Black music events are more likely to be “cancelled, shut down or restricted” than white-run events
Black and South Asian-centred events in London were found to “face deep systematic and institutional barriers” by a new study
Black music events in London are more likely to be "cancelled, shut down and restricted" than their white-run counterparts, new research from the Race Equality In Music Event Licensing (REMEL) project has revealed.
The project gathered data across a two-year period to demonstrate racial inequalities in policing for its new report. The study consists of interviews with promoters, artists, venue operators and community figures, alongside data from the Greater London Authority, the Met Police, UK Music, LIVE and the Musicians Union.
Black and South Asian-centred events were found to “face deep systematic and institutional barriers”, with Temporary Event Notices (TENs) more likely to be refused in the UK capital’s most diverse boroughs.
The report states that after incidents had occurred, white-owned venues were typically “supported back into business”, while Black-owned venues were “forced to close” by the authorities.
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Decisions made by the Met police and licensing bodies were found to list certain music genres as "higher risk" despite "evidence to the contrary", the genres most found to be listed as such were Afrobeats, dancehall and R&B.
According to the report, the cost of cancellations and restrictions is estimated to have put an estimated £650 million (more than US$860 million) in music investment at risk across five years; the pattern of Black music events being targeted more than white events costs the music scene around £114 million (almost US$151 million) a year.
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REMEL was first established in 2023 in response to concerns raised by Black Lives in Music and the Musicians’ Union to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
According to the London Assembly, the research will be used to develop a London Race Action Plan which will guide councils, the music industry and the police "to identify best practice, share learning and take action."
Find more information on REMEL's report here.
Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, get in touch with her here.
