LEGENDS IS CLOSING DOWN

 As you may or may not have heard, Edinburgh Metal, Rock and Hardcore venue Legends (also known as Opium) is being bought over by Encore (which will be a Cocktail Bar) and closing down.

 11th of January, 2025 EHHC promo put up their first show and also MY first ever hardcore show at Legends. Since then, we've had over 6 EHHC bands come rolling in and it would be disgraceful not to give thanks to Legends for this. Hardcore in Edinburgh could not have happened WITHOUT Legends. Other venues are either not suitable for dancing, not suitable for DIY or not accessible to everyone.

 It is heartbreaking to lose this venue, which is a staple and immensely important to Scotland's hardcore scene and all of Edinburgh's music scenes. Even worse than that, the way Encore have handled this situation is absolutely heartless. 

 As if taking over such an important place away from so many different communities wasn't enough, they don't care to have the courtesy to hand staff and said community one last night; forcing them to take it on their own. Friday the 13th will mark what we currently know as Legends' last day operating. EHHC's last show in Legends was on the 6th of March 2026.

 Encore, you bought Legends over fair and square. That being said? Me and a lot of other people are absolutely raging. You took something completely irreplacable from us to put your dime a dozen bar in its place. The near-death grannies and divorced MILFs who go to your joint can walk 5 minutes more and get the same experience, we can not and we might never be able to now. No one from Encore is reading this but still, as a journalist, I would like to hand over the kindest and most professional "fuck you" I have to give out. RIP Legends (for now), always DIY and always true.