"After 13 years of existence and hosting nearly 2000 shows in front of 350,000 crazy fans, the Coop Katacombes will be closing its doors on December 31st 2019," organizers wrote in a statement posted to the venue's Facebook page.
They continued: "We would like to thank all of our partners, the promoters and bands with whom we worked and collaborated throughout the last decade, it has been a pure pleasure to build the scene we know as of today. Also a huge thanx to all the supporters and fans that attended the shows and other events at our space, we will never forget you!"
While a reason for the decision was not revealed in the statement, freelance journalist Tracey Lindeman quoted a venue owner saying Katacombes will close "because the building is in bad shape and the landlord won't do any renovations and also the rent is so expensive we cannot go on much more..."
Katacombes officially opened in November 2006. The 325-person venue was founded by Janick Langlais and Claudie Boulet, who had previously owned now-shuttered all-ages venue Salle L'X.
Organizers revealed they are organizing a series of farewell shows for the month of December, and venue bookings are still open ahead of the closure date. You can find their complete statement below.
Factors including skyrocketing rent prices, new developments and renovations have seen venues close in urban centres across Canada these past few years.
In Toronto alone, live music spaces that have shut their doors since 2017 include Soybomb HQ, Double Double Land, the Hoxton, Coalition, Faith/Void, Holy Oak, UNIUN and the Silver Dollar Room.
See Lindeman's various tweets about the Katacombes closure below.
The reason why Katacombes is closing, in the owners' words: "because the building is in bad shape and the landlord won't do any renovations and also the rent is so expensive we cannot go on much more...so sad" cc @CraigSauve
— Tracey Lindeman (@traceylindeman) October 24, 2019
I've seen hundreds of shows at Katacombes and its all-ages predecessor, L'X.
— Tracey Lindeman (@traceylindeman) October 24, 2019
It's a real loss for the city's punk, metal and alternative communities. The city needs more small and mid-sized venues. There's less and less space for DIY and alternative music.
And if you think these are fringe communities, you're wrong. These styles of music draw tens of thousands of people to the city each year for annual punk and metal festivals. Club shows are routinely sold out. There's massive demand, and a shortage of support.
— Tracey Lindeman (@traceylindeman) October 24, 2019
La Coop Katacombes ferme ses portes en décembre. Bummer.
— Kevin Laforest (@KevinLaforest) October 24, 2019