Two people died and one remains critically ill after a crush at a concert at Brixton Academy on December 15, 2022. Social media footage showed long queues of people, many thought not to have tickets, attempting to gain entry to the sold-out Afrobeats concert by Asake. The victims’ families state they still have no answers and have not had any contact with the artist. The police and families are appealing for more evidence to find out how the crush happened.
Concerns were raised about the strength of the venue’s doors and staffing levels, including whether there was enough medical cover, in the days and weeks that followed the tragedy. Gaby Hutchinson, 23, from Kent worked as a security contractor that night. Her sisters, Nina and Kelsey Hutchinson, believe that Asake has not done enough, stating he has “used Gaby’s name in his speeches and concerts but he’s not done anything to support the investigation”.
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, from Stratford, east London, also died in the crush. Speaking of Asake, Rebecca’s parents, Yetunde Olodo and Anthony Ikumelo, said the musician had not reached out to them either. Mr. Ikumelo said: “Asake has been back to the country twice since the incident and twice he hasn’t checked into the families to ask us how we’re coping.”
The venue’s license was suspended shortly after the tragedy, as the Metropolitan Police urged the council to remove it. After a two-day hearing in September, the council’s licensing sub-committee voted to allow the venue to continue operating as long as it met 77 new robust and extensive conditions, including stronger doors, new crowd management systems, more detailed risk assessments, a new ticketing system, a centralized control and command center, and new security and management.
Mr. Ikumelo is disgusted that the venue is reopening and said, “At least they could have the decency to tell us and ask how we are coping. Not doing this, I think, was wrong.” Gaby’s sisters called for some respect to be shown towards the victims. Follow-ups require evidence of 13 people captured in CCTV footage, and the Met Police continue to investigate. ANG, the venue’s owner, stated that the timeline for its reopening would be announced. Asake’s representatives have yet to comment
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