Live Music: new survey to investigate racial bias in licensing of music events in London

06 February 2025 - Press release

"This survey is a crucial step in driving real change in live music licensing. Through Project REMEL, we are uncovering the systemic barriers in licensing that Black and Asian artists, promoters, and venue owners have faced for too long. Barriers that have stifled artistic expression and economic growth. 

"Last minute event cancellations by the police, license extensions denied, covert phone calls pressuring venue owners to cancel events and outright refusals to grant licenses based on music genres including Jazz, Bhangra, and Gospel are just some of the obstacles. It's not just Drill music. 

"These challenges don't just impact individuals, they hold back the entire industry.

"By gathering real data, we can expose these challenges, highlight best practices and push for an industry that is not just fair, but stronger, more inclusive and more profitable for everyone. 

"We need venues, artists, promoters, and decision-makers to take part and share their experiences. Your voice is the key to dismantling the barriers that have held Black and Brown entrepreneurs back for too long.

"Together, we can transform the live music industry into a sector where talent is nurtured, opportunities are equal, and success is accessible to all." - Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives in Music

TAKE PART IN THE SURVEY HERE

A first of its kind survey has been launched to investigate reported race inequality, bias and over-policing of music events in London, calling on artists, promoters and venue managers to share their experiences of unfair cancellations, discriminatory licensing practices and other incidents. The survey is particularly keen to hear the perspective of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse participants in the sector.

Black Lives in Music (BLiM) is leading the study, with the Runnymede Trust carrying out the research, asking the live industry to come forward with their experiences of dealing with local authorities and the police.

It is announced today at the Night Time Economy Summit in Birmingham.

The REMEL (Race Equality In Music Events Licencing) survey is being launched with the Musicians’ Union, UK Music, LIVE and Mayor of London. 

Repeated concerns have been raised about decision making and risk assessment processes that venues, police and councils carry out that result in a disproportionate impact on Black and Asian led events in the capital - and its impact on new talent and the emergence of new genres for which London is world-famous.

Black Lives In Music (BLiM) and The Musicians' Union wrote to the Mayor in 2023 about these barriers. In response, the Mayor, Night Czar, Black Lives In Music, the Musicians' Union and LIVE established The Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) project in June 2024 to take action. REMEL is chaired by Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries. 

Previously, Form 696 was used by the Metropolitan Police Service to inform licensing decisions about live music events, asking for details of the ethnicity of the audience and the music genre. The form was banned by the Mayor of London in November 2017 for discriminating against Black and ethnically diverse performers and events. But it is thought its legacy still affects formal and informal licensing decisions and interactions.

BLiM has been commissioned alongside Runnymede Trust, The UK's leading race equality think tank, by the Mayor of London to research the impact of policies and interactions with the police, councils, venues and promoters on Black, Asian and ethnically diverse music events.

BLiM has been gathering data and stories. For example, they found a cultural venue with mostly 'Black/Brown' music programming which had been unable to secure the longer hours necessary to make the venue economically viable, despite the absence of any evidence showing adverse effects, However, local pubs continued to trade, sometimes playing the same music. In other cases, promoters felt the need to change their own name to a 'white' pseudonym to secure a licence.