Brixton’s O2 Academy has announced that it will reopen on Friday 19 April.
The first shows will be by four tribute bands: Nirvana UK and The Smyths on 19 April and Definitely Mightbe (Oasis) and UK Foo Fighters on Friday 26 April.
Further dates include Editors on Thursday 2 May and The Black Keys on Wednesday 8 May.
The venue has been closed since December 2022. Detectives investigating the fatal crush incident at the Academy are still calling on people to check 13 images of people they would like to identify.
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and Gaby Hutchinson, 23, lost their lives in the crush. A 22-year-old woman injured in the event is still in hospital in a very serious condition.
In September last year, Lambeth council’s licensing sub-committee voted to allow the venue to reopen, subject to 77 additional conditions on its premises licence.
The venue’s website warns that there may be delays in admission after the re-opeoning, saying: “The ongoing safety of our customers, staff and performers is of paramount importance.
“Our management and security teams regularly review procedure and protocol with all employees.
“As with every live event, all arrangements are in continuous consultation and review with local authorities and the police, and our venues are monitored at all times.
“There are lots of things that go on behind the scenes, too: training exercises; new security measures – so please be patient if things take a little longer than you’re used to.”
While this may be great news for people who enjoy going to pop concerts, and those who make money out of feeding them with food and alcohol, how many of the people suspected to have been involved in causing the deaths of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gabrielle Hutchinson on 15 December 2022 have been arrested to date?