Legendary Leeds hardcore, punk & metal venue Boom has announced its closure in March 2025. Located in Byron Street Mills, a historic building on the eastern edge of the city centre – the closure has not been consensual.
Credit: Niamhcapture
In a strongly worded statement on their Substack, the grassroots venue expresses that their landlord has forced them out. A redevelopment is on the cards – flats and shops to take their place.
Boom is a venue no stranger to struggle: they have been very vocal over the past 5 or so years regarding their plight. The pandemic, rising costs and deep changes in the music industry have plagued the venue.
Nevertheless, Boom survived these challenges – head held high. It seems however, they cannot rise above the brutal march of gentrification.
At The State of the Arts, we unfortunately are no strangers to covering the gentrification of our city’s cultural venues (1, 2). It deeply saddens us to be reporting on this once more.
Hopefully, it’s not all doom and gloom. In their statement Boom are defiant and determined to relocate to a different location.
Boom, we wish you the best. If any of our readers have the chance to visit their final few shows, please do.
Let’s hold our heads up high and mosh.
Credit: Niamhcapture
Comments