Azealia Banks criticises Brixton Academy's "seriously unsafe" stage

Yesterday afternoon, she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the outdated venues that she has been playing at: "I really am about to just give white tee and Jean short and timberlands cause these stages in the UK are fucking ancient with mad unsafe spaces between wood planks n' like painted over tape sticking up and im honestly tiptoeing in stilettos trying not to get wedged and hurt myself.. These outfits are cute but I need to move and bust it out one time for my mind."

More specifically, she mentioned Brixton Academy, which was recently closed over safety concerns. The venue initially had its licence suspended for three months, in January 2023, following a fatal crowd crush at Asake's December 2022 show that resulted in two deaths. Last year, a licensing sub-committee voted to allow it to reopen provided that it met 77 “extensive and robust new conditions”. The Independent reports that Brixton Academy has spent £1.2 million on maintenance and improvements in 2023. They were able to open the venue in April of this year.

Artists bring alot of money into venues it makes no sense that they are more charging crazy rental fees to boost up security for the public.... completely forgetting that an artist hurting themselves on the stage is a much bigger liability... they could put some long benches in…

— Azealia Banks (@CHEAPYXOMIAMI) September 16, 2024

"Were happy it's back open but they need to close again, replace the stage, as u can literally see right thru to the linoleum on the basement floor thru that trap door," she wrote, offering suggestions as to how to make the space safer for performers. Speaking about accessibility, and inclusivity for others, she added: "They could put some long benches in there too so ppl aren't just forced to stand the entire time... There should definitely be benches if you're serving alcohol."

Due to all of the time and money spent making the venue safer for concertgoers, Banks pointed out that there are other areas that are worth investing in, also. "I loved the shows and love the venue dgmw.... but comeon @O2AcademyBrix that stage is actually seriously unsafe," she wrote. "And I'm not even being dramatic. A dancer could really hurt themselves up there."