London music report finds racial bias in event licensing

A new report by Black Lives in Music (BLiM) titled ‘Race Equality in Music Event Licensing’ (REMEL) reveals systemic inequalities in how London’s Black and South Asian music events are policed and licensed.

The two-year study found that Black-led events are disproportionately cancelled, restricted, or blocked compared to white-led events. Certain genres, including Afrobeats, hip hop, R&B, and dancehall, are frequently flagged as ‘high risk,’ whereas genres like indie, pop, and rock face significantly less scrutiny.

Economic consequences are substantial; the report estimates that licensing bias results in an annual loss of between £127 million and £141 million. Over a five-year period, these restrictions and closures put an estimated £650 million at risk. The findings suggest that while white-owned venues often receive support to return to business following incidents, Black venues are frequently forced to close.

The report calls for the UK government, the Home Office, and the Greater London Authority to implement reforms, including the appointment of an independent expert panel to review the licensing system and ensure it is fair, transparent, and culturally informed.