The Victorian city of Geelong is set to welcome a new music venue to its ranks next month, with Church – a restored 1800s church on Ryrie Street – officially set to open.
It’s an intimate venue, allowing for 150 punters standing or 100 people sitting down. The restored, reimagined space will allow for “live music, stand-up, pop-up performances, album launches, new original works, storytelling experiences and artistic collaborations.”
The space has undergone significant restoration and upgrade works, courtesy of the Geelong Arts Centre, which has been determined to return Church to the community. Works at the venue have included structural improvements, acoustic treatment, and new indoor fittings, bringing it to a new professional standard while retaining its historic character.
According to a press release, affordability is key to running Church – independent artists won’t face upfront costs when looking to hire the space, and the Geelong Arts Centre will provide its expertise in operations, marketing and ticketing to keep the space running smoothly.
To celebrate Church’s opening, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers will perform a rare, intimate gig at the venue on Friday, 14 August. Bless This Mess – an afternoon of free gigs by six local artists – will take place the following day.
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Other artists set to perform at the venue include Darcie Haven, Lotte Gallagher, Tyne James Organ, Surf Coast local Immy Owusu, Bellarine-based singer-songwriter Nathan Seeckts, and Geelong’s own Madeleine Cope. You can find the gig guide on Church’s website.
Geelong Arts Centre’s CEO and Creative Director Rhys Holden said of the launch of Church, “Geelong’s independent music and arts scene is bursting with talent, and Church gives that talent somewhere to truly call home.
“This is something we have wanted to create for a long time – a genuinely accessible, artist-led space where independent performers can take risks, build audiences, and grow their practice. It’s an intimate room made for live performance in all its raw glory, and we are proud to open its doors to Geelong’s creative community.”
Madeleine Cope added, “Having a space like Church in Geelong is huge for local artists. It gives us the freedom to create events that genuinely reflect who we are and bring our ideas to life exactly as we imagine them. Launching my EP here feels incredibly special, and I’m so excited to be part of everything this space is set to become.”
