Equality Commission Urges Festival Promoters to Improve Accessibility After Live Nation Case
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) says it is satisfied that Live Nation and its Festival Republic arm have met commitments made in 2023. The regulator monitored the company’s actions and found improvements at major UK festivals. Filmogaz.com reports the EHRC now expects wider industry change.
Why the regulator intervened
Media coverage highlighted accessibility failures at Wireless in 2022 and Download in 2023. Disabled attendees reported poor sightlines, a shortage of accessible toilets, and staff questioning their disabilities. The EHRC opened a formal action in 2023 in response to these reports.
Legal and regulatory context
The EHRC, an independent statutory body covering Britain, enforces equality and human rights standards. It cites the Equality Act 2010, which requires service providers to make anticipatory reasonable adjustments for disabled customers.
Terms of the agreement with Live Nation
A legally binding deal was signed in November 2023. It set out specific measures to improve festival accessibility across Live Nation events.
- Create and embed accessibility policies and guidelines across all festival stages.
- Publish enhanced accessibility guides for festival-goers.
- Audit websites and apps to ensure compliance with web content accessibility guidelines.
- Introduce mandatory organisation-wide disability awareness and inclusion training.
- Provide sensory calm spaces at festivals.
- Run a mystery shopper system using disabled participants to assess facilities.
Monitoring and results
The EHRC monitored Live Nation’s progress for the past two years. The commission concluded the company had implemented the agreed measures.
EHRC chair Mary-Ann Stephenson said the changes should help disabled fans enjoy festivals equally. She also noted the importance of listening to disabled people when shaping future events.
Call to action for the sector
The Equality Commission wants other festival promoters to review their practices. Promoters must take steps to improve accessibility and ensure compliance with legal duties.
Festival operators are urged to anticipate varied access needs. The EHRC expects the Live Nation case to prompt broader change across the live music industry.
