O2 Academy Brixton's licence temporarily suspended after fatal concert crush

Last week Asake's final O2 Academy Brixton show was cut short after fans forced their way into the venue. 23-year-old Gabrielle Hutchinson, who was working as a security contractor at the concert, died in hospital earlier this week, marking the second death after the O2 Academy Brixton incident following 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo. Another person remains in hospital in a critical condition.

The Metropolitan Police then applied to have the venue's premises licence reviewed, and after Lambeth councillors met earlier today, they decided to suspend the venue's licence until 16 January 2023.

BBC notes that the council meeting also saw Met Police recall a similar crush during a Naira Marley concert in February 2020, and concerns over the strength of the venue doors were raised then.

Stephen Walsh KC, representing the Academy Music Group, told councillors at the meeting: "It is clearly far too early, as the police have accepted, to draw any conclusions about the causes of the tragedy, let alone to point the finger of blame at any party or parties.

"The O2 Academy Brixton recognises the gravity of the events which occurred on the night of 15 December, and expresses its sincere condolences to the families of those who died during the tragic incident, and its genuine concerns for anyone affected by it.

"The licence holder, Academy Music Group Limited, is committed to ensuring that vital lessons are learned through its own detailed internal investigation."

The suspended licence has resulted in one show being postponed and another cancelled on New Year's Eve. Another five shows between now and 16 January will also be postponed.