EVENT REPORT: Halloween at Boom, five nights, one community!

October was busy. On the surface: packed rooms and a full Halloween run. Behind the scenes: building, fixing, painting, and getting the space ready for more gigs (in a brand new room, with double the space).

Fri 17 Oct, Charity night
Dads Against The Machine (Rage Against the Machine cover band), all in aid of PAFRAS Leeds & Basis Yorkshire. PAFRAS supports refugees and people seeking asylum in Leeds - working to end destitution and advocate for rights, with practical help like food, casework and mental health support.

Basis Yorkshire supports women and non-binary people in the sex industry, and women and young people affected by sexual exploitation - focused on safety, advocacy and empowerment.

Thank you for packing it out and donating. You helping us means we can help the wider community even more. We’re pleased to announce Sisters in Solidarity, who hosted the gig, raised over £400 on the night.

Sun 26 Oct, Grisly Tales
Yorkshire Ghost Tours took over the room - shout out to Spindleshanks McScrew for hosting (great name).

Proper goosebumps stuff - jump scares, local lore, that hush you only get when a full room leans in at once. Loved seeing gig-regulars bring their mates and families, plus a few people who told us it was their first time at Boom. Something different, and it worked.

Want more nights like this alongside the shows? Tell us in the comments below - if you’re into it, we’ll book more.

Mon 27 Oct, Pumpkin Carving Social
60 pumpkins. 60 people. Some came solo, left with new pals. We literally hauled 50 pumpkins to the venue!

The room turned into a friendly mess of seeds and stencils. Pop-punk, emo and pure pop on rotation; tables covered in pumpkin guts; staff doing the rounds with bin bags and spare tools. We even spun up an impromptu carving competition.

Winners walked away with gig tickets and a crate of energy drinks thanks to our good friends at Rockstar Energy. Big thanks to them for backing a small, silly, very wholesome night.

Fri 31 Oct, Halloween Party w/ @the900banduk
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack… live. We expected to be joined by The 900 (Tony Hawk cover band), obviously. What we didn’t expect was a cameo from the Mystery Gang - full costumes, a bit of drag, and just the right amount of chaos. Sarcasm aside: it was sick.

There was moshing, stage-diving and crowd-surfing from the first riff. A night to remember with a lot of laughs - massive shout to everyone who dressed up (special points for the person with the cupholder in their giant axe - don’t ask).

Opening duties went to Dan’s Girlfriend, who were absolutely incredible - live sax, female lead on top form, and a very special Ghostbusters cover.

Sat 1 Nov, BODYWEB release show
The long awaited Bodyweb album release show - celebrating ‘deadwired’. Intense and cathartic - everything we love about this scene.

After the live set, Bodyweb (PQ + Louis) took over for a DJ set with guests - Jungle, DnB and UK bass.

If you caught our last Substack, you’ll know we were awarded our full licence - so when the room’s still buzzing, we can stay open as late as you want.

Photo drop

You’ve been asking - here are the shots from Halloween. Spot yourself? Tag your mates.

Why we do this

To every artist, every volunteer, and our partners for making this week happen. Couldn’t do it without you.

Boom is more than gigs. It’s fundraisers, ghost stories, socials, and any excuse to bring people together. This month proved it. We’re going to do more of this, regular community nights alongside the heavy stuff.

Quick favour

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