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At just 26 years old, Connor, a singer-songwriter from Newcastle, has already earned a reputation for his powerful vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and unwavering passion for live music.

Connor was born with limited vision and was diagnosed at age 10 with Leber’s congenital amaurosis—a condition that causes degeneration of the optic nerve. He lost his sight completely by five months old.

Instead of letting his blindness hinder him, he has allowed it to help shape him into the intuitive and deeply musical person he is today.

Connor regularly performs at local venues and nursing homes, bringing joy to audiences with his voice and guitar. His heightened senses help him connect more deeply to rhythm and melody, making music a steady presence in his life. He credits his low vision with sharpening his musical instincts and intuition.

Connor, a passionate fan of classic rock, really loves AC/DC — especially the Brian Johnson era.

“There’s something about that screeching vocal style. It’s instantly recognisable,” Connor said.

For Connor, AC/DC is more than just a band — it’s a part of Australian culture.

Their music brings back memories of Friday nights and good times, especially when 'Back in Black' plays.

Although Connor is a regular at gigs, he won’t be at AC/DC’s upcoming concert because of his own performance commitments. Still, he mentions that even if he were free, getting tickets wouldn't have been easy.
 

A young man stands outside holding an acoustic guitar.
Connor performing in the sunshine

The Companion Card system, while useful in theory, can be stressful during busy events. Phone lines often are unreliable, and online booking sites often lack accessible features for blind and low vision users.
 

“In 2018, I bought tickets to see Cher at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. I was given early access but still had to queue for over an hour with other patrons needing accessible seating, including people in wheelchairs and those with white canes. 

“There was no option to book tickets over the phone for that concert. Surely it shouldn’t be this hard?”

Connor suggests making options more accessible across the board — from ticketing to venue support. Improving phone service, training staff, and designing online systems with screen readers in mind would make a significant difference. He also values sensory rooms at large events, providing a quiet space where attendees can rest from overwhelming noise and stimulation.

Connor, no stranger to big moments, wrote to Cher at age 11 and had the unforgettable experience of meeting her backstage in Las Vegas. He describes her as kind and down to earth, and he even got to meet her again. Connor recalls how well-trained the staff were on those occasions.

Today, Connor continues to perform, record, and release music on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. His work not only displays his talent but also demonstrates the power of persistence and the importance of inclusion in the arts.

Connor believes music isn’t just a career, it’s a way of life and like many others with low or no vision, he’s showing that access to live music should be something everyone can enjoy.