O2 Academy Brixton to reopen with tribute acts following lethal crush | UK Information

The O2 Academy Brixton will reopen in April with a collection of tribute acts, 16 months after a lethal crush on the venue killed two individuals.

Safety guard Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, had been killed when followers with out tickets tried to pressure their manner right into a present by Nigerian Afrobeat artist Asake on December 15, 2022.

The south London venue confronted everlasting closure after the Metropolitan Police urged the council to take away its licence, however following a two-day listening to in September 2023, Lambeth Council voted to enable the venue to proceed working – offering it meets “77 in depth and strong new situations”.

It has been confirmed the primary reveals on the venue will function tribute acts moderately than well-known bands.

A press release on X stated: “O2 Academy Brixton will reopen on Friday 19 April with Nirvana UK (tribute to Nirvana) and The Smyths (tribute to The Smiths), adopted by Friday 26 April with Positively Mightbe (tribute to Oasis) and UK Meals Fighters (tribute to Foo Fighters).”

Round 1,000 individuals had been outdoors the venue on the night time of the Asake gig and police discovered “large-scale dysfunction”, with crowds finally pushing the doorways open, in keeping with Gerald Gouriet KC, who represented the Met at an earlier licensing assembly.

When the doorways had been breached, the gang poured into the foyer in the direction of the auditorium and surged over individuals who had fallen to the ground.

The corporate which owns the Brixton Academy, Academy Music Group (AMG), stated it had developed new security measures in an effort to have its licence restored, together with stronger doorways, a greater queuing system, and safer ticketing.

The venue has spent £1.2m on upkeep and enhancements in 2023, regardless of being closed, a listening to was instructed.

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Following the ruling, Brixton Academy stated it was “immensely grateful” to Lambeth Council and regarded ahead to welcoming followers again.

The Metropolitan Police additionally stated on the time that officers will work with Academy Music Group and Lambeth Council to make sure the general public can take pleasure in occasions at O2 Brixton Academy once more.