New report shows extent of racial bias in licensing against Black music events in London
A two-year investigation has found that Black-led music events in London face more cancellations, restrictions and shutdowns than comparable white-led events. The report says licensing and policing decisions can be made with little explanation and no clear appeal route, and calls for reforms to help Black and South Asian music businesses.
The REMEL Report drew on surveys, interviews, focus groups, licensing data and freedom of information requests, with research led by a group including the Greater London Authority, Metropolitan Police, UK Music and the Musicians’ Union. It says events in London’s most ethnically diverse boroughs are more likely to be blocked or face police objections. The article cites a promoter charged £10,000 for police attendance at a show with no history of trouble, and Colour Factory’s reported £55,000 losses after police suspended its licence following an incident outside the venue after operating hours.
- Report finds unequal licensing impacts on Black-led events in London.
- It calls for transparency, dialogue and clearer routes to appeal.
- Organisers want government support to implement reforms.
New here? Start with this
London’s music venues need licences to hold events, and councils and police can impose conditions or object to a licence. These decisions affect whether events can go ahead, but promoters may have limited information about the reasons or how to challenge them.
Black-led events are organised by Black promoters or businesses, while South Asian-led events involve people or businesses from South Asian communities. The REMEL Report examined licensing and policing in London through interviews, surveys and official data, and found that Black-led events faced more cancellations and restrictions than comparable white-led events.
The issue matters because licensing decisions can affect the costs and survival of music businesses, as well as which events audiences can attend. The report also considers how decisions affect South Asian music businesses and calls for changes to the system.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The report’s findings suggest that Black-led events face disproportionate barriers, with opaque decisions and limited appeal making it harder for businesses to challenge cancellations or restrictions. Reform could improve accountability and fairness while helping sustain culturally important music venues and events.
The case against
Licensing and policing decisions must also protect public safety, and authorities may need to impose restrictions when they judge risks to be significant, including risks connected to incidents near a venue. A careful approach to reform should preserve their ability to act on local evidence while ensuring that comparisons account for differences in event circumstances and that safeguards do not weaken effective safety measures.