点评:We have attended multiple gigs at the O2 Academy Glasgow and, genuinely, we have never had a poor experience here.
We use accessible tickets and the whole process has always been very well organised.
On arrival we are usually greeted at the front door by Ronald, who deserves a special mention. He is always extremely understanding, courteous and kind. Even if you have attended the venue many times before, he still takes the time to explain how everything will work that evening and immediately puts you at ease.
Depending on your accessibility requirements, guests are separated into different queues. Wheelchair users are provided with step-free access, while ambulant disabled guests normally enter through the main doors a few minutes ahead of the general queue. We have always found this calm and well managed.
The accessibility booking team are also excellent. We normally purchase one standard ticket online, usually through Ticketmaster, and then email the venue's accessibility team with the order details and concert information.
The first time we used the service we completed an accessibility form and supplied supporting evidence. After that, our details were kept on their system, making future bookings much easier. A complimentary PA/carer ticket is also available for eligible guests, which makes attending considerably more affordable for anyone who requires support.
Email responses have generally been within around 48 hours in our experience.
Accessible viewing
I can't comment on the upper level as we have never used it, but downstairs there are accessible seating areas within the standing section on raised platforms facing the stage.
Seating is provided on small bench-style seats without backs. They aren't luxurious, but we have always found them comfortable enough for a concert.
At sold-out gigs these areas can become busy, and occasionally other concertgoers will sit on the accessible seating or stand directly in front of the viewing area.
Whenever this has happened, a quick word with security has sorted it immediately. Staff have always been happy to ask people to move or to keep the accessible seats available for those who need them.
Toilets
An accessible toilet is available towards the rear of the venue. Getting through the crowd to reach it can sometimes be difficult during a busy gig, although realistically this is an issue you will encounter at many standing music venues.
The accessible toilet uses a RADAR key, but staff can open it if you don't have one.
My only real criticism of the venue is the general toilets at the rear. They are quite small, with only a couple of cubicles, so queues can build up during busy shows.
The venue itself
The Academy is always clean when we visit and the sound has consistently been excellent.
We have seen a wide variety of bands and artists here and have always had a great evening. It has that proper gig atmosphere while still feeling well organised.
Ticket prices obviously depend on the artist, but we have generally found concerts here reasonably priced compared with some larger venues.
Most shows we have attended have had doors around 6pm or 7pm, with gigs normally finishing somewhere around 10:30pm to 11pm depending on the night.
Parking and getting there
We normally park at the nearby subway station, which has been very convenient for us. On our visits it has been around £10 for the day and has included a subway journey, which means you can arrive early, head into central Glasgow for something to eat and then return for the concert.
There isn't a huge amount immediately surrounding the Academy itself, although there is a retail park only a short drive away with places such as Greggs and Burger King, which can be handy before a show.
Overall
For us, this is an easy 5 out of 5.
The venue is clean, the sound is great, security are helpful and the accessibility arrangements are some of the best we have experienced at a concert venue.
What really makes the difference, though, is the staff.
When you attend concerts with additional accessibility needs, having staff who understand what you require and treat you with patience and respect can completely change the experience.
The O2 Academy Glasgow consistently gets that right.
We have been here many times, we will absolutely be back again, and it remains one of our favourite venues for live music.
翻译:我们曾在格拉斯哥O2音乐厅观看过多次演出,说实话,我们在这里从未有过糟糕的体验。
我们购买的是无障碍门票,整个购票流程也一直安排得井然有序。
抵达后,通常会有罗纳德在前门迎接我们,他值得我们特别称赞。他总是极其善解人意、彬彬有礼且心地善良。即便你以前多次光临过这个场馆也依然如此。他仍会花时间解释当晚的运作流程,能立刻让人安心。
根据宾客的无障碍需求,他们会被分配到不同的排队队伍中。使用轮椅的宾客可享受无台阶通道,而行动不便的残障宾客通常会在普通排队队伍前进几分钟后从主入口进入。我们一直觉得这种安排既有序又妥善。
无障碍预订团队 likewise也非常出色。我们通常会在网上购买一张标准票,一般通过Ticketmaster购买,随后将订单详情及音乐会信息通过电子邮件发送给场馆的无障碍服务团队。
首次使用该服务时,我们填写了无障碍申请表并提供了相关证明材料。此后,我们的信息便被保存在他们的系统中,使得后续的订票过程变得简单许多。符合条件的宾客还可以免费获得一张陪同人员/看护人票。这使得任何需要帮助的人都能以更实惠的价格参加活动。
以我们的经验来看,邮件回复通常在48小时左右就能收到。
无障碍观演
关于上层区域我们无法评价,因为我们从未使用过;不过楼下区域设有无障碍座椅区,位于面向舞台的抬高平台上,属于站立区的一部分。
那里提供的小型长椅式座椅没有靠背。虽然称不上舒适豪华,不过我们一直觉得这些座位对于观看音乐会来说足够舒适。
在门票售罄的演出中,这些区域可能会变得很拥挤,偶尔也会有其他观众坐在无障碍座位上,或者站在观演区正前方。
每当这种情况发生,只要跟保安简单说明一下就能立刻得到解决。工作人员总是很乐意要求他人挪开,以确保这些无障碍座位能留给有需要的人。洗手间
场馆后方设有一间无障碍洗手间。在演出高峰期,要穿过人群到达那里有时会比较困难;不过实际上,这在很多允许站着的音乐场馆中都是常见的问题。
使用该无障碍洗手间需要RADAR钥匙,但如果您没有钥匙,工作人员也可以为您开门。
我对这个场馆唯一真正不满意的地方就是后方的普通洗手间。它们相当狭小,只有几个隔间而已。因此,在演出高峰期容易出现排队现象。
场馆本身
我们每次去的时候,剧院都十分整洁,音响效果也一直都很出色。
我们在这里看过各式各样的乐队和艺人表演,每次都能度过一个愉快的夜晚。这里既有那种典型的演唱会氛围,又井然有序。
票价自然因艺人而异,但总体来说,与一些大型场馆相比,这里的演出票价还算合理。我们去过的大多数演出,开场时间都在晚上6点左右或7点,演出通常会在晚上10点半到11点之间结束,具体时间视当晚情况而定。
停车与交通方式
我们通常把车停在附近的地铁站,这对我们来说非常方便。每次停车的费用大约为10英镑,这个价格还包含了一次地铁行程的费用。这样一来,我们就可以提前到达,去格拉斯哥市中心吃点东西,然后再返回现场观看演出。学院周围并没有太多设施,不过开车不远处有一个购物中心,里面有Greggs和汉堡王等店铺,这对于观演前购买食物来说非常方便。
总体评价
对我们而言,这里绝对能得满分5分。
场地干净整洁,音响效果出色,安保人员也很热心助人,无障碍设施更是我们在各类演出场所中见过最好的。
不过,真正让这里与众不同的是这里的工作人员。当您带着特殊无障碍需求去观看音乐会时,如果能有工作人员理解您的需求,并以耐心与尊重来对待您,那将彻底改善您的观演体验。
O2 Academy Glasgow始终能做到这一点。
我们曾多次光顾此地,以后也一定会再来,它依然是我们最喜欢的现场音乐演出场地之一。