Band on the Wall
Overview
"Band on the Wall has been a cornerstone of Manchester's thriving music and cultural landscape for the greater part of a century. Our mission is to promote equality and diversity through music and to bring leading artists from around the world to the stage – both at our award-winning Manchester venue and nationally, through touring programmes and trailblazing creative music projects."
Contact details
25 Swan Street The Northern Quarter Manchester North West M4 5JZ United Kingdom
Access guidance
- The venue is fully wheelchair accessible. There is level access to: The main venue ground floor (slight down-gradient as you enter the main door) The adjacent bar ground floor Education rooms (via lift) The stage (via bar, ground floor) Artist dressing rooms (via lift) with adjacent accessible toilet and shower room First floor offices (via lift) There is a step between the bar and the main venue ground floor; however, this can be avoided either by exiting from the bar and re-entering the main venue via the adjacent red door, or via a lobbied ramp between the two spaces. Please ask at the bar or box office for assistance.
- Blue badge holders may park with a badge and clock displayed for up to three hours on a single or double yellow line (so long as no loading restrictions are in force). The clock must be set to show the time of arrival. This applies on Swan Street where Band on the Wall is located, and in all surrounding streets.
- There are four accessible toilets, all with level access, in: The main venue; accessed from the corridor on the right, as you face the stage The bar; on the left, as you face the bar The basement, for the use of artists only, next door to the dressing rooms The corridor on the first floor, for the use of staff and users of the education facilities The entrances to all the accessible toilets are 92 cm wide and the internal dimensions are 2m x 2m. All are fitted with grab rails and electronic alarms. The internal dimensions of the accessible toilet/shower room for artists are 3.3m x 2.3m.
- Guide Dog and Assistance Dog owners have important rights under the Equality Act 2010 (EA). Details can be found at http://assistancedogs.org.uk Assistance Dogs are welcome in the venue and bar. A bowl of water can be provided.
- If you require a personal assistant to attend with you, please contact us on 0161 830 3888 or email access@bandonthewall.org Personal assistants gain free access, though one week's prior notice is preferred. We do not require any evidence to support a personal assistant request.
- On arrival please speak to a member of our box office team if you require assistance or have any questions. The box office is immediately to the left of the entrance to our bar (glass fronted building to the right of the red doors). We understand that you may wish to speak to a member of staff in confidence/out of earshot of other staff and customers about your needs or requirements. If you ask at the box office to speak to the venue manager, they will take you to a quiet place where you can discuss any needs or concerns. SEATING There are several types of seating and the layout varies considerably depending on the event. If you require more information about the seating for a particular event, please phone Band on the Wall on 0161 830 3888 (weekdays between 10:00 – 17:00) or email access@bandonthewall.org We do not offer a general seating reservation facility, but if a seat is an access requirement, please contact us in advance (ideally a minimum of one week) and we will arrange for you to have one. Alternatively, arrive early and ask to speak to the duty manager – they will help you access the venue prior to doors to find suitable seating. Even when an event is advertised as 'standing only', there still is banquette seating on both sides of the dance floor/public area in front of the stage. We do not allocate a specific area for wheelchair users; we give the option of where you wish to view the stage. However, if you require assistance to find a viewing position, please ask a member of staff and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Height of Seats The banquette (dancefloor) seating is 16 inches (40 cms) in height – seat base from floor. Other loose chairs are 18 inches (46 cms) in height – seat base from floor. On the balcony, which is not accessible by wheelchair users, the high stools are 30 inches (75 cms) in height and the low stools 18 inches (46 cms) in height. The stools are backless. CUSTOMERS WITH MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS We welcome customers who may need to bring medicines, food, or drink to manage a medical condition, or medical equipment. Please contact us on access@bandonthewall.orgor 0161 830 3888 if you have any concerns or special requirements related to the above and we will assist however possible. STROBE LIGHTING Strobe lighting is used during some performances as a visual effect. A proportion of people with photo-sensitive epilepsy may be affected by strobe lighting, and the effect may also produce undesirable sensations amongst the general population. Certain people with epilepsy and photosensitivity may suffer a seizure if exposed to flashing or strobe lighting. Please ask Band on the Wall's staff if a strobe is in use prior to entering the venue, and they will be able to inform you. We will also display signage in the bar area if strobe lighting will be used during a performance.