A report on racial equity in music event licensing has found that black-led events in London are blocked at higher rates than white-led counterparts, with certain genres including Afrobeats, hip-hop, drill, R&B and dancehall routinely classified as high-risk while indie, pop and rock events receive less scrutiny.
The Race Equality in Music Event Licensing report, commissioned by the Greater London Authority and conducted by Black Lives in Music, examined licensing patterns across the capital through interviews, focus groups, surveys and public records requests. Researchers noted that limited race-disaggregated data and rejected Freedom of Information requests made comprehensive analysis challenging. South Asian-led events were also examined, though the report found that these events were largely absent from official licensing records, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about disproportionate treatment.
The report identified what it characterized as institutional racism embedded within routine licensing processes rather than explicit policies. Event organizers and venue owners reported that police intelligence, often unverified, was routinely cited to justify increased scrutiny of black and South Asian events, sometimes requiring organizers to fund additional security or police presence. The report described these practices as a hidden form of economic exclusion that makes events financially or logistically infeasible without directly banning them.
Historical context was provided by the report’s co-author, who noted that race-based licensing issues extend back approximately a century. The now-scrapped Form 696, a police risk assessment introduced in 2005 following shootings at London club nights, received particular attention for its role in shaping discriminatory practices.
The report presented 19 recommendations including a comprehensive licensing system review, transparent evidence standards and cultural impact assessments for major licensing decisions. The Greater London Authority’s nightlife taskforce chairman and numerous industry organizations including the Musicians’ Union and Music Venue Trust welcomed the findings, while the Metropolitan Police indicated it would carefully review the report’s conclusions.
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