UnMute Roster Pioneers Support for Disabled Musicians in the UK
The UK music industry is witnessing a groundbreaking initiative with the launch of the UnMute roster, the first of its kind dedicated to representing disabled musicians. Founded by double bassist Andrew Lansley, who concealed his autism diagnosis for a decade due to fears of losing performance opportunities, this roster seeks to overhaul ableist booking practices that have long marginalised artists with disabilities.
Addressing Systemic Barriers in Live Music
Research reveals that disabled musicians earn approximately £4,000 less annually than their non-disabled peers, with 57% reporting career obstacles linked to their disabilities. A 2024 study by the Musicians' Union found that only 31% of disabled musicians are fully open about their conditions with collaborators, while Attitude is Everything's research indicates that four in ten do not disclose their access requirements to venues. Lansley, now creative director of UnMute, emphasises that the disabled community desires to be viewed as an investment rather than a cost, moving beyond mere compliance.
The roster is a collaborative effort organised by event management firms Global Local and Continental Drifts, known for programming stages at major festivals like Glastonbury and Wilderness. It has been developed in partnership with the Musicians' Union and the charity Attitude is Everything, which advocates for improved access in music. Artists can apply to join, and upon acceptance, the UnMute team actively represents them to secure bookings and ensure their access needs are met through detailed access riders.
The Role of Access Riders in Transforming Industry Standards
Access riders, introduced by the Musicians' Union in 2021, are documents outlining basic needs for disabled artists, such as lighting and noise controls. This contrasts with traditional riders famous for extravagant demands, like Metallica's bacon or Van Halen's no-brown-M&M policy. Lansley was inspired to create UnMute after a performance at Glastonbury in 2022, where only one engineer out of 30 venues that summer inquired about his access rider, highlighting widespread neglect.
Emma Shaw, performing as emzae, shares her experience of frequently declining gigs due to her disabilities, ME and OCD, which require two assistants and triple travel costs. She notes that venues often refuse to cover these expenses, forcing artists to minimise their needs to secure bookings. Since joining UnMute, Shaw has landed her first London gig with a record-high fee, expressing hope that this marks a shift toward standardising inclusive practices.
Impact on Artists and Future Prospects
Drag Syndrome, a drag collective of performers with Down's syndrome, had previously halted UK bookings citing funding shortages and systemic failures. However, collaboration with UnMute has reopened opportunities, with creative director Daniel Vais praising the roster for handling funding complexities. Annalie Huberman-Hertz, known as YouGo Boss, hopes the initiative will showcase the capabilities of disabled artists.
In a positive development, the Liverpool Sound City festival agreed in January to implement access riders for all performers, signalling growing industry acceptance. Lansley envisions UnMute as a catalyst for national impact, potentially establishing a touring network of accessible venues. He admits the approach is innovative, stating, "No one's tried this before, the knowledge doesn't exist, so we're kind of creating as we go along." This initiative promises to foster a more equitable music landscape where disability is no longer a barrier to artistic expression.
