Wednesday 14 October 2026
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Black and south Asian music events in London face licensing discrimination costing up to £141m a year, report finds

Two-year investigation says Afrobeats, drill and dancehall events labelled ‘high risk’ without credible evidence

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
Black and south Asian music events in London face disproportionate cancellations, restrictions and licensing barriers compared with white events, according to a two-year investigation commissioned by the mayor’s office. The Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) report, led by Black Lives in Music, estimates that cancellations, displacement and events prevented from taking place cost London between £127m and £141m annually, with projected losses exceeding £650m over five years.

The report, produced in collaboration with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Metropolitan Police, found that genres including Afrobeats, drill and dancehall are routinely labelled ‘high risk’ despite a lack of credible evidence, while indie, pop and rock events face comparatively little scrutiny. Other events facing stringent restrictions included reggae gatherings aimed at older audiences, jazz nights and community events.

The research raised concerns over the use of unverified police intelligence, with promoters describing events being cancelled based on undisclosed information, online searches or unrelated incidents. Charisse Beaumont, chief executive of Black Lives in Music, said that although the investigation focused on London, the problems it uncovered exist nationwide. “As soon as we put the report out there, the call for our survey, people were upset that they couldn’t complete the survey because they were outside of London,” she said. For Beaumont, the discrimination extended far beyond specific music genres. “It’s about race. And that’s what’s so deeply sad about it.”

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The estimated £127m-£141m annual loss represents a significant drain on London’s night-time economy, potentially affecting jobs, tourism and cultural diversity.
  • The report suggests racial bias is baked into event licensing processes, raising questions about fairness and equal treatment under the law.
  • The findings could pressure the GLA, the Metropolitan Police and licensing authorities to reform practices that the report says disproportionately harm black and south Asian music promoters.

Background

The REMEL report is the result of a two-year investigation commissioned by the Mayor of London and produced by Black Lives in Music in partnership with the GLA and the Met Police. It examined the licensing landscape for live music events in the capital, focusing on disparities between events catering to black and south Asian audiences and those targeting predominantly white audiences. The report draws on surveys, data analysis and testimony from promoters.

Key Perspectives

Black Lives in Music and event promoters: They argue that racial discrimination is driving a systemic pattern of cancellations and restrictions that is costing the industry tens of millions of pounds a year. They call for an end to the use of unverified police intelligence and for greater transparency in risk assessments. Greater London Authority and Metropolitan Police: The report was a collaborative effort, meaning these bodies have been party to the investigation. It is not yet clear what actions they will take in response to the findings. Licensing authorities and venue operators: The report implies that existing procedures allow unchecked bias; they face pressure to justify the ‘high risk’ labels applied to genres such as Afrobeats, drill and dancehall.

What to Watch

  • The response from the Mayor of London and the GLA, including any announced review or reform of licensing guidelines.
  • Whether the Metropolitan Police will revise its use of intelligence in event risk assessments.
  • Potential for similar investigations in other UK cities, given Beaumont’s comments that the problems exist nationwide.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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