Sombr calls out O2 Academy Brixton as ‘the most poorly managed venue’

Sombr has labelled O2 Academy Brixton as ‘poorly managed’, just over three years since two people died following a crowd crush at the London venue.

This week the American singer – real name Shane Michael Boose – played three shows at the venue, which has a capacity of around 5,000 people.

However, during his final show on Tuesday night, he took aim at how it was being run.

In a clip shared on social media after the gig, the Back to Friends and Undressed singer stopped his performance mid-song to address an incident in the crowd after one of his fans had appeared to faint.

‘Alright, stop the show, guys, there’s someone passed out over here,’ the 20-year-old could be heard saying, as his band cut the song.

While gesturing to the area where the incident had on unfolded, he then launched into a verbal take-down of the venue.

‘This is the most poorly managed venue I’ve ever played at in my life,’ he declared.

Then speaking directly to the security guards, he added: ‘You guys need to pay attention, it’s insane. Safety comes first.’

Despite his statement on stage, following his shows Sombr did not address his concerns on social media, writing after the show on Instagram: ‘London Night 3. I love you so much. Thanks for an unforgettable past 3 nights. I’ll be back London.’

He also thanked Joe Jonas for joining him on stage, calling him ‘an amazing lad’, after they performed a rendition of the DNCE song Cake by the Ocean.

However, after a clip of Sombr’s comments were shared online, many others also described their own concerns about the iconic concert venue.

‘Heard horror stories about this venue and its management,’ IHAMMedia commented.

‘It is refreshing to see an artist actually pay attention to the crowd and demand better management from such a legendary venue,’ Jessica shared.

‘Crazy moment. Calling out O2 Academy Brixton like that mid-show shows how serious the situation must’ve been. Hope the crowd was okay,’ Jeff said.

‘He isn’t even wrong when I went there people were fainting cause it was too hot (concert was during summer time) and they had to be told by the act to turn on the air conditioning on,’ Riv explained.

‘It’s really unprofessional when a venue’s staff can’t even ensure basic crowd safety,’ Oliver added.

Brixton Academy previously faced permanent closure after a crowd crush in December 2022, which saw fans trying to force entry into a show by Nigerian artist Asake.

The deadly crush saw two people killed – security guard Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33.

It faced permanent closure after the Metropolitan Police urged Lambeth Council to remove its licence, having indicated it had no confidence in the company which owns the Academy to run it.

The Met Police had described what unfolded as ‘large-scale disorder’, with crowds of 1,000 people trying to force their way in.

When the doors were breached the crowd poured into the lobby towards the auditorium and surged over people who had fallen to the floor.

Councillors previously suspended the venue’s licence for three months and the decision was supported by the venue’s owner.

However, in a two-day hearing in 2023, the company which owns the Brixton Academy, Academy Music Group (AMG), told the committee it had developed new safety measures in an effort to have its licence restored, including stronger doors, a better queuing system and more secure ticketing.

In order to reopen, the venue had to meet ‘77 extensive and robust new conditions designed to promote public safety, including the safety of both visitors and employees’. It eventually reopened in April 2024.

At the time, the venue said it was ‘devastated by the event’s that unfolded and offered ‘heartfelt condolences remain with the family and friends of Ikumelo and Hutchinson’. ‘What happened was and is a tragedy and we are committed to ensuring that it can never be repeated, it added.

AMG went on to say it was ‘determined to learn all appropriate lessons’.

Frenz Ferdinand are set to play the venue tonight, with acts including The Vaccines, Kesha and Thundercat to follow in coming weeks.

Metro has contacted O2 Academy Brixton for comment.

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