London Loses £141m Annually
Barriers facing black and south Asian music events in London cost the city up to £141m annually, with projected losses exceeding £650m over five years, according to a two-year investigation
A two-year investigation into racial inequality in London's live music industry has found that barriers facing black and south Asian music events cost the city up to £141m annually. The investigation, led by Black Lives in Music and commissioned by the mayor's office, estimated that cancellations, displacement, and events prevented from taking place result in significant financial losses for the city.
The report, known as the Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) report, highlighted that genres such as Afrobeats, drill, and dancehall are routinely labelled 'high risk' despite a lack of credible evidence. This labelling can lead to disproportionate cancellations, restrictions, and licensing barriers for these events compared to white events.
The Metropolitan Police Service's Form 696, which was introduced in 2005 and scrapped in 2017, was criticized for discriminating against black music events. The report found that the problems faced by black and south Asian music events are not limited to specific genres, but are instead rooted in racial inequality.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Metropolitan Police Service, UK Music, LIVE, the Musicians' Union, and a wide network of promoters, artists, venue operators, and community representatives. The report's lead researcher, Hakeem Stevens, noted that police scrutiny of black and Asian performers has become harder to document due to the use of verbal conversations and phone calls.
## Why it matters The report's findings have significant implications for the live music industry in London and beyond. Charisse Beaumont, chief executive of Black Lives in Music, stated that the problems uncovered by the report exist nationwide, and that the discrimination faced by black and south Asian music events is not limited to specific genres, but is instead a matter of race. The projected losses of over £650m over five years highlight the need for urgent action to address these barriers and ensure that all music events are treated fairly and without bias.
The report's findings are a call to action for the live music industry, policymakers, and law enforcement to work together to address the systemic inequalities faced by black and south Asian music events. By doing so, London can promote a more inclusive and diverse music scene, and prevent significant financial losses to the city.
