The church pulling in music lovers for nave gigs

Annie and the Caldwells appeared at the church in August

"Music is the heart and soul of this place," says Reverend Mike Trotman as he reflects on his church being used as a venue for midweek live gigs.

The 19th Century St Peter's Church in Parkstone, Poole, has been hosting a series of sell-out gigs with performers on a stage on the nave, under its large vaulted ceiling.

At a time when musicians are struggling with a lack of venues, it introduces a 400-seat-capacity setting to the local music scene.

Rev Trotman admitted the idea "raised a few eyebrows" when he was initially approached by a music promoter.

The collaboration with the Warm agency has brought artists such as acclaimed Mississippi family band Annie and the Caldwells and Watford indie folk-duo, The Staves.

The church has hosted a series of sell-out concerts

Although the vicar described himself as a music lover, he insisted the "right" kind of music was needed in the church.

"Maybe thrash metal is a no," he said.

He said the church has been "flourishing" since the series began.

"I think it actually deepens our role because it enhances the beauty, the sense of gathering, and the sense of being a community in this space.

"I'm not going to lie, it does put some money in the coffers and it helps to actually sustain us as a functioning church, and it keeps the show on the road on Sundays."

Classed as a major parish church, its size means St Peter's is known locally as "Poole's cathedral".

"It's designed to create a sense of awe and wonder as we look down the nave, it's a really special place," the vicar added.

"It's really exciting that people still identify this as being their church.

"And churches are designed to be a community hub and a cultural hub and it's great that we're getting new, old and familiar faces returning."

The Staves were among the first artists to appear at St Peter's Church

For the musicians, it makes a change from typical concert venues.

Folk duo The Staves described the church as "a gorgeous space".

Camilla Staveley-Taylor said: "It's just a beautiful room - really large, high ceilings and loads of reverb, which is everything you want when you're singing harmonies together.

"It makes one voice sound huge. And it makes two voices sound even bigger."

They admit playing in a church can be testing.

Her sister Jessica said: "I think the challenge sometimes is to make the audience relax, because there's a certain mindset that if you're going into church, you're going to be quiet and well behaved.

"So I think we try and just put people at ease and say, 'it's a gig, we can chill'.

The 19th Century church is known as 'Poole's cathedral'

Figures from the Music Venue Trust show that on average two grassroots music venues per month are permanently closing across the UK, and over two fifths ran at a loss in the last year.

Camilla Staveley-Taylor said: "Especially post-Covid, lots of the small and mid-sized venues died out

"They're just the lifeblood of what we do. We need them,

"Especially as people don't buy records anymore, playing live is incredibly important and having a place to do that and new places like this is really, really important."

With forthcoming acts including Tom Smith from Editors, Fionn Regan and Chartreuse, promoter Ali Tillett is already looking at booking dates well into 2026.

"There isn't anything of this size in terms of venue in the local area, and that's why they love it," he said.

"It's very hard to find amazing spaces. And that's the best thing about this place is it's unique.

"And just seeing from the first concert how people come into the church and how they embrace it is remarkable and it's so lovely to see."