Rumors, a scrappy, DIY venue carved out of some unused space above the venerable Mulligan’s in Biddeford, will shut down on Sunday, barring an act of God or a miracle of equal measure from some other unlikely source.
“We’re closing our doors as of Sunday because the building is being sold,” Rumors mastermind Austin Hunter-Melanson told That Portland Sound in an exclusive interview.
In the roughly two years or so that Rumors was in full-on operation, the room became an important venue for both touring acts and emerging bands looking for a toehold in the competitive southern Maine music milieu, particularly in the hardcore and folkpunk scenes. Rumors routinely featured live music four or five nights a week.
The Portland Press Herald reported news of the Mulligan’s closing on Wednesday, but Hunter-Melanson said he got the news on Tuesday, and that he’s been working hard to find new venues for the bands that had gigs on the books through June and beyond since word came down.
“I’m trying to move the shows instead of just cancelling them,” he said. “We’ve got a few spots that might work. The Bassix warehouse in Portland might work for some, and Pat at the Apohadion in Portland said he might be able to take a few shows, and there are a few other options that might work out, too.”
Beyond that, though, Hunter-Melanson said he’s looking for a new home for Rumors.
To help finance the move, he’s planning a day-long event featuring live music, local artists, makers, and vendors on Saturday, June 6, from 3pm to 11pm — possibly at Rumors, pending special dispensation from the powers that be.
Regardless of where that show happens, though, Hunter-Melanson said he’s thankful to everybody who helped make Rumors into something special.
“I just want to thank all the people who’ve helped make Rumors a success. I’ve spent he past two years putting everything I had into this place and it’s sad to see it go, but the whole community is really rallying behind us,” he said.