Boom Leeds has announced the first shows in its new Canalside location for later this month.
The beloved venue was forced to close its doors at its Millwright Street location, where it had been since 2013, in March after a lengthy battle during and after the pandemic to stay open. Their landlord decided to terminate their lease and turn the building into flats and shops.
At the time of announcing the closure, the venue’s team said it was looking to redevelop the venue in a new location. This was made possible thanks to a string of benefit gigs and a crowdfunding campaign.
Now, Boom has confirmed its new location will open later this month on Armley Road, next door to the 1,000 capacity venue Project House. It has also said that when complete, it will house a live music space, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, extra event rooms and education and community facilities.
The first show in the new premises will take place on May 21 with Leeds hardcore band Bodyweb (containing members of Higher Power) headlining and support from Long
Goodbye, imissyoualready, Crowquil and Monroe.
Inhuman Nature will headline on May 22 with support from Grief Ritual, Sidewinder and Hard Stare. A Boom Garage show taking place on the same day with Indikator B, Korido, Scab and Thick Water performing, while Ratos de Porão, Tormented Imp and Internal Riot will play on May 30.
The venue’s crowdfunder remains open for donations.
In January 2024, NME spoke to several bands who cut their teeth at Boom, including Static Dress, Higher Power and Pest Control about what the venue means to them.
“To me and many others, Boom is a second home,” said Static Dress frontman Olli Appleyard. “It’s a home of so much culture and not just one specific genre either – punk, metal, hardcore, grindcore – all the stuff which wouldn’t normally have a place. It’s a place which allows international artists to come through and play shows, and it allows a safe place for all these things to exist.”
“If people didn’t get to experience Boom,” said Higher Power guitarist Max Harper, “it would be very, very sad. Leeds would definitely not have the scene that it has without Boom – maybe the desire for other people to travel to Leeds for shows wouldn’t be there as much. There are other small venues too, but Boom has been the constant and the foundation, and probably the inspiration for people because it’s a very encouraging space.”
Pest Control frontwoman Leah Massey-Hay added: “The first couple of times going to Boom, I felt like I’d found my niche. It provided a space and a social life for people like me who at the time didn’t have a lot else going on.”
Massey-Hay reiterated the venue’s importance during another recent interview with NME. “Without places like Boom, the scene wouldn’t be as great as it is, but if anything was to happen to Boom – fingers crossed it doesn’t – there’ll be enough people willing to put the work in to make another version of that. I think that’s what makes it so great.”