Ayrshire hip-hop artist leading calls for disabled access funding in UK venues
Sanjeev Mann aka Supermann says a Glasgow venue prevented him from being able to perform on stage last year.
Last updated 9th Jan 2023
A Scottish hip-hop artist is leading calls for funding to improve disabled access at music venues.
Producer, DJ and content creator Sanjeev Mann – also known as Supermann – has launched a petition to urge the UK Government to provide funding to music venues after a string of incidents at Glasgow gigs last year.
The 26-year-old from Ayrshire has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a condition which causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact.
Sanjeev has to use a wheelchair, and he’s found that through no fault of his own it has limited his ability to perform on stages across Glasgow due to a simple lack of access.
He told Clyde 1: “My experience hasn’t been great. Music is supposed to be equal for everyone, and there shouldn’t be these barriers.
“It’s quite ridiculous that we live in an age where people fight for equality, but a lot of disabled people can’t get into small venues and disabled artists can’t get on stage. I don’t think anyone realises the impact it has.
“Growing up I didn’t have a lot of people I could look up to that were disabled, and I think that’s why the next generation might not believe that they can do it. I would like to make an impact and help disabled people believe they can.
“The current legislation states that venues need to make ‘reasonable requirements’.
“Although sometimes it’s the venue’s fault for not looking into it, but I understand it costs a lot of money and I understand after lockdown they’re struggling as it is.
“On one hand it’s the venues responsibility, but that’s why I’m asking the government to provide funding.”
The Ayrshire artist needs 10,000 signatures on the petition for the UK Government to respond, and 100,000 for the petition to be considered for debate in Westminster.
“I felt like I was being punished and held back for my disability."
Sanjeev has encountered multiple incidents where he was unable to get on stage due to a lack of access, but he is also calling on disabled access to toilets, bars and viewing areas for visitors.
He’s been telling Clyde 1 about one experience that left him feeling embarrassed and unfairly treated.
He said: “I was doing a DJ set supporting my friend at Audio in Glasgow, and we told them a good 2-3 months beforehand that we would need ramp access for the stage.
“We got to the venue on the day, and they said, ‘we don’t have a ramp’ so I had to do my set off the stage.
“Then the next time we went back we tried to get it sorted, but they refused to pay for the cost of the ramp which was very annoying.
“I felt like I was being punished and held back for my disability. I wasn’t able to perform and show people the best of what I can do.”
Sanjeev also added that the lack of inequality for disabled performers and visitors to venues has made him realise how it’s restricting people of similar circumstances from getting involved in music.
However, he said that some venues who don’t have access have acted swiftly to allow him to perform.
He said: “Every artist starts their careers in small venues, so if you’re stopping disabled people from being able to do that, it’s wrong.
“There’s a reason you can’t name 5 disabled musicians off the top of your head, and I think it all comes down to these reasons.
“I have had good experiences though. Nice n Sleazy don’t have access to their venue downstairs, but at the hip-hop Scotland night, they have gone out their way to help and engaged in conversation, made it work and I played the bar area instead.
“Sometimes it’s just trying to think of a way around and change attitudes.”
Audio Glasgow have been contacted for comment.