O2 Academy Brixton has been closed since December 2022, but it’s just been announced that the historic London venue will be allowed to reopen next month.
The venue took to their socials last month to confirm that, from today (April 19), the venue will be able to put on live music once again, and will kick off with a series of tribute acts to some of the biggest bands in the history of music.
Nirvana UK (a tribute act to Nirvana) will be the first show on the cards, taking place tonight (April 19). These will follow with tribute acts for The Smiths (The Smyths), Oasis (Definitely Mightbe), and Foo Fighters (UK Foo Fighters). Following this, there have been dates pencilled in for Editors and The Black Keys to play shows at Brixton Academy in May.
It comes just over a year since the venue was forced to close after overcrowding led to a crush at an Asake gig in December 2022, which led to the deaths of two attendees – Gaby Hutchinson and Rebecca Ikumelo. Both victims were in the foyer to the venue and there was reportedly over 1,000 people outside the venue The gig was abandoned after three songs and. Doors to the venue have been closed to the public ever since, after the council suspended O2 Academy Brixton’s license.
Lambeth council was considering permanently revoking the venue’s licence before a petition to save it garnered more than 116,000 signatures and supporters. Well known artists such as Blur and The Chemical Brothers also voiced their support in keeping the venue up and running.
In September last year, it was announced that the venue would be allowed to open for a series of test events after Lambeth council confirmed it could reopen if a full list of “extensive and robust” 77 conditions were met.