The O2 Academy in Brixton will reopen next month – 16 months after a deadly crush at the venue.

Security guard Gaby Hutchinson, who was from Gravesend, was one of two people killed when ticketless fans tried to force their way into a show by Nigerian artist Asake on December 15, 2022.

The 23-year-old was working as a security dog handler at the event and died alongside concertgoer Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, while a 21-year-old woman was injured.

The south London venue faced permanent closure after the Met Police urged the council to remove its licence.

However, following a two-day hearing in September, Lambeth Council’s licensing sub-committee voted to allow the venue to continue operating – so long as it meets “77 extensive and robust new conditions”.

It has now been confirmed the first shows at the venue will feature tribute acts, rather than famous bands.

A statement on X, formally Twitter, said: “O2 Academy Brixton will reopen on Friday, April 19, with Nirvana UK (a tribute to Nirvana) and The Smyths (a tribute to The Smiths), followed by Friday, April 26 with Definitely Mightbe (a tribute to Oasis) and UK Food Fighters (a tribute to Foo Fighters).”

About 1,000 people were outside the venue and police found “large-scale disorder” with crowds eventually pushing the doors open, according to Gerald Gouriet KC, who represented the Met at an earlier licensing meeting.

When the doors were breached the crowd poured into the lobby towards the auditorium and surged over people who had fallen to the floor.

The company which owns the Brixton Academy, Academy Music Group (AMG), said it had developed new safety measures to have its licence restored, including stronger doors, a better queuing system and more secure ticketing.

AMG said changes to its operating policies had been developed by “leading professionals” to prevent a repeat of last year’s events.

The venue has spent £1.2 million on maintenance and improvements in 2023, despite being closed, a hearing was told.

Following the ruling, Brixton Academy said it was “immensely grateful” to Lambeth Council and looked forward to welcoming fans back.

The Met also said at the time that officers will work with AMG and Lambeth Council to ensure the public can enjoy events at the venue again