Wheelchair users guide to a stress free concert experience

I absolutely love going to concerts, concerts are my happy place. They just make me feel alive end they just make me forget everything a little. Ever since I became paralysed, I have found it so incredibly hard to get accessible tickets for anything and honestly it’s the most stressful thing in the world. Why can’t anything ever be simple for us. It’s honestly so frustrating. The first ever concert that I actually booked tickets for was Harry Styles Love on Tour 2023. I was honestly so surprised. I remember begging my mum to ring up asking for tickets and she was like no they’ll run out by now he’s on next month. But guess what it turned out that there were still loads left. So what we had to do was send Wembley all our details like my pip (personal independence payments) and the log it on there system so we wouldn’t have to send it again. So that was pretty straightforward. In my opinion I much prefer the o2 rather than Wembley as it’s easier to find everything as it’s much smaller and Wembley is a nightmare to get to.

What’s an access card?

Now I’ve never even heard of one of these before. It wasn’t until I was doing research that I came across the access card website last year and this card has helped me so much. So when you apply for one you have to fill out this form listing all of the requirements you will need and then you will receive this small card in the post will will have small symbols on it like a plus 1 or a ramp or a guide dog. It just lets people know what needs you may need and it will help you get better luck at buying accessibility tickets in the future. It hasnt definitely helped me so much securing those tickets and Its 100% worth applying for one. You can apply for one here. It does cost £15 but once youve applied for one your all set to go. 

Whats the access like at Wembley Stadium?

I’ve only been to two music Venues so far and one of them is Wembley. Now in my experience, Wembley is very tricky to get to but there are brilliant disabled parking spaces there but before you go you have to book the parking in advance. When I went to the summer time ball we couldn’t do this and it was very stressful but my mum and dad dropped me and my friend off and went home after. At Wembley, it’s a little difficult to get around as it’s so huge but there are thousands of staff who are so helpful and friendly and eager to help whenever you need it. There are also lifts for you to go up to the stadium in whatever colour car park zone you’re in. It’s just amazing. The first time I went I was a little nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. But I had a really incredible experience and I loved every second of it. I just wanted to go back again and again. But overall Wembley’s accessibility is amazing but getting to the stadium is a little tricky as there is so much traffic around. But if I was you, I would plan everything as soon as you get the tickets like the car parking your travel and how your planning to get there. You need to find the easiest route. For me it was by car as I get a lot of anxiety when going on the trains especially when they’re packed full of people. It stresses me out a lot. So whatever you feel the most comfortable you do it. But overall Wembley was amazing. Very accessible and staff was very helpful and kind to everyone.

How Accessible is the o2?

Now last year I went to the o2 to see Niall Horan perform for the first time live ever and wow it was such an amazing experience. The o2 is so much smaller than Wembley and so much easier to find. There’s a dedicated car park with loads of disabled access. Like Wembley I had to book this before hand on the o2 website but it was perfect really we found our way around the place so much easier and the o2 is definitely a lot more organised than Wembley which I love. The one thing that does really annoy me though about the o2 when buying accessibility tickets, the website doesn’t just come up with the accessible bays but also the ambulent seats to. I mean come on how are we supposed to know which ticket is which. It’s just ridiculous. So my tactic here is to buy the same tickets the same exact area where I sat watching the Niall Horan concert. That way I wouldn’t question like oh did I get the right ones or not. Why can’t they just put them separately like any other venue at least it would be less confusing for all of us. But yeah by the end of 2024 I was literally a pro at buying concert tickets. This year I’ve got 4 coming up and I’m actually going to Hyde park festival for the first time so I’ll make a review post on that and what it was like attending. This will actually be my first ever festival and I’m super excited! 

I hope you enjoyed reading this little guide to a stress-free concert experience and that it’s helped you in some way. Let me know in the comments—what was your first concert experience?