In the summer of 2025 we took the next step in accessibility for visually impaired audiences together with the Johan Cruijff ArenA: live audio description at stadium concerts. At two sold-out shows of Robbie Williams, blind and partially sighted fans were able to experience these stadium gigs in a completely new way. On the back of this pilot we are ready to roll the service out further during the upcoming concert summer at the Johan Cruijff ArenA — and at new event venues.
Wait — audio description at concerts?
We’ve been asked this question in a hundred different ways over the past year. Audio description helps visually impaired fans get the full concert experience. So what do we describe?
- Theatrical or comedic moments that are visual
- The look of the stage and the artist(s)
- Outfits, accessories and the lighting / video show
- Movement, gestures and facial expressions
- Atmospheric moments — a roaring crowd or an emotional gesture
If you have full sight yourself, try to imagine how much of a concert you would miss if you had to “watch” it with your eyes (almost) entirely closed. The video below gives a sense of what audio description adds:
What users say
“I didn’t have to keep asking my boyfriend about everything for once. It really felt like I had seen more of the concert.”
“For the first time after a concert, I could actually join the conversation about what was happening visually. Not just ‘he sang well’.”
Stadium-scale shows
Our aim is to let visually impaired fans experience the event the way they want to. Visitors can choose between seated and standing tickets themselves. Our commentators take them on a live audio tour of the venue beforehand, so they know exactly what the space around them looks like. This is possible because they follow the audio description through their own phone and earbuds, using the Mycrocast technology platform.
Want to bring audio description to your festival, concert or live show? Send us a message!