Petition launched to save Brixton Academy

nme.com:

Asake gig last year. Taking place on December 15, 2022, a crush was caused by people outside the venue, who forced their way into the show — leading to overcrowding and the gig being cancelled halfway through.Two attendees, Rebecca Ikumelo, aged 33 and Gaby Hutchinson, 23 died in the following days.

Additionally, a third ticket holder, aged 21, remains in hospital in a critical condition.The event led to the Brixton Academy having its licence temporarily suspended and, most recently, a debate on whether it should be made to close for good.

This started after the Metropolitan Police confirmed they had “lost confidence” and were pushing Lambeth council to revoke the licence fully.Following the speculation, a petition has been launched online, calling for music lovers to insist that the venue remains open.Emerging just two days ago (April 26), the petition has already gathered over 9,900 signatures.

The platform hosting the petition, Change.Org, states that when it reaches 10,000 signatures, it is more likely to be recognised by a “decision maker”.“Brixton Academy is an iconic London music venue and should this cease to be so, another part of the musical landscape and history is lost forever,” writes the petition’s founder in the description. “I personally have been to hundreds of gigs in my lifetime, many of them here and I have never once felt like safety was an issue!