Sisters Slam Concert Promoter

Lisa and Sara Kelly from Newtownabbey are familiar with the band and its songs but wanted the signer to relay what the band members say between songs. Speaking on the Stephen Nolan show on Radio Ulster May 18, the sisters said they were outraged that Aiken Promotions couldn’t “accede to your request.” They originally approached the city’s Odyssey Arena, where the show’s taking place and which had initially refused the request before passing it on to the promoter. The sisters then received a letter from Aiken Promotions that said: “It is our considered view that the provision of a signing facility is not appropriate for this kind of performance.

“There is no possibility of the signer being placed on the stage, and any other location would detract from the usual impact of the performance. “We do not believe that your suggestion of a signer positioned at another point can allow you and others to experience both the usual performance of the act and the interpretation by the signer. “Our information is that even if the set list and lyrics can be provided there is limited prospect of this ‘ad-libbing’ of the act to be adequately reflected.”

Aiken said it would be happy to present the girls with a set list and the song lyrics provided that was approved by the band’s management. Both Sara and Lisa said concerts in America manage to provide signers and added that they will also be attending the One Direction concert in Cardiff and that arena had been able to accommodate them, even though they had to change from standing to seated tickets.

The show also heard from Action Deaf Youth who said Aiken Promotions has provided tickets for members of the Action Deaf Youth community over the years.