REMEL Report estimates racial bias costs London live music up to £141 million yearly

The short version

• Billboard reports that the REMEL Report estimates racial bias costs London's Black and South Asian live music up to £141 million ($185 million) a year.[Billboard]
• The report says Black-led events and genres such as afrobeats and hip-hop face disproportionate cancellations, restrictions and high-risk labels.[Billboard]
• The report also says Temporary Event Notices are more often refused in London's most diverse boroughs.[Billboard]
• The report projects £650 million ($856 million) lost over five years due to this licensing bias.[Billboard]

Key facts

• The REMEL Report estimates systemic racial bias costs London's Black and South Asian live music scene up to £141 million ($185 million) a year.[Billboard]
• The two-year investigation included contributions from the Greater London Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service, U.K. Music, LIVE, the Musicians' Union, and industry networks.[Billboard]
• The report says Black events are disproportionately canceled, restricted, or blocked, and genres such as afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, and dancehall are often flagged as high risk.[Billboard]
• Temporary Event Notices are more likely to be refused in London's most diverse boroughs, according to the report.[Billboard]
• The report estimates £1.1 billion ($1.45 billion) was spent in London on Black and South Asian live music in 2024.[Billboard]
• The report projects £650 million ($856 million) has been lost over the past five years due to licensing bias.[Billboard]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Racial Bias in Live Events Licensing Costs London’s Music Scene $185M Annually, Says Landmark ReportBillboard