How TRNSMT Festival strives to be accessible for all

9 minute read • Last updated: 10 March 2025

Launched in 2017, TRNSMT Festival is a major music festival run by DF Concerts & Events. It’s a 3-day event held annually at Glasgow Green, with more that 50,000 people attending each day.

The event is one of the UK’s most anticipated music events, attracting international artists and thousands of music fans. Some previous acts to play the festival include Lewis Capaldi, Paolo Nutini, Queen, The Killers, and many more.

TRNSMT are the first music festival ever to have been awarded the Platinum level of Attitude is Everything’s Charter of best practice.

We spoke to Louise Hutchison, Customer Services and Accessibility Manager for DF Concerts & Events about the company's efforts to ensure the event is accessible to all.

How TRNSMT approach access and inclusion

"Accessibility at TRNSMT is not just about removing barriers - it’s about fostering a culture where every fan feels like they belong. I’ve seen first-hand how our team’s efforts have helped change perceptions and expectations around accessibility at live events."

Teamwork and Dedication

DF Concerts have a dedicated accessibility team who oversee operations at TRNSMT. “This has been integral to our success in improving inclusivity. There has always been a lead on accessibility for our events and over the years, we have built a small but highly effective team that is passionate about accessibility and works year-round to enhance the festival experience for fans with accessible needs.”

Collaboration

Louise works closely with external contractors, charities and external partners, ensuring that accessibility is embedded in every aspect of the festival’s planning and delivery from the outset.

Their suppliers, contractors, and wider festival team are crucial in making accessibility a shared responsibility. From event planning to onsite execution, working together means they have a better understanding and commitment to ensuring seamless operations.

"Collaboration is at the heart of accessibility. Engage with others in the industry who are also prioritising accessibility and work with local communities, charities, and advocacy groups to ensure accessibility measures are shaped by lived experiences."

Training

Louise prioritises staff training and awareness. Her team undertake extensive disability awareness training through Attitude is Everything, EDI consultancies, and both local and national charities.

“Specialised training ensures that our staff, volunteers, and security teams are well-equipped to support disabled attendees with confidence and understanding."

Training takes place pre-event, so staff and volunteers are fully equipped. They also offer enhanced staff training for toilet attendants, security, and stewards so all aspects of the event are covered.

Louise is committed to expanding their training programmes by working with local organisations like Gig Buddies and Forth Valley Sensory Centre. “Training with community-led groups means we’re not just implementing accessibility from a logistical perspective, but truly embedding a culture of inclusion, awareness, and empathy.”

Creating an inclusive festival experience

Accessible seating at TRNSMT Festival
© Ryan Johnston

"To enhance the festival experience, we create engaging communications to guide fans from arrival to onsite navigation. And on the day of the festival, the Accessibility Team is onsite to provide hands-on support, ensuring that every fan has the best possible experience."

Louise and her team continually expand their accessibility initiatives to create a fully inclusive and seamless festival experience.

They provide sensory spaces and sensory backpacks which provide essential support for neurodivergent fans. They’ve also built a relationship with Pamiloo’s Changing Places mobile toilet service to ensure that those with complex needs have access to dignified, fully equipped facilities.

Their Personal Assistant/Companion Ticket Policy ensures that fans who require assistance to attend the event can apply for a complimentary ticket to bring a companion.

Communication is an important part of ensuring the best experience. Louise said: “To improve accessibility communication, we have introduced BSL-signed videos, audio versions, Easy Read guides, and a comprehensive accessibility information pack sent to all accessible ticket holders, helping fans plan their experience with confidence.

“Onsite, we have introduced headsets connected to the Front of House audio feed for hearing-impaired attendees, a ground-level viewing area, and an accessible toilets wristband system to streamline access.”

They also offer warm-up tents to provide a space for those who struggle with temperature regulation, while accessible picnic benches create comfortable social spaces for wheelchair users and others who need adapted seating.

Access and inclusion policies

"The key to developing meaningful accessibility policies is to embed accessibility from the start - it should be part of your planning, culture, and decision-making, not an afterthought."

The team create an accessibility management plan for each show. This is the practical elements such as venue requirements, legal obligations and ensuring consistent, high-quality accessibility provisions.

