Meet The Team: Dave Powell
Hi, I’m Dave Powell, and I’m the Strategy & Ticketing Advisory Board Member at Different Breed.
What’s your role at Different Breed, and how does it make live events more inclusive?
Advisory Board Member, Strategy & Ticketing. I first met Craig when he was developing an inclusive Ticketing System that enabled disabled fans to book tickets for events online just like everyone else. Since then, I have also supported him with the development and launch of ‘Fan Guides’.
What part of Craig’s vision speaks to you?
I admire everything Craig is doing. As I am now semi-retired, it gives my mind something to think about. He knows I am there whenever to catch up and run things past me. I really enjoy my role as part of Different Breed.
If every venue did one thing tomorrow to improve access, what would it be?
Provide clear and concise information that is easy to find, make adjustments and become totally inclusive! I don’t believe it’s that difficult for most venues.
The part of Different Breed makes you most proud?
I think the integration with ‘Access Card’ in Different Breed Fan Guides is great, as it saves fans from having to re-enter information multiple times.
Favourite gig and why it was unforgettable?
This is difficult to answer. I’ve been going to gigs since I was about 15. We also had a club in our village, I’d have been about 19 or 20, and I saw The Pogues and The Housemartins there one night, before both bands became famous. I also worked for a band in the late 80s called Macavity’s Cat and even tried to play Penny Whistle with them live on stage one New Year's Eve at the Milky Way in Amsterdam. (see photo, that’s me on the left)
That’s me on the left!
I worked at the Royal Albert Hall for almost 11 years and saw loads of gigs there, including Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra. How long have you got for me to talk about music and gigs?
What’s an accessibility innovation that’s really impressed you?
I don’t go to many events these days. I guess I overdid it with going to and working on so many events for over 45 years, but I’m super impressed with ‘Give Vision’ since seeing Scarlet’s post about it and also when I saw Claire Sisk’s videos on social media of what Coldplay did at their recent Wembley Concerts.
Dream show and venue?
I’d have liked to have seen someone play the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, perhaps Johnny Cash or Dolly Parton. When I went to America a few years ago, I had a tour of the venue, but it was daytime with no gig that night. But I do have a photo of my wife and me holding instruments on the stage that I cherish.
Life outside live events
I take it easy these days. I still listen to a lot of music, and I enjoy spending time gardening.
Lightning round
Big gig or small venue? - Small venue these days that is not too busy, that suits me now.
Access pet peeve - I still find it hard to believe anyone needing accessibility information or tickets sometimes must call a telephone number. I remember it being like that 35 years ago!
Top tip for first-time attendees: Suss out where you are going and familiarise yourself beforehand.