London Venue Where 2 Died After Music Concert Crush to Have Licence Reviewed
Lambeth Council’s licensing committee is meeting on Thursday to deal with the Metropolitan Police’s request for a summary review of the Brixton O2 Academy’s premises licence after two people died of injuries sustained in a crush at a concert there last week.
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died on Saturday and Gaby Hutchinson, 23, passed away on Monday after being taken to hospital following the incident at a gig by Nigerian Afrobeats singer Asake on Dec. 15, 2022.
Thousands of ticketless fans forced their way into the foyer of the venue moments after Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, began his performance.
Ikumelo, a 33-year-old mother-of-two, is understood to have gone to the concert along with some friends, while Hutchinson, who was transgender and identified as a man, was working for the venue’s security contractor on the night.
A third person, a 21-year-old woman, remains critically ill in hospital.
The O2 Brixton Academy has been closed since last week’s incident and an event on Dec. 31—DnB Allstars presents New Year’s Eve—has already been cancelled.
Chase Atlantic, an Australian boy band, have sold out their three-night stint at the venue on Jan. 11–13, 2023, and the academy’s website is still selling tickets for a show by Scandinavian folk band Heilung on Jan. 14.
The Metropolitan Police said it had “submitted a summary review application to Lambeth local authority” for the venue, which has a capacity of almost 5,000.
Fast-Track Review of Licence
Such a review is a process often sought by police after serious disorder takes place at a venue and it allows the local council to put in place interim measures, pending a full review.
Lambeth Council has a statement on its website that says, “We are shocked and saddened by the devastating incident in Brixton on Thursday night, and are working to support our communities in the wake of this tragedy.”
“The council is also fully playing its role in the investigations that are now under way. We are determined that answers must be found as to why these awful events occurred,” it said.
“The venue is currently closed and we are set to undertake an urgent, in-depth review of its licence, which covers the legal conditions it must meet to run, including its public safety arrangements,” it added.
The council’s licensing sub-committee will meet later on Thursday to consider immediate measures and the full review of the premises’ licence will have to be completed within 28 days.
Possible interim measures could include reducing the venue’s capacity, ordering the hiring of extra stewards, or suspending its alcohol licence or its full licence to operate.
The Met’s Specialist Crime Command is investigating the deaths, using CCTV and phone footage and forensic tests, to decide whether to bring charges of manslaughter or corporate manslaughter. That investigation may take several months.
Afrobeats singer Asake had been on stage for 10 minutes when he was informed of the trouble outside and he told the crowd: “They say it’s [expletive] outside already. So we have to end the show. I don’t know why. It’s not me.”
His announcement was greeted with boos by the crowd inside the venue, who were unaware of the seriousness of the crush and that people had suffered potentially fatal injuries.
Asake, who is nicknamed Mr. Money, is a popular Afrobeats singer who was touring with his debut album, “Mr. Money With The Vibe.”
The Metropolitan Police said hundreds of people turned up at the venue without tickets and tried to force their way in.
Eight people were taken to hospital as a result of the crush and two more were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Singer ‘Devastated’ by Rebecca Ikumelo’s Death
Asake posted a message on Instagram after Ikumelo’s death in which he said the news had left him “devastated.”
He said: “My sincerest condolences to her loved ones at this time. Let us please keep her family in our prayers. I have spoken to them and will continue to do so. I am overwhelmed with grief and could never have imagined anything like this happening.”
The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is standard practice when people die in the presence of police officers.
Ikumelo’s family said: “Rebecca was an adorable mother of two children who loved working with kids. She was well respected in the family for her care, kindness and love. Her parents call her Tosin (short for Oluwatosin) meaning ‘Lord is Worthy.’”
Hutchinson’s family paid tribute to her earlier this week, saying: “When Gaby loved you, it was with their whole heart. Gaby has brought so much love, laughter and inappropriate jokes into our lives and will forever be our baby, our daughter, our sister, our man and our joy.”
PA Media contributed to this report.
Chris Summers is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of national stories, with a particular interest in crime, policing and the law.
