New look for O2 Academy Brixton

Brixton O2 Academy exterior
PICTURES: John Williams Photography

Brixton’s O2 Academy today (26 August) revealed a brand new look, with artwork by local talent Reves One reminding passers-by of good times they have enjoyed there.

As part of O2’s national This Is Just An Interval campaign, the venue has been given a new look and feel.

O2, in collaboration with street art collective Blank Walls, identified Reves One, an illustrator and muralist from London, for the new artwork on the venue. The commission used O2’s blue colour palette to bring the venue to life.

“As an artist, I like exploring putting things in motion. Coming from a typography and illustration background, I now mix geometric shapes with deep portraits to create colourful neon composition,” Reves One said. 

“For this artwork on O2 Academy Brixton, we wanted to give tribute to the sound of the community. The makeshift, stacked, loud blasting sound system represents the world of dub, bass, ragga and reggae, amongst other music genres that make up the vibrancy of the area.

Exterior of Brixton O2 Academy

“I created this uniform wall of sound as symbol of the life and experience that usually fills the venue, making it vibrate again, holding it until its next gig and giving the community hope that this is just an interval.”

Gareth Griffiths, Head of Sponsorship at O2, said: “We appreciate these continue to be extremely challenging circumstances for live music venues.

“As we gradually return to normality, it is so important we celebrate O2 Academy Brixton, a venue at the very heart of its community, loved for the many memories that it has created.

“The nation has experienced an extended break without live music, but this is just an interval and it will be back.

“We wanted to show our appreciation by ensuring fans remember the good times until we’re all able to enjoy live music together again.”

O2 has teamed up with home-grown talent across the UK to create bespoke artwork across all 14 O2 Academy venues.