O2 Academy Brixton announces opening date and first concerts over a year after deadly crush

The O2 Academy Brixton has announced it will reopen in April, 16 months after a deadly crush during a concert which left two people dead.

The tragic incident claimed the lives of 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo and 23-year-old Gaby Hutchinson. A 22-year-old woman who was injured at the event is also understood to be in hospital in a very serious condition.

Mother-of-two Rebecca and the young woman who remains in hospital, were among thousands of people who went to the O2 Academy Brixton to watch Nigerian artist Asake perform on December 15 2022. Security guard Gaby was on duty at the event when the tragedy occurred.

In an announcement on X, the historic venue said it would reopen its doors on Friday April 19, with a run of performances by tribute bands, including Nirvana UK and The Smyths.

The venue faced permanent closure after the Metropolitan Police urged Lambeth Council to remove its licence.

However, after a two-day hearing in September last year, a licensing sub-committee voted to allow it to reopen provided that it met 77 “extensive and robust new conditions”.

The venue has spent £1.2 million on maintenance and improvements in 2023, despite being closed, a hearing was told.

The post on venue’s social media on Monday said: “O2 Academy Brixton will reopen on Friday April 19 with Nirvana UK (tribute to Nirvana) and The Smyths (tribute to The Smyths), followed by Friday April 16 with Definitely Mightbe (tribute to Oasis) and UK Foo Fighters (tribute to Foo Fighters).”

On the anniversary of Asake concert crush the Met Police released images of 13 people they would like to speak to.

They are also appealing for any footage that was filmed inside the venue that evening.

In a statement Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney said: “We remain focused on establishing exactly what happened that tragic evening, how Rebecca and Gaby came to lose their lives and why a young woman remains in hospital in a very serious condition a year later.

“I am grateful to those who have already helped by either speaking to police, sharing footage or providing us with valuable advice in terms of our investigation and the impact of this tragic event on people in Lambeth and beyond.

“We owe it to the families who have been left heartbroken and with many unanswered questions to establish the truth about what happened to their loved ones, and continue to follow the evidence where it takes us - without fear or favour.”

In a statement Rebecca’s father Anthony Ikumelo, said: “Rebecca was a caring loving person who cared for everyone in the community. This tragedy has left a large hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. We urge anyone who has information about what happened that night to come forward so that those responsible can be identified.”

In a statement Gaby’s sister Kelsey Hutchinson, said: “Our lives will never be what they used to be, we have gaps and it’s trying to find a new normal. Because we don't have the answers, we're still waiting for investigations to be completed, we're still in a situation where we don't know why. I think if we could get to that point, that might help us.

“No one should ever go to work and not come home.”