Shhhh! we’re putting on quiet concerts
NewsLondon’s Wigmore Hall is trying out three ‘low stimulus’ concerts next season for people with neurodivergent issues.
The music will be fairly quiet and the lighting natural. There will be minimal announcements, along with an assurance that hand-driers in the toilets will be switched off.
The opening recital is for two classical guitars.
All fun and games…until the poor audience leaves the hall and…arrrghhh cars! Aaargh central London! Aargh noise!
And what if someone has to cough during the recital? Or worse yet, sniff (presumably not at the music being performed).
Did Wigmore conduct a focus group to determine how many people want low stimulus fare. Will they get 500 people at a performance for this alone…and what if high tolerance concert goers buy a ticket to the twin guitar concert…definitely a low volume/stimulus event…what will happen
Imagine a concert without clapping. How great that would be!
Ok. So do we add “ND” to the list of the inclusive-exclusives? Just stop it please. The lunacy is atrocious.
*Venue introduces something nice so that more people can enjoy live music, at zero expense to anyone else*
HadEnough: “Lunacy! Stop this I don’t like it >:( ”
I’d really love to know what your problem is with this initiative.
There but for the grace of god go you. Have some compassion, moron.
I am neurodivergent and enjoy going to concerts. Personally, I can usually cope with the amount of noise and activity at a ‘normal’ concert, but can also see how this might be challenging and off-putting for others. I think this is a great initiative by Wigmore Hall to make high-quality live music accessible for people who otherwise might not enjoy the overall experience surrounding the actual music. Please ignore the usual sad people on this site who, for reasons best known to themselves, feel the need to mock this. Nobody is forcing them to go to these events.
You all can absolutely fuck off. As a parent of an autistic child who cannot take my music-loving boy to live music events, these programs are wonderful and invaluable. Think before you post, for gods sake.
How can such filthy language he allowed past the moderators?
And if anything, the problem lies with your son, not the rest of the audience. I’m sure he’d be fine at rock and pop concerts.
Sure, my four year old is definitely the problem. You absolute ghoul.
Yes it definitely is. If it’s crying stick a dummy in its mouth. Otherwise have another child and fingers crossed it won’t inherit the same condition this time round.
Yes, think before you post before you start using four lettered swear words.
This press release was embargoed until Saturday: poor show. I have a copy, and while the bit about the hand-driers is hilarious (if unhygienic), I think the best joke is “The Wearing of Hearing Aids Will Not Be Permitted”.
The idea is good in theory. Neuro diversity can make ordinary life very difficult. Some retail stores have quiet hours so that autistic people can shop more comfortably as lots of background noise can cause acute anxiety.
However, having “quiet concerts” sounds exceedingly boring for most punters. Well, no one is forced to go.
That is a shockingly level comment for these pages, GR. Kudos.
Maybe an evening of John Cage would be the thing.
Hand dryers in public lavatories spread infection like wildfire. I avoid lavatories which install them. Towel drying is part of the hygiene process. Those hand dyers blow bacteria & viruses about and leave them on your hands to infect you an others eg Norovirus, E.coli & Salmonella.
This low light noise concert idea reminds me of LIDL who have a shopping day for folk suffering from Autism. No loud music, announcements and bright lights. You have to go to Tesco for that.
Has anyone composed a piece entirely made up of pauses lasting 80 mins? John Cage is only 3 mins. Silent after all is an anagram of listen.
Doc, I’m sure someone somewhere has composed a Symphony of Less than One
Turlough O’Carolan Farewell to Music would suit this idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNo-4k6knvo
I presume the guitarists will be playing Cage’s 4′ 33…
… and farting is definitely banned.
What are we going to do with the snoring?
Yes, we have them in Australia and they are very successful. I’ve played in a couple of them, together with singers. Is all about the choice of repertoire and creating an environment where all can attend performances.
Aren’t all concerts at the Wigmore Hall for the neurodiverse? Feels like it when I‘m there. go. Jolly good too.