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https://www.positive.news/society/bringing-the-thrill-of-live-music-to-deaf-audiences-with-the-help-of-air-guitar/>
"Helicopters buzz overhead as anticipation builds in the crowd. Tens of
thousands of Oasis diehards have descended on Cardiff’s Principality Stadium
for a celebration they never thought possible, and Luke Holdsworth is right in
the thick of it – but not as a lucky ticket-holder. Interpreting the spectacle
in sign language, he’s bringing deaf fans into the heart of the experience,
conveying the music, the vibe, even the Gallaghers’ trademark swagger.
“You get caught up in the atmosphere – it’s electric,” Holdsworth tells
Positive News. “It was an incredible privilege to be part of history while at
the same time providing access for deaf people, helping them enjoy the shows.”
Born profoundly deaf and raised by deaf parents, Holdsworth’s first language
was British Sign Language (BSL), which uses hand shapes, gestures, facial
expressions and body movements instead of spoken words. The language has its
own unique grammar, vocabulary and sentence structures. For Holdsworth, 36, it
was everyday life. Like many in the deaf community, he was given his own sign
language name – ‘Shy’ – reflecting his timidity.
Sign language interpreters are becoming a common sight at gigs and festivals,
but Holdsworth saw one for the first time just seven years ago. Watching Tracey
Tyer – something of a legend in the close-knit world of performance
interpretation – sign alongside dance legends Underworld at Latitude Festival,
Holdsworth was blown away.
“I was like: ‘Damn!’” he remembers. “She embodied the music from the second it
started and smashed it out of the park. Me and my friends were in awe. Years
later, we still talk about it.”
Another standout moment came seeing Madonna at London’s O2 with full BSL
access. “As a deaf person, you always have to explain, or ask for access, or
have a defence ready,” he says. “I don’t like the word ‘normal’ but this was
one time when I felt like I was just a young guy who saw Madonna. I had what my
hearing friends had – an easy night out.”
Holdsworth was inspired to complete an interpreting course and, in 2023, found
himself front and centre at London’s Pride celebrations, signing in Trafalgar
Square and working alongside, of all people, Tracey Tyer. Since then, he has
signed for Lewis Capaldi, Paloma Faith and Disclosure. In 2024, the call came
to cover 14 dates on Oasis’ reunion tour."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
