Access for All: Punk and Disability (Live at Manchester Punk Festival)

Explicit content warning

04/21/25 • 66 min

We are live at the Manchester Punk Festival!

Liam sits down with John Porter, the first-ever Accessibility Coordinator for Manchester Punk Festival, for a live conversation recorded above a pub during the festival.

They dive into what accessibility in the punk scene looks like, how punk venues and festivals can do better, and why John—an ex-standup comic and lifelong punk fan—is the right person to shake things up.

They also explore the real-life barriers disabled fans face at gigs, the importance of representation on stage, and the power of community-led change.

If you would like to provide feedback on the work that John and the MPF team are doing, you can email: [email protected]

The music played in this episode is from bands whose members have a disability.

Supermilk: Sweat
Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät : Aina Mun Pitaa
Millie Manders and the Shutup: Not Ok
Wheelchair Sports Camp: Same Shit

Thank you to ⁠⁠⁠Fidlar⁠⁠⁠ for not suing us and letting us use "Cheap Beer" as the podcast's opening track.

Follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠@punksinpubs⁠⁠⁠ across all social media and give us a⁠⁠⁠ rate and review⁠⁠⁠ while you are at it.

We are live at the Manchester Punk Festival!

Liam sits down with John Porter, the first-ever Accessibility Coordinator for Manchester Punk Festival, for a live conversation recorded above a pub during the festival.

They also explore the real-life barriers disabled fans face at gigs, the importance of representation on stage, and the power of community-led change.

If you would like to provide feedback on the work that John and the MPF team are doing, you can email: [email protected]

The music played in this episode is from bands whose members have a disability.

Supermilk: Sweat
Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät : Aina Mun Pitaa
Millie Manders and the Shutup: Not Ok
Wheelchair Sports Camp: Same Shit

Thank you to ⁠⁠⁠Fidlar⁠⁠⁠ for not suing us and letting us use "Cheap Beer" as the podcast's opening track.

Follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠@punksinpubs⁠⁠⁠ across all social media and give us a⁠⁠⁠ rate and review⁠⁠⁠ while you are at it.

Previous Episode

Monique Powell - Save Ferris

In this episode of Punks in Pubs, Liam sits down with Monique Powell, the legendary frontwoman of Save Ferris.

From growing up in Orange County’s iconic punk scene to navigating the chaos of the music industry, Monique shares her incredible journey—one filled with triumphs, setbacks, and a never-ending love for music.

She talks about:

Her time living in the UK, falling in love with Birmingham, and nearly freezing at a Crystal Palace match.
The insane drinking culture of British football fans.
What it was like being a woman in punk in the ’90s and how things have (or haven’t) changed.
The DIY grind of selling 20,000 self-released records before the major labels came knocking.
Covering Come On Eileen and whether she ever got sick of it.
Her thoughts on punk, privilege, and why you don’t mess with her when it comes to racism or sexism.

It’s a deep, hilarious, and brutally honest conversation with one of ska-punk’s most iconic voices.

Give it a listen, and if you enjoy it, share it with a mate!

Get your tix for Manchester Punk Festival

Thank you to ⁠⁠Fidlar⁠⁠ for not suing us and letting us use "Cheap Beer" as the podcast's opening track.

Follow the podcast ⁠⁠@punksinpubs⁠⁠ across all social media and give us a⁠⁠ rate and review⁠⁠ while you are at it.