Brixton Academy to open after 16 months with its first shows from Nirvana and Oasis tribute acts

On 15 December 2022, fans without tickets tried to force their way into a performance by Nigerian artist Asake. Following the deaths of Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, the Met Police had placed the venue under threat of permanent closure due to safety concerns. Many petitions followed, both from musicians and concertgoers, and 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.

Today, the venue have announced that they will be reopening on 19 April with the first performance to be the tribute acts Nirvana UK and The Smyths. Following this, on 26 April, Definitely Mightbe (a tribute act to Oasis) and UK Food Fighters will be the next acts to perform at the venue.

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In a statement, Brixton Academy's owners AMG said: “We continue to be devastated by the events of last December. Our heartfelt condolences remain with the family and friends of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson. What happened was and is a tragedy and we are committed to ensuring that it can never be repeated.” They continued: “Over the past nine months, the venue’s importance to the local community and the live music scene in the UK has been made clear. Academy Music Group is determined to learn all appropriate lessons from the night of December 15 2022.