Varied artists and business professionals have spoken out in opposition to the potential closure of the O2 Academy in Brixton.
The long-lasting London venue drew controversy final 12 months following a deadly crowd crush that occurred at an Asake live performance. The occasion — which left two useless and one in crucial situation — finally led to the academy having its licence suspended for 3 months.
Earlier this week, nonetheless, the Metropolitan Police claimed to have “misplaced confidence” within the security of the venue and made a push for the placement to shut its doorways for good.
The try to shut down the venue led to backlash from music lovers nearly instantly. This morning (April 28), it was reported that a web based petition had launched on Change.Org to counteract the try, and had already gathered almost 10,000 signatures.
Inside a matter of hours, the variety of signatures has accelerated to just about 15,000.
Various musicians and business professionals have additionally weighed in on the controversy — taking to social media to attempt to save the venue.
“Misplaced rely of the quantity of instances we’ve performed Brixton Academy – it’d can be a tragedy to lose such an iconic venue,” wrote The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, who shared 4 photos documenting the band’s time on the location.
Primal Scream bassist Simone Marie Butler additionally shared her ideas on the controversy, including: “Brixton Academy is such an vital and historic venue for south London and reside music. There’s a police a station actually reverse, absolutely with new administration / infrastructure + safety it may be improved ? as an alternative of simply shutting it down?”
American alt-rock icons Rubbish spoke out in opposition to the selection on Twitter too, merely writing “Save Brixton Academy” and attaching a hyperlink to the net petition. Take a look at extra business responses beneath.
Misplaced rely of the quantity of instances we’ve performed Brixton Academy – it’d can be a tragedy to lose such an iconic venue pic.twitter.com/Ov0MwM9ABj
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) April 28, 2023
Brixton Academy is such an vital and historic venue for south london and reside music. There’s a police a station actually reverse, absolutely with new administration / infrastructure + safety it may be improved ? as an alternative of simply shutting it down? https://t.co/4vcS6xt8Ba
— simone marie (@simonemarie4) April 26, 2023
Save Brixton Academy #SaveBrixtonAcademy https://t.co/zpZUNTw8jl through @UKChange
— Rubbish (@rubbish) April 28, 2023
Brixton Academy – @faithless have graced the stage there many instances – and but a horrible tragedy occurred there solely lately. However it’s vastly quick sighted to close the venue permanently- producing jobs, native economy- bringing the most effective music to London! #SaveBrixtonAcademy https://t.co/L7lwfbJQ4n
— sister bliss (@thesisterbliss) April 28, 2023
Carter would not be Carter with out Brixton Academy. As a lifelong Lambeth council resident I’m unsure they’re the individuals who can do something about saving it however undoubtedly value a shot. #SaveBrixtonAcademy – Signal the Petition https://t.co/ieo3meWYW8 through @UKChange
— Jim Bob (@mrjimBob) April 28, 2023
Signal this. We have to display the power of public opposition to the revocation of the licence and Save Brixton Academy #SaveBrixtonAcademy – Signal the Petition! https://t.co/w5EpTV1s1B through @UKChange
— Mark Davyd (@markdavyd) April 28, 2023
Save Brixton Academy #SaveBrixtonAcademy https://t.co/srMXBT0PTw through @UKChange
Can be a crying disgrace to lose this venue! A lot musical historical past has been made right here.
— Ben Sargeant (@benjaminsarge) April 28, 2023
Feels so heavy handed, and nightlife bearing the brunt once more. As nice venue with a lot historical past. Join!
Save Brixton Academy #SaveBrixtonAcademy – Signal the Petition! https://t.co/40Gu8WmJJl through @UKChange
— Man Hornsby (@GuyHornsby) April 27, 2023
Petition · Save Brixton Academy · https://t.co/XKRhC0iHuB https://t.co/4FSRr60Xjw
— anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) April 28, 2023
Petition · Save Brixton Academy · https://t.co/xUpKuSODML https://t.co/VuBLNqaTH9
— Mogwai (@mogwaiband) April 27, 2023
Extra individuals have died in Brixton Police Station than Brixton Academy. A number of individuals through the years have died within the Met’s constructing so I asume they will be closing that down too? https://t.co/iVUPRUTURz
— Steve Marsh (@Stemo_Marsh) April 26, 2023
I am unable to consider completely closing Brixton Academy is even being thought-about. It’s 1 of London’s nice historic venues, the center of Brixton, bringing 1000s of individuals’s footfall to the world nightly. #SaveBrixtonAcademy – Signal the Petition https://t.co/E1tjGUiLDH through @UKChange
— Neil McCormick (@neil_mccormick) April 28, 2023
So many nights of blissful @poguesofficial mayhem.. Brixton Academy is a spot of catharsis and pleasure, it’s a horrible factor that somebody ought to lose their life on an evening out however the fault doesn’t lie with the venue#SaveBrixtonAcademy – Signal the Petition https://t.co/e8okHsJhOH
— Spider Stacy (@spiderstacy) April 28, 2023
I like many others can be completely gutted if Brixton academy by no means opens its doorways once more. One of many phrases most iconic venues. #Brixton pic.twitter.com/ms4HOj51LH
— The Magic Mod (@TaylorMod) April 27, 2023
Following the deadly incident on the Asake live performance, the venue had its licence quickly suspended till January 16, with Lambeth Council saying that it will focus on the difficulty once more at that date. This was later voluntarily prolonged for 3 months by the venue’s operator AMG.
The closure of the South London venue has left many artists pressured to postpone their pre-scheduled reveals, and play at different venues as an alternative.
