Overview

I’ve been to two concerts here in the last few months and both were fantastic experiences. I absolutely love live music and tend to stick to the SSE Hydro but I didn’t want to miss these bands. You buy one ticket online then email the venue for your carer ticket which requires evidence such as PIP award letter. Once this is given once though it’s stored and not required again. When arriving, it matters to be early as the spaces are on a first-come-first-serve basis. However, there are no ‘bad spaces’, all have the same view, but get further away from the toilet and exit. There are a number of staff members outside (in clearly marked uniform), they get someone who appears quickly and introduces themselves. I then needed to go back along the street a little and into a car park, theres a dropped curb to get in but not to get up to the fire exit where wheelchairs access the venue, but they have a portable ramp. The staff bring you in, guide you to the toilet or your space for the night.

Transport & Parking

There is no official parking, we parked in a nearby carpark . There is a bus stop right outside

Access

Once in through the fire exit, there are double doors that staff lead you through and inbetween these doors is a steep ramp, I need to get them to open the next doors so I can go up quickly in my powerchair, I would need assistance in my manual wheelchair. Once in, the accessible platform is right there and goes along the width of the room which gives a great view and a more intimate feel to the gig. The toilet is up a long ramp next to the bar, the ramp is next to the entrance. The first gig I went to I was early and we were situated near the bottom of the ramp which was easier for me to get to the toilet. The second gig was sold out and I got there during the first act, once in our space which was at the far end, it would have extremely difficult to get to the toilet as the area was packed with people. I didn’t drink so I wouldn’t need to go!

Toilets

The toilet is accessible, but very poor. It has folded up manual chairs to the right of the seat so I could not line my chair up. It would be extremely cramped to get a carer in to assist and I almost fell transferring. It is not especially clean or well lit and there is no space to turn.

Staff

The staff are amazing! Without the helpful staff this could be quite a stressful experience. They are super helpful, walking ahead and clearing space through people so you can get in and out, and use the toilet. There are lots of staff about wearing jackets that easily identify them. They are really polite and friendly.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I really enjoyed the gigs here, I forgot I was even in my wheelchair at times as I just like part of the crowd; not separate or different. The crowds have been super nice as well, Glasgow is a friendly city. I will definitely go back- but I’ll arrive early!

Photos