Musician dreams to get on Glasgow stage but struggles with wheelchair

Sanjeev Mann dreams of performing hip hop on stage in the city - but so far it has been impossible as he battles from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and relies on a wheelchair.

The genetic condition gradually causes the muscles to weaken and sadly has no cure.

Now the 26-year-old Glasgow-born content creator is asking the UK Government to provide funding for venues across Britain so disabled people can access live music venues.

Sanjeev wants to perform in Glasgow (Image: Sourced)

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This would include adding chair lifts on stairs, ramps for stages, toilets, bars and viewing areas that could be accessible.

Speaking to the Glasgow Times he said: “I’m really into music, it means a lot to me. It is my dream to perform my own beats on stage.

“I can’t find anywhere in Glasgow that can let me do that because of my wheelchair which is disappointing.

“Sometimes they let me perform on the floor or other times it is just a no, or I have been told I could pay for a ramp myself.

“Disabled people are just the same as everyone else, we have ambitions too and shouldn’t be held back from them.

“I know venues are struggling right now because of the cost-of-living but I think more needs to be done to improve access so that is why I started the petition.

“I miss out on lots of artists I like because I can’t attend the shows at smaller gigs, it is really frustrating.”

Sanjeev has the backing of a Glasgow nightclub boss Donald MacLeod who would like to “improve the quality and experience for everyone.”

The 60-year-old chair of the Glasgow Night Time Industry Association signed the petition as he would consider applying for funding to make his venues more accessible if possible.

He told the Glasgow Times: “I would fully support a campaign for funding for venues to improve the quality and experience for everyone.

“Anyone should be able to go to a gig and enjoy it if they want to, the problem is setting up access for everyone can be expensive and impossible at times.

“Some of the old buildings in Glasgow just couldn’t do it, it could be a fire safety risk to install a chairlift in a narrow staircase.

“If and when it is possible though, I think it would be great to do - so if planning permission was approved I would definitely back it with funding.”

Donald gave examples of his own venues including the Cathouse rock nightclub and iconic student party place The Garage.

He suggested while it may be difficult, it is still something he would investigate and like to green light if it was safe.

He added: “It would be difficult to install a chair lift at the Cathouse due to the width of the stairwell but we do offer customers help up the stairs if they are comfortable with that.

“The Garage might be able to do it, so if there was Government funding available I would look into it.

“Right now people just aren’t going out as much which is making the night time economy struggle more.

“Lots of venues are closing across the UK because of this, so we need to protect the heritage of those still here.

“It would be great if we could improve them through when possible. I think a lot of live music places would have a strong willingness to look at grants to help disabled people gain better access.”

Although the petition is targeted at the UK Government, the Scottish Government said: “Creative Scotland share a number of resources designed to help creatives and organisations implement equalities, diversity and inclusion practices across their work.

“Tackling barriers to participation remains a priority for the culture sector in Scotland and we will continue to work hard to advance the rights and wellbeing of disabled people.”

You can sign Sanjeev’s petition here and listen to his music here.

He currently runs a platform called Hip Hop Scotland that shines a light on local artists by featuring them on his pocast and at gigs.

The Glasgow Times contacted the UK Government for comment.

The Glasgow Times contacted Creative Scotland for comment.