 2025
Response from initial email; 5/5 (access@o2academyoxford.co.uk)
Within 1 hour! – Thank you so much Florence in reducing the anxiety.
Parking at / Near Venue; (5/5 no problems with location.)
There was a car park at the back of Tesco’s, Union Street Car Park which was 1/2 empty and very close.
Meet & Greet; (5/5 – So good)
The staff at the door were fantastic in getting us in ASAP and the bench style seating had my name taped to it. My fellow afflicted good friend who was to attend the gig with us (but was having another course of chemotherapy and wasn’t up for the journey or the gig) also had his seating area labelled up. We were situated to the left hand side of the stage, next to the speakers (take ear plugs, but they will provide them for you free). My stamina is not what is was since diagnosis and treatment, so standing up for even a short time is a struggle. My wife informs me that the excellent First Aid member of staff kept checking in on me due to my distressed appearance at not being able to stand, but wanting to enjoy the moment. Knowing your audience and attention to detail was fantastic.
View; (5/5 – How good?)
Access seating is usually at the back of the venue, so being ‘up close and personal’ with the gig was fantastic. Absolutely loved the view and the gig……. so good.
Access to Bar & Toilets; (4/5)
My only reservation was to get to the toilets meant a walk through the mosh pit, across the floor. I was OK with this and timed my visits to avoid ‘rush hour’, but others may not be so fortunate with their control!
Leaving the Venue; (5/5)
A few steps down a staircase and we were out side. With the Academy 2 being only a small venue 400 capacity exiting was not a rush or a pushing match. It was quite a calm experience.
In Summary;
Thank you so much to Florence and the team for a most enjoyable, stress-free experience for myself and my wife. Absolutely no hesitation in booking again for further gigs, only that we live 200 miles away.
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At: Rock City Nottingham
Show: Nothing But Thieves / BBY
Date: 24th July 2025
Response from initial email; 5/5 ( info@rock-city.co.uk)
1 Day (Thank you Emma) at short notice.
Parking at / Near Venue; (5/5) Crowne Plaza Car Park / Hanley Street Car Park
Blue Badge parking is on Level 2 close to the ramp and elevators so getting to the venue was quite straight forward.
Meet & Greet; (5/5)
The security staff are well trained which was noticeable from the efficiency they set up the barriers and flags outside the venue. We have been to Rock City too many times to mention prior to diagnosis. It is our favourite venue for the stage arrangement, but also the audience. What a good atmosphere! Accessibility / Priority entrance are to the right of the entrance, identified by a large flag. We got in the rather large queue for access issues with 15 minutes prior to entrance time, and sure enough 5 minutes later we were escorted into the venue, given a brief introduction to the facilities and told to choose weather to go onto the dance floor or continue up the flight of stairs to the balcony where a bar stool would be provided. What a view….
View; (5/5)
Only issue here was that as the venue filled up, you were in with the main crowd pushing to get a place next to you, between you and the people next to you. Quite uncomfortable at times, but manageable.
Access to Bar & Toilets; (4/5)
Bar access was excellent. Never really busy and close to the balcony front. Our only issue was access to the toilets, not the steps down to the toilets, they were fine, but the fact that you had to battle through the crowd to get to the stairs in the first place. As a suggestion, as they do in O2 venues; Cordon off the temporary seating areas for the accessibility audience with a simple fabric barrier to avoid the stress of battling through the masses to get to the toilets. Other than that, the facilities were good.
Leaving the Venue; (3/5)
Just wait ….. or leave early! There are over 2000 people in the venue. You are not going anywhere fast! Down the stairs to the dance floor area, then further down the stairs to the entrance and out. This can be quite scary if you are unstable on your feet and penned in as you shuffle down the stairs holding onto the banister.
In Summary;
Thank you once again to Emma who was all over the accessible customers responses at short notice and only had 20 days to sort those of us afflicted with a stress free experience. No problems in going back…….. In October!
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The Dodgy Walnut 