Kate Walters Tranforms A Church Into A Live Music Venue: St John At Hackney Church

St John at Hackney welcomes two kinds of congregations. One of them attends religious services, the other is a fan of live music which plays each week from Thursdays to Fridays.
The 18th Century listed landmark lends  its vast bowl like inner structure, high ceilings and massive windows to sound , providing artists and their fans  with a sensational acoustic arena. Venue Director Kate Walters has transformed the church into one of London’s hottest new music venues.

The process started with a forward thinking dean, Rob Wickham  who removed the pews and obtained a license for 1400 persons. Kate joined later and gave her 10 years experience in the industry to get iconic artists to program their gigs at the church. So far, Jessie Ware, Bloc Party, Jamie XX and Coldplay have performed and many more are scheduled to appear.
The 2017 restoration project will allow the venue to become even more professional than it already is . Yet according to Kate Walters, the essence of the St John’s should be kept intact as it is the balance between the worshippers and music fans that makes the church a singular location

www.stjohnathackney.org

Text by Tamara Akcay