Madness frontman Suggs has backed the reopening of Brixton Academy, calling it “one of the best music venues in London”.
The venue, which can hold 4,921 standing, had its license suspended last December after a fatal crowd crush left two people dead and one in critical condition.
Last month, Lambeth Council said it can re-open once the venue has met 77 “extensive and robust” conditions “designed to promote public safety”.
This includes stronger doors, new crowd management systems and a new ticketing system.
Although 70s ska and pop band Madness are more synonymous with Camden, where they are set to play a homecoming gig at KOKO on October 18 in support of their 13th album Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’Est La Vie, musician Suggs – real name Graham McPherson – says they have played Brixton “a couple of times” and are “pleased” it might soon be welcoming back music fans.
“It’s really great,” he told the Standard. “It’s just that bit smaller than an arena. I mean, I like playing any venue but it’s just the perfect size for an audience. I’m so pleased because venues have been struggling anyway since the lockdown [and] it’s a great venue.”
