A music fan has spoken out after his access request was turned down for a Ryan Adams concert in Bristol. Dr Paddy Ladd, who was born partially deaf but has been completely deaf since 2013, said he was “deeply shocked and disillusioned” after being told by promoters he could not move seats at Bristol Hippodrome to watch the US singer despite the show allegedly not being sold out at that time.
Dr Ladd, who is 71, said he has been determined not to let deafness prevent him from enjoying live music and attending concerts. He uses a balloon to feel the vibrations, lipreads and has a set of lyrics and a small light to see them along with a personal assistant who uses British Sign Language. He explained that other promoters in Bristol and elsewhere have always been very accommodating of these requests.
He had second row seats to see Ryan Adams - who he has been a fan of for 18 years - at Bristol Hippodrome on Monday (April 17) but was issued a refund when the promoter could not accommodate his request for the use of a small light to read along with the lyrics.
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“Knowing that the artist suffers from Ménière’s disease, which can be triggered by bright lights, and - like myself - from tinnitus, my friends and I spent several weeks trying to contact the artist and his management team to reassure them that his small light would be hidden from stage view,” Dr Ladd explained.
Dr Ladd said Adams’ promoter responded to confirm the light would be a distraction for the artist in the second row of the theatre. “When I put my case again to them, they said they would ask the venue about other seating, then got back to me to say that the venue had said that no good options were available though it had not sold out at that time.
“My other friend who attended specifically looked up to check the boxes I had mentioned where a small light would be quite invisible and several were empty.”
Reflecting on the outcome, he said: “I am deeply shocked and disillusioned with the artist, team, and venue, that in this day and age, such a lack of respect and understanding is deemed to be acceptable.”
Dr Ladd had hoped for some compensation for being unable to attend the show and said he wanted to come forward with his story to stop such experiences from happening to those who have access needs. He said he has made similar access requests at other venues which have been granted, including at a concert in Cardiff to see Bob Dylan.
“[Dylan] too is sensitive to lights from the audience because he is constantly being photographed and filmed since he is far more famous than Adams. Consequently, his stage lights are very dim indeed.
“My tickets both times were for the front row - so nobody in front to block my light - the venue worked with his management and security team on the night to find solutions.”
Bristol Hippodrome said it wouldn’t be able to comment on this particular matter. A spokesperson highlighted the theatre’s access policy - including services for D/deaf and hard of hearing people - and that the team aims to accommodate as many individual requests as it can.
BristolLive has approached Ryan Adams’ promoter, management and agent for comment.
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