Around May 2022, the seven-time Grammy Award-winning British rock-band Coldplay announced they'd be making all of their concerts accessible to Deaf and Hard-of-hearing (D/HOH) supporters. To accomplish this, they planned to use sign language interpreters at each show, along with SUBPACS given out at no cost to D/HOH attendees. SUBPACs are wearable vests which include a sound system and speakers. The technology allow users to feel the bass when music are played by transferring vibrations on their body.
The group members of Coldplay care deeply with regards to their supporters and will go all-out to ensure that their live concerts are pleasurable for every individual. Chris Martin, lead vocalist, pianist, rhythm guitarist, and co-founder of the band, stated on Instagram that they hope the interpreters and SUBPACs will heighten the concert experience for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing population.
In addition to a video clip of concertgoers enjoying the band’s music while wearing SUBPACs, Martin wrote, “We want our live shows to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. For our Deaf and Hard-of-hearing guests, we’re proud to provide SUBPACs, in addition to two sign language interpreters at every show.”
He also mentioned that if D/HOH fans desired to attend a show featuring the interpreters and SUBPACs, they could email access@coldplay.com. The fans could additionally provide ideas for making the band’s live shows more accessible and fun.
Sign language Interpreters Bring a Whole New Dimension to Coldplay’s Music
A sign language interpreter is a person who can effectively, precisely, and impartially translate verbal language directly into sign language after developing proficiency and expertise by way of sign language classes.
In the case of concerts like Coldplay’s, sign language interpreters proficiently bring the songs to life for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing crowd. The interpreters make use of their entire body to show the emotion and feel of the music. Attending a concert event in which an interpreter is present additionally provides D/HOH people access to the words of the song. Which means that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can better enjoy the music aesthetically and comprehend its meaning. As one concertgoer said, “We can see it. Plus we’re provided the words through the interpreter. So overall, it’s just a different way of viewing and experiencing the music. But we still can enjoy it.”
The live performance video features footage of a remarkably enthusiastic sign language interpreter signing alongside to the band’s famous track “Fix You” at a gig in Scotland. The particular interpreter also grooves around enthusiastically to the song’s guitar solo. This action gave the D/HOH viewers an additional taste on the solo’s high-powered quality along with the song’s overall level of intensity.
The Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Community Values Coldplay’s Efforts
Longstanding Coldplay fan Mike Rivera, who's hard-of-hearing, applauds the band’s initiatives to make their concert events more inclusive and accessible. “All of the accessibility for the community is very exciting,” he states. “Coldplay means a lot to us.”
Rivera’s daughter Kayley agreed, saying, “It’s crazy to be able to enjoy something like this with my dad on the same level my friends can with their dads. And the fact that Coldplay’s spearheading this is just a huge step in the right direction, and that makes me really excited for the future.”
Utilizing Sign Language Interpreters at Concerts is Extremely Important
Many videos demonstrating the exceptional expertise of sign language interpreters performing at live shows have recently gone viral. The interpreters’ expertise for visualizing music is providing individuals in the D/HOH community the ability to enjoy live music of all varieties. Not only are sign language interpreters providing an invaluable assistance, they’re at the same time sending a message and getting recognized for their performances at rap, pop, heavy metal, and classical music concerts.
Numerous interpreters organize a show by learning about the artist or group whose songs they’ll interpret to be aware of their background better. This way their interpretations can address the full feeling and meaning regarding the words of the song.
Sign Language Interpreters are Changing the Lives of Concertgoers
In connection with the powerful influence of sign language interpreters at live shows, American Sign Language interpreter Amber Galloway Gallego says, “My favorite experience is when Deaf people have told me that this was their first time ever truly experiencing music and [they] now have a better understanding of what each instrument sounds like. When I see Deaf and Hard-of hearing-patrons signing the instruments with me, it gives me chills every time.”