Louise told us “Our accessibility improvement plan helps to track progress, set clear goals, and refine our approach, with key initiatives such as accessible viewing platforms, ground-level access areas, and sensory-friendly provisions, as well as improving toilet facilities and accessible communication.”

“By embedding accessibility into every aspect of our event planning and taking a fan-led approach to improvements, we continue to refine and enhance the experience, ensuring that all attendees feel welcome, supported, and able to enjoy live music without barriers.”

"We believe that Accessibility is a shared responsibility across the TRNSMT team, reflecting DF Concerts' culture of growth and continuous improvement. Leadership actively encourages innovation and inclusivity, ensuring that accessibility is not just supported but fully integrated into the festival experience."

Measuring success

Festival goers enjoy TRNSMT
© Euan Robertson

"Accessibility works best when it’s fan-led, so listening to disabled attendees, gathering feedback through post-event surveys, and implementing real changes is crucial."

Feedback

Gathering post event feedback is key. Louise said: “After the festival, I focus on tracking feedback and reviewing post-event surveys, using insights to identify areas for improvement. These surveys provide invaluable input from our attendees who use accessible services, helping us refine our approach and continue making TRNSMT a leader in festival accessibility and inclusion.”

Many fans have shared how TRNSMT has been one of the most inclusive festivals they’ve attended, with one person describing it as “by far the best-organised accessibility experience I've had at a big show”. Another highlighted how the pre-show communication and on-the-day support made them feel “like a valued customer from the very start”.

Louise said: “I feel incredibly proud of how our accessibility efforts have transformed the TRNSMT experience for disabled fans, creating an environment where everyone feels genuinely welcomed, supported, and valued.”

Seeing the impact of the team’s work reflected in real feedback from attendees has been one of the most rewarding aspects for Louise.

Repeat customers

“One of the most exciting indicators of our success has been the increase in repeat accessible customers" said Louise. "Each year, we see more and more fans returning, which tells us that people feel confident in our ability to provide a reliable, supportive, and enjoyable experience.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see familiar faces knowing that they trust us to deliver the same high level of accessibility year after year. The growth in accessibility applications also reflects this - fans are not only returning but recommending TRNSMT to others, which is one of the strongest signs that we’re doing things right.

“Our accessibility ratings continue to reflect this commitment, with some of our outdoor summer events in 2024 receiving scores of 4.6/5, showing that fans appreciate the thought and care that has gone into making festivals for everyone. However, I also know that accessibility is a journey, not a destination.”

Charter of best practice

Accessible access to viewing platform
© Ryan Johnston

The Attitude is Everything’s Live Events Access Charter is an industry standard designed to help you build disability equality into all aspects of your venue or event. TRNSMT is the first music festival ever to have achieved the Charter's Platinum award.

This recognition requires event organisers to meet strict targets across multiple areas, including accessible information, digital accessibility, staff training, recruitment, artist engagement, and onsite facilities such as toilets and viewing platforms.

Louise said: “Attitude is Everything has been instrumental in guiding us through their Live Events Access Charter. Their expertise has provided invaluable insights into best practices, ensuring that our accessibility measures continue to evolve to meet the highest standards.

“The benefits of achieving Platinum status have been significant. Fans now trust TRNSMT to deliver a high standard of accessibility. The recognition has also helped us drive further improvements, pushing us to explore new initiatives like live captioning, audio description, and enhanced d/Deaf services. Most importantly, this award reinforces our commitment to making live music accessible to all.”

Achieving Platinum status was a huge milestone for TRNSMT and reflects years of dedication to improving accessibility.

What's next?

"The team at TRNSMT are committed to expanding and improving accessibility, ensuring every fan has an inclusive festival experience. By continuing to innovate and listen to our fans, TRNSMT is working towards a more accessible and inclusive festival experience for all."

A key initiative for TRNSMT Festival is the introduction of live captioning and audio description. This enhances accessibility for deaf and vision loss attendees with real-time captions for performances and detailed audio descriptions.

Louise said: “We are also developing the Nimbus Access Card system to streamline accessibility verification. This will reduce the need for repeated frustrating applications, ensuring fans receive the right support tailored to their needs by an organisation run by disabled people for disabled people.

“And we’re always improving accessibility communication, we’re refining pre-event information, signage, and staff guidance, collaborating with the marketing team on accessible image and video descriptions.”

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