A New Platform for Disabled Artists
A groundbreaking initiative has emerged to support disabled musicians and ensure they are recognized as professionals within the music industry. This new platform, called UnMute, aims to tackle the issue of “infantilisation” – where disabled artists are often treated as children rather than respected professionals.
UnMute has already gained traction with its artists being booked for performances at notable festivals such as Shambala in Northamptonshire and Brighton’s The Great Escape, as well as St George’s Day at Trafalgar Square. The roster was organized by Global Local, a project dedicated to creating performance opportunities for a diverse range of artists.
Chris Tofu, who runs Global Local and is also one of the directors of Glastonbury’s Shangri-La area, shared his vision with the Press Association: “We really want to change a few things that annoyed us, and one of them is that it’s so hard and rare to see disabled artists on stage when there’s a vast community of them.”
He highlighted the incredible performance by Drag Syndrome at Glastonbury, an act composed of individuals with Down Syndrome who delivered a powerful set. Tofu also mentioned their collaboration with Deaf Rave, a group of deaf DJs who create music through vibrations on the floor.
“Over the years, we’ve worked with all these people, and we’ve had incredible gigs, but it’s really hard for them to get gigs, and sometimes for bookers to understand that,” he added.
To address these challenges, UnMute has created a roster of artists that will be shared with Global Local’s network of festivals and venues. The goal is to open up more opportunities for shows while supporting each artist’s needs using the Musicians’ Union Access Rider, a guide for agreeing on practical adjustments for performances.
Andrew Lansley, the creative director of UnMute and an autistic artist, discussed some of the issues faced by disabled artists, including requests for no strobe lighting being ignored and wheelchair ramps that are too small.
“The one thing I look out for is if someone says it’s fully accessible, that is an absolute indicator that it is not,” he said.
Lansley emphasized the importance of approaching these challenges from a position of collectivism rather than conflict. “This is about helping the community find its feet within the professional and live music sector, but equally helping the live music sector understand how to engage with an amazing group of artists that have currently been untapped.”
One of the artists who has joined the UnMute roster is Emzae, whose real name is Emma Shaw. She will be performing her first gig in London in April. Emzae lives with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), which causes strong fatigue and sleep issues, as well as cognitive dysfunction.
She explained that UnMute provided “a huge weight off my shoulders” as her condition, along with her OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), made it difficult for her to handle the administrative side of being an artist such as building a team and organizing gigs.
Speaking about why she joined UnMute, Emzae said: “I’ve never wanted to be famous, my definitions of success is just making a comfortable living from doing what I love, and being able to maintain my wellbeing and happiness, that’s all I’m striving for, that’s like the ultimate goal.”
“I think that UnMute… what I’m looking for out of it is just to take a bit of weight off my shoulders, I know that everyone’s in it for the right reasons. I know that they’re out there actively getting opportunities for all of us, (and it means) me not having to send out so many emails and having to use another bit of my brain that could be utilised on me being well.”
