The survey seeks to investigate the discriminatory practices in live music events licensing. Photo: Shutterstock.
Black Lives In Music (BLiM) is leading the study, with the Runnymede Trust carrying out the research, asking the live industry to come forward with their experiences of dealing with local authorities and the police. It was announced at this week’s Night Time Economy Summit in Birmingham.
BLiM is calling on artists, promoters and venue managers to share their experiences of unfair cancellations, discriminatory licensing practices and other incidents. The survey is particularly keen to hear the perspective of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse participants in the sector.
The REMEL (Race Equality In Music Events Licencing) survey is being launched with the Musicians’ Union, UK Music, LIVE and Mayor of London.
How and why REMEL was formed
BLiM and the MU wrote to the Mayor of London in 2023 about concerns that decision-making and risk assessment processes, made by venues, police, and councils, result in a disproportionate impact on Black and Asian-led events in the capital.
In response, the Mayor, BLiM, the MU and LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), established the REMEL project in June 2024 to take action. REMEL is chaired by Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries.
Previously, Form 696 was used by the Metropolitan Police Service to inform licensing decisions about live music events, originally asking for details of the ethnicity of the audience and the music genre. Following a review by the Met Police and the Mayor of London, the form was discontinued in 2017. However, BLiM suggested that its legacy still affects formal and informal licensing decisions and interactions.
BLiM has been commissioned (alongside Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading race equality think tank) by the Mayor of London, to research the impact of policies and interactions with the police, councils, venues and promoters on Black, Asian and ethnically diverse music events.
Discrimination has no place in our industry
Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary, said: “Discrimination against Black and Global Majority artists and music genres is holding the UK music industry back. We need to harness diverse talent and ensure fans have access to live music in the genres they love.
“Discrimination has no place in our industry and we are delighted to partner with Black Lives In Music to seek further evidence of this issue, in order that we can better represent musicians affected. All musicians should be able to thrive artistically in the UK and be supported to reach their full potential.”
About the survey
BLiM’s new survey seeks to investigate the discriminatory practices in live music events licensing, particularly focusing on the lack of transparency in event cancellations, the role of police resource allocation, venue decision-making biases, and the overall impact of these factors on Black and Asian music communities.
The research will be used by REMEL to develop recommendations and work with all partners - including the Metropolitan Police as part of their London Race Action Plan, councils, and the music industry - to identify best practice, share learning and take action.
More details, including information on data protection, can be found via the survey page before completion.