Tom Odell supports charity for deaf and disabled attending concerts

Tom Odell (pictured), a BRIT Awards and Ivor Novello Awards winner, is backing Attitude is Everything, the UK charity campaigning to make music venues accessible to deaf and disabled fans – a section of society that contributes millions in ticket sales.

His endorsement comes as The Boileroom, the music venue based in Guildford (just outside London), becomes the 100th signatory to the charity’s Charter of Best Practice.

Odell is one of several British singing acts, including Ed Sheeran, The Subways and Bastille, who have played at The Boileroom. It recently survived a threat to closure and remains at the heart of Guildford’s music community.

Odell says: “Having played The Boileroom early in my career, I know how important small venues are to the success of music in this country. I also believe that music is for everyone, and if other venues could replicate what The Boileroom has achieved, it would make a substantial difference to millions of disabled fans across the UK.”

Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice aims to encourage event promoters to do more than their legal obligations to ensure a fair and equal service to their deaf and disabled customers. Other live-music operators participating in its campaign include the Glastonbury Festival and The O2 venue.

Last year, 70,000-plus disabled people attended venues and festivals that have signed up to the charter. The charity says they generated £3.5m in ticket and concessionary sales.

According to data from the government’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport, more than 3 million deaf and disabled fans in the UK attend at least one live music event annually.

Stevie Wonder, The Cure, Anna Calvi and Chvrches are among high-profile artists who are backing the #MusicWithoutBarriers campaign launched by Attitude is Everything in June.

Juliana Koranteng]