Deadly Crowd Crush Rocks Brixton O2 Academy
A tragic crowd crush at an Asake gig in December claimed the lives of Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23, a security guard, and 33-year-old mother-of-two Rebecca Ikumelo. A third person was left gravely injured in the chaos.
Licence Suspended but Police Want It Axed
After the disaster, Academy Music Group (AMG), who operate the Brixton O2 Academy, had their licence suspended in January for at least three months. This was conditional on AMG implementing new safety measures.
But on April 17, the Metropolitan Police dropped a bombshell. They declared they have “lost confidence” in AMG and urged Lambeth Council to strip the venue of its licence completely.
“On Monday 16 January, the licence of the Brixton O2 Academy was suspended for three months,” a police spokesperson said.
On April 14, the Met officially applied for a full review aiming to revoke the licence. The council will decide on the future of the venue after a sub-committee hearing, with a date yet to be confirmed.
AMG Fights to Keep Doors Open
In a bid to stay open, AMG submitted its own licence variation application on March 22. They say they are working closely with police and have put forward detailed proposals to ensure safety upon reopening.
However, the Met remains unconvinced. Their submission states the venue “has not identified the remedial measures” needed to operate safely again.
“The variation application has been submitted and will be heard by a Licensing Sub-Committee soon. The venue cannot hold any licensable activities until then,” Lambeth Council said.
Both the licence variation and the police’s licence review are now pending, with Lambeth Council set to weigh up the fate of the iconic venue.
Ongoing Investigations and Fallout
The cause of the crush remains under investigation. Police are probing security failings and reports of fans trying to enter without tickets. Lambeth Council is conducting a health and safety review overseen by ex-chief exec Paul Martin.
Before the tragedy, Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake was due to perform the final gig of a three-show run on December 15. Councillors have heard how large crowds outside forced staff to seal entrances, escalating the deadly crush.
If the licence is revoked, a new operator may be brought in to run the Brixton O2 Academy, a staple in London’s live music scene.
