Leeds’ Wire club to shut permanently in June

Leeds’ Wire club is to close permanently at the start of June.

The 300-capacity nightclub is one of the city’s best-loved electronic music venues, with news of its closure emerging via social media earlier today (Friday, 19th April). A statement shared by the club’s management cited the cost-of-living crisis, as well as other difficulties within the nightlife sector, as reasons for the decision to close for good.

“Since reopening after the pandemic the UK nightlife industry had been under immense pressure which we have not been immune to,” the club’s statement said. “The cost-of-living crisis and changing lifestyle choices coinciding with other looming commercial challenges unique to the venue has gradually led to the unavoidable outcome that the club can no longer operate as a viable business.”

Wire opened in July 2005, replacing former club Think Tank and opting to push a music programme that was focused on underground electronic bookings. It’s been a home for a number of promoters over the years, including local collectives On Rotation and Butter Side Up, as well as Pearson Sound’s vinyl-focused Acetate parties.

The club will host its final event on Saturday, 1st June, with the line-up for that party still under wraps. Before then, the likes of Vladimir Ivkovic, Hamish & Toby, Vlada, Dave Clarke, and more are set to play the venue.

Read Wire’s statement in full below.

Earlier this year, Music Venue Trust revealed 2023 was the UK’s “worst year for venue closures” with 125 grassroots spaces being lost.

Liverpool’s Melodic Distraction and Leeds’ Sheaf St are among the grassroots venues to have closed in the UK in 2023.