Sadiq Khan orders review of event risk Form 696 for targeting grime events
The London Mayor continues his support of underground music culture
London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced his order for the reevaluation of Form 696, a risk assessment application reviewed by the Metropolitan Police for nighttime music events featuring DJs or MCs.
Form 696, which must be submitted for approval 14 days prior to an event by an artist or promoter, is designed to help security and police work with an event's team to minimize the risk of violence or misconduct.
The mandate arose after many industry leaders pushed to Khan that the legislative unit have been targeting grime events in the city.
The required fields of Form 696 ask for information like general contact details, location, security inventory and performers.
Many DJs, rappers and underground artists feel the capital's enforcement group is using details like artist names and stage aliases to racially profile events.
Khan elaborates on the review: "It's vital that live music events can take place safely and that the Met can help venues to lessen the risk of violent behavior. [But it] shouldn't compromise the capital's vibrant grassroots music industry or unfairly target one community or music genre".
This week's meeting to discuss Form 696 was attended by industry professionals, venue owners and artists including Funk Butcher, DJ Ritu and British Underground.
The ongoing review is expected to be complete in 2018.
Sydney is Mixmag's US Digital Content Editor. Follow her on Twitter here