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At 33 years old, Daniel is a familiar face in Sydney’s vibrant punk and metal scene. His love for heavy music is evident as he listens to bands like Rammstein and Cannibal Corpse. He often checks out gigs around the city, weaving through crowded venues and chaotic mosh pits, all while living with low vision. 

Daniel lives with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that causes gradual vision loss, especially in low-light settings. This makes dimly lit concert venues particularly tough for him. Despite these challenges, his passion for music keeps him attending gigs each month.

Live gigs challenge Daniel with more than just environmental hurdles. Event staff often misunderstand his vision condition, leading to awkward encounters where they mistake him for being intoxicated or simply don’t believe him.

“I’m usually stopped by staff at concerts for holding onto a friend’s shoulder. When I disclose my vision, I’m often accused of being intoxicated. I always stay calm and reiterate that I’m sober,” Daniel said.

“I see where security are coming from. They are just doing their job, and don’t have much exposure to people with low vision in these environments. But it can still be quite exhausting for me,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Daniel finds a sense of community and camaraderie in the punk and metal scenes.

“At a metal and punk show, we're all on the same level. Whether you're sighted or not. If you fall in the mosh pit, someone will help you up. I’ve been to shows where bands stop their set to ensure the crowd doesn't trample over someone who’s fallen.

“These events are a brilliant way to meet people. I've built long-lasting friendships at gigs with folks I usually wouldn’t have crossed paths with elsewhere. There’s a special bond that brings people together through music, and at its heart, it’s an inclusive experience.”

To make concerts more accessible for people like Daniel, he recommends a few practical solutions.

“Audio description would be a great initiative to explain non-verbal cues to the audience. 

“Promoters should also allocate more funding for accessible training for staff. Maybe encouraging staff to ask patrons if they need help as a friendly ice breaker.

“Improving the lighting before shows will help with seating arrangements.”

Ultimately, Daniel perceives music as more than just entertainment, he considers it the soundtrack to life and is a reminder that that making the arts accessible isn’t merely about compliance; it ensures everyone can share in experiences that unite us.