A suspected crush during a concert at the Brixton O2 Academy in south London has left eight people in hospital, with four in critical condition. Police were called there at 21:35 GMT on Thursday, during the gig by afro-pop singer Asake. Officers were responding to reports of a large number of people trying to force their way into the venue. A number of people were found with injuries believed to have been caused by crushing, police said. The gig, which was abandoned part-way through, was the third of three sold-out shows at the Academy by the Nigerian singer, sometimes known as Mr. Money.
Social media footage shows a large crowd building up outside the venue, with one person claiming on Twitter that more than 1,000 people had turned up without tickets. In the footage, the crowd can be seen stretching from the road outside to the venue doors, with people screaming, shouting, and struggling. Eyewitness Ruth said: "I live here and the crowd - there are always crowds coming out of the Brixton Academy - but last night was more crowds than I'd ever seen." She said she looked out of her window after seeing flashing blue lights, adding: "The entire intersection was packed, and I knew something was going on because police normally don't show up and they just told me that people were hurt."
Journalist and author Jason Okundaye, who was outside the venue at the time, said "there was absolutely zero communication" from Academy staff. He added that he went home after observing the dangerous conditions, continuing: "Outside the venue was so unsafe, still slippery conditions because of the earlier snowstorm, freezing cold, a confused crowd and aggressive police dogs making the risk of a huge crush likely." The O2 Academy Brixton has a standing capacity of up to almost 5,000 people, according to its website. The venue is opposite Brixton police station, partly explaining the swift response on Thursday night. There are still plenty of officers at the scene. Underneath a "sold out" sign, the metal railings scattered across the pavement bear testament to what must have been chaotic scenes.
Cdr Ade Adelekan from the Metropolitan Police said the scene will be examined by specialist officers as part of an investigation that will be "as thorough and as forensic as necessary". He said: "This is an extremely upsetting incident which has left four people critically ill in hospital. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families." The Met's directorate of professional standards will view all material, including body-worn video footage from the officers at the scene, Scotland Yard said. An investigation has been launched and cordons remain in place at the venue on Stockwell Road. No arrests have been made.
'Breakout star'
Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, was nominated for BBC Radio 1's Sound of 2023 award.
He had been described on the venue's website as "one of the hottest breakout stars from Nigeria" and is touring his debut album, Mr. Money With The Vibe. Born and raised in Lagos State, his songs are part of the Nigerian street-pop subgenre that blends Afrobeats with Amapiano, pop melodies, and street-smart rap lyrics. He had a break-out hit in 2020 with his single Lady.
