Article Summary
Auslan interpreters are transforming live music experiences for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing across Australia. Greater accessibility at concerts and festivals is creating meaningful inclusion, connection and shared joy.Everyone deserves the chance to take part in community life — including the joy, connection and shared energy of live music. For many people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, concerts and festivals have long been difficult to access. Across Australia, that experience is changing as more Auslan interpreters at concerts and events help make live performances genuinely inclusive.
A Changing Experience
For many Deaf Australians, live music has rarely gone together. Some people who are Deaf or hard of hearing have lived their lives without fully experiencing music concerts or festivals. That is changing thanks to an increase in Auslan interpreters now attending live music events across the country.
For a long time, people with hearing impairment felt anything but “lucky, lucky, lucky” when showing up to a Kylie Minogue concert. With no interpreter in sight and without the ability to lip-read, performers like Australia’s favourite pop princess held little appeal for profoundly deaf Australians who were forced to miss out on the full live music experience.
A New Era of Accessibility
Today, more performances feature interpreters who do more than translate lyrics. Auslan interpretation helps create a real connection to the meaning, emotion, and energy of a performance — supporting inclusion for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and making live music events more accessible in Australia.
Cheryl Wilhelm’s Story
Speaking to ABC News, Cheryl Wilhelm — who has faced hearing challenges most of her life — shared how concerts once felt out of reach.
“As a teenager, I was just growing up and dancing. Did I really understand the music? Not really.”
With improved accessibility at events such as the Adelaide Fringe Festival, WOMADelaide, and performances with Kylie Minogue and Josh Pyke, Cheryl is now much more inclined to enjoy live concerts.
“You can feel the excitement building as you go in… and that’s really good, and then once you get in and you sit down, it’s just really nice to be included. I think that’s the main thing.”
The Art of Interpretation
Fellow concertgoer Debra Swan described Auslan interpretation as more than translation — it’s about capturing the music's feeling so people can connect with the vibe and the moment.
“I remember one time they gave me a paper with the words on it, and I thought, ‘I’m supposed to read that?’ But there’s no connection in just the words — the vibe — there’s nothing there. There’s no emotion, no feeling through just words. You need to see that visually.”
“We want access to be able to get that vibe and to get the environment and the feeling around it. That’s what’s really important.”
The Work of an Auslan Interpreter
Auslan interpreter Claire Morrison began learning the language two decades ago and takes her duties extremely seriously. She prepares intensively for each performance — soon even joining Metallica on stage.
“It’s listening to the music over and over and over. Researching what the lyrics might mean, thinking about what they mean, embodying the feeling of the song, and then… using all of that to put together an appropriate interpretation.”
“It’s also thinking about pictures in your mind. Perhaps making a movie in your mind of the story that’s being told and having that in your head while you’re trying to express that through your body.”
Interpreting also brings her great joy.
“It’s a very joyous thing to do because everyone is happy and you’re providing access to Deaf people who you see their faces light up and the connections they make.”
Stay Connected with What You Love
At Just Better Care, our Support Workers take the time to learn what matters to you and support your independence — including helping you get to concerts, festivals, and other social and community events.
If you’re looking for disability support services that can help you stay active and connected, we’re here to help. We can also support goals related to NDIS social and community participation, including planning and transport to events, as well as in-home support services when you need assistance at home.
Contact your local Just Better Care office to discuss your goals and find out how we can support your community participation — whether you’re self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed under the NDIS.
Ready to get out and about with the right support?
We can help you access disability support that aligns with your goals — including social outings and community participation under the NDIS, as well as practical support at home when you need it.
Get started
