REMEL report calls for reform of music event licensing

Black Lives in Music published its Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) Report, urging partners, policymakers and the wider music industry to back a series of recommendations aimed at tackling racial inequalities in event licensing.

The report, released on 14 October, marks the culmination of a major research and engagement project examining the experiences of Black and South Asian artists, promoters and venue owners within the music event licensing system.

In a message to partner organisations ahead of publication, Black Lives in Music thanks supporters for their role in bringing the project to completion, describing REMEL as more than a research exercise and instead a catalyst for meaningful change across the sector.

According to Black Lives in Music, evidence gathered through the project highlights concerns about the cancellation and restriction of live music events, with the report arguing that the impact extends far beyond individual artists or venues. It says the consequences are felt across the wider music ecosystem, affecting careers, businesses, audiences, local economies and communities.

The organisation maintains that Black and South Asian artists, promoters and venue operators have shouldered the burden of a system that has not always operated fairly, and argues that reform is needed to ensure equitable treatment within licensing processes.

Black Lives in Music is encouraging partners and stakeholders to adopt the REMEL principles and champion the report’s recommendations. The organisation says collective action will be essential to creating a fairer licensing framework that enables Black and South Asian artists, promoters and venue owners to develop and thrive on equal terms with their peers.

Black Lives in Music says it hopes the report will help drive long-term change and ensure race equality remains a key consideration within music event licensing policy and practice.