UnMute Debuts as UK’s First Roster for Disabled Artists

Global Local, a project managed by Continental Drifts Music supporting diverse emerging artists, has launched UnMute, the UK’s first roster dedicated to disabled artists.

Backstory:

• The roster has been in development for more than two years.

• It’s been supported by industry expert Andrew Lansley, Creative Director for UnMute, with input from The Musicians’ Union, Attitude is Everything, and Drake Music.

• The initiative seeks to secure professional performance opportunities for disabled artists.

The roster:

• Artists include Drag Syndrome, the acclaimed drag collective for kings and queens with Down Syndrome, and Deaf Rave, a collective of D/deaf and Hard of Hearing musicians, DJs, MCs, VJs, rappers, sign singers, dancers and creatives.

• Also included are Ali Affleck, DJ Flood, DJ The Chairman Joss, Emzae, Gypskazz, John Kelly, Kray-z-Legz, Revenge of Calculon, Rightkeysonly, and Tarantism.

Bookings:

• To date, UnMute has booked artists at Shambala, The Great Escape and St George’s Day at Trafalgar Square, with Andrew Lansley stating it is in conversation with “half a dozen top UK festivals.”

• UnMute will use the Musicians Union Access Rider template and guidance as the main framework to discuss and agree reasonable adjustments for performances.

What they said:

• Alex Covell, Interim Head of Live Events Access at Attitude is Everything: “I think this is a vital moment in time. This will set sail more opportunities for disabled artists. Enabling promoters, programmers, festivals and venues to be reassured that booking disabled artists is more straightforward and is possible. It also means that artists are also getting platformed, in ways they really should be: as amazing, professional, dynamic, diverse, wonderful musicians and music makers. It’s fantastic to see.”