United Kingdom | Civil Rights · Business · Cultural Policy
A new report from Black Lives in Music finds that Black and South Asian musicians, promoters and venue operators in London face disproportionate barriers in music-event licensing, policing and regulation. Published on October 14, 2026, the Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) report raises questions about racial equality, administrative accountability and access to London’s cultural economy.
What Happened
REMEL is a multi-agency initiative involving the Greater London Authority, Metropolitan Police Service, Musicians’ Union, music-industry representatives and community participants. Researchers examined surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, Freedom of Information responses and other material. They found that Black and South Asian-led events experience disproportionate scrutiny, restrictions, cancellations and licensing barriers, particularly in genres such as Afrobeats, hip-hop, drill, R&B and dancehall.
Promoters described events being restricted or cancelled with inadequate explanations or opportunities to challenge decisions. The report also identifies increased security, insurance and compliance costs for affected businesses.
The Legacy of Form 696
The report argues that the influence of Form 696—a controversial Metropolitan Police risk-assessment process discontinued in 2017—continues in assumptions linking certain genres and audiences with elevated risk. Authorities may legitimately consider public safety. The concern is whether decisions are supported by evidence about individual events rather than stereotypes about music or audiences. The report identifies disparities and accounts of discriminatory treatment; it does not establish that every officer or licensing decision was discriminatory.
Economic Consequences
Researchers estimate that disproportionate policing and licensing are linked to £127 million to £141 million in lost live-music spending annually across London. They also describe cancelled events, financial pressure on promoters and venues, and displacement of Black and South Asian music from central London. These are the report’s estimates and findings, not judicial determinations.
Why It Matters
Licensing is often treated as a technical public-safety issue. In practice, licensing decisions can also shape who performs, who operates a viable business and which cultural communities can access commercial venues. The report calls for more transparent, evidence-based decisions and independent accountability.
The LexNoir Perspective
The implications extend beyond music. Regulation can constrain economic opportunity and cultural expression without expressly excluding anyone. The next test will be whether London’s authorities translate the report’s recommendations into measurable changes in licensing practice.
Featured image: Saxophonist YolanDa Brown performing at the Barbican Centre, London (illustrative; the image does not suggest she was affected by the practices discussed). Photograph by Ivan / BlackGrape, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Image may be resized or cropped; adaptations are subject to the license’s ShareAlike conditions.
