Noel Gallagher told why he attended some of the festival’s performances in the area for the disabled
Noel Gallagher was criticized after dismissing the experience of music fans with disabilities in comments about the Glastonbury Festival. Gallagher talked about the moments he lived at the festival in an interview with The Matt Morgan Podcast.
The ex-Oasis played the Pyramid Stage on June 25th, and after his performance, stayed at Worthy Farm to watch several sets, including a performance by Jamie T at the John Peel Stage the next day, June 26th.
Unable to get a point of view of the show, Gallagher and his friends watched the presentation of the PCD area, made especially for people with disabilities, which he said he did not initially understand the purpose of the platform.
[Nós] we couldn’t get on stage because we were drunk so I showed my pass and said “this group is with me”, and we walked to this platform – unbeknownst to us, it was the platform for the disabled.
On site, Gallagher reportedly made ableist jokes with spectators who were watching the shows, saying he would have knocked a disabled fan out of his wheelchair so his son would have a better view and even said, “Stand up you can walk. I must say that these disabled people have a great view of everything”.
In response to fan reports on Glastonbury, disability equality charity Scope criticized Gallagher on Twitter, writing: “Reports of Noel Gallagher’s behavior at Glastonbury were disturbing enough. But to hear him brag about his actions and openly mock people with disabilities in the process is beyond insulting.”
reports of @NoelGallagher‘s behavior at Glastonbury were upsetting enough.
But to hear him boast about his actions, and openly mock disabled people in the process, is beyond insulting. 1/5 🧵https://t.co/LXUjQmEFtS
— Scope (@scope) July 4, 2022
They added: “Noel may belittle the experience of music fans with disabilities. But for many, the reality of watching live music and festivals can be stressful and upsetting.”
Accessible platforms at events are not for privileged rock stars and their friends. They exist so that people with disabilities can enjoy live music with fewer barriers.
❌ Accessible platforms at events aren’t for privileged rock stars and their friends.
🎸 They exist so that disabled people can enjoy live music with fewer barriers.
— Scope (@scope) July 4, 2022
Source: Rollingstone
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
