04 March 2024 , 10:25
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The O2 Academy Brixton will reopen in April, 16 months after a deadly crush at the venue.
Security guard Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, were killed when fans without tickets tried to force their way into a show by Nigerian artist Asake on December 15 2022.
The venue faced permanent closure after the Metropolitan Police urged the council to remove its licence but following a two-day hearing in September 2023, Lambeth Council's licensing sub-committee voted to allow the venue to continue operating so long as it meets "77 extensive and robust new conditions".
It has now been confirmed the first shows at the venue will feature tribute acts, rather than famous bands.
Gaby Hutchinson, 23, (left) died in hospital in the early hours of December 19 after working as a security guard at the gig held at the O2 Academy in Brixton (Facebook)
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, also died following the crowd crush (PA)A statement on X said: "O2 Academy Brixton will reopen on Friday 19 April with Nirvana UK (tribute to Nirvana) and The Smyths (tribute to The Smiths), followed by Friday 26 April with Definitely Mightbe (tribute to Oasis) and UK Food Fighters (tribute to Foo Fighters)."
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About 1,000 people were outside the venue and police found "large-scale disorder" with crowds eventually pushing the doors open, according to Gerald Gouriet KC, who represented the Met at an earlier licensing meeting.
Asake was performing at the London venue as part of his 2022 tour (Getty Images)The company which owns the Brixton Academy, Academy Music Group (AMG), said it had developed new safety measures in an effort to have its licence restored, including stronger doors, a better queuing system and more secure ticketing.
AMG said changes to its operating policies had been developed by "leading professionals" to prevent a repeat of last year's events.
The venue has spent £1.2 million on maintenance and improvements in 2023, despite being closed, a hearing was told.