Key facts
- Black and South Asian music events in London face disproportionate cancellations and licensing barriers.
- These barriers cost London an estimated £127m to £141m annually, with projected losses over £650m in five years.
- Genres like Afrobeats, drill, and dancehall are often labeled "high risk" without sufficient evidence.
- Promoters report cancellations based on undisclosed information, online searches, or unrelated incidents.
- The report calls for more transparent, evidence-based licensing decisions and stronger accountability.
Black and South Asian music events in London are facing significant barriers, including disproportionate cancellations and licensing restrictions, which cost the city an estimated £127 million to £141 million annually, according to a two-year investigation. The Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) report, led by Black Lives in Music, found that genres such as Afrobeats, drill, and dancehall are frequently labeled "high risk" without credible evidence, unlike events for indie, pop, and rock music.
The research highlighted concerns over the use of unverified police intelligence, with promoters reporting event cancellations based on undisclosed information or unrelated incidents. Hakeem Stevens, the report's lead researcher, noted that such scrutiny has become harder to document compared to when the Metropolitan Police's controversial Form 696 was in use. This form, introduced in 2005 and scrapped in 2017, was criticized for discriminating against Black music events.
Charisse Beaumont, chief executive of Black Lives in Music, emphasized that the issues are not confined to London but are prevalent nationwide. She stated that the discrimination is fundamentally about race. The study also found that Black-owned venues face prolonged closures after incidents, while white-owned venues often receive support to reopen more quickly. Venue owners suggested that the additional scrutiny discourages them from hosting certain events, leading them to opt for safer, more commercially viable music choices.
The report proposes 19 recommendations, including calls for more transparent licensing decisions, an independent review, clearer evidence standards, and enhanced accountability. Beaumont expressed that success would mean artists from all backgrounds can perform without barriers, enabling them to progress in their careers. Met police commander Neerav Patel stated the force would carefully consider the findings, emphasizing a commitment to fair, evidence-based contributions to the licensing process while prioritizing public safety.