A very unusual music venue will play host to one of the most intriguing musical showcases in Liverpool.
St.Brides Church on Catherine Street, Liverpool, is a place synonymous with religious worship. However once a month it opens its doors to the music community as The Family Folk-Up takes over the altar.
The evening is organised by two Liverpool based music promoters, (and also members of resident band The Random Family) Paul Riley and Will Hughes, who are no strangers to putting on their own live events. Their previous project, Cheap Thrills Music, gained much recognition in and around the city with their shows attracting an eclectic array of artists such as John Gomm, Foreign Beggars, Fingathing and DJ Food.
They are still pulling in the big names as last month they had folk legend Martin Carthy, a man credited with influencing none other than, Bob Dylan. On this months scheduled event they have a young woman who is currently taking the folk world by storm, singer and multi-instrumentalist Nancy Elizabeth, 23.
The relationship between The Family Folk-Up and St. Bride's began last summer: "We were trying to find somewhere to cater to our music and that would best suit the gentle, easy listening tones of folk music" said Paul.
The church was looking for a way to bring the community back in. Barbara Valentine, the church's warden said: "Two years ago it was under threat of closure. We needed a way of promoting the church. Together with Guy (Elsmore, the church Reverend) we decided to offer something different."
St. Brides adopted a new approach and a new slogan, ‘Creative, Progressive, Inclusive', which as Paul said: "continued on the ideas" of the Family Folk-Up.
"It felt as if we had come home," he added, "It's perfect, it feels so right."
The old neo-classical building, which dates back to 1829, is also used as a recording studio, an extra provision for tear-a-way kids, a homeless shelter and a support centre for refugees and asylum seekers. It also takes faith into the new age as it often has conferences on gay and lesbian rights. For more information on all the events at St. Brides, visit www.stbridesliverpool.com
In Paul's opinion it's "the best venue in Liverpool." The Family Folk-Up is quickly building up a following. It is one of the most interesting music events currently around and in St. Brides Church they have the city's best kept secret live music venue. And considering you're allowed to bring your own drinks it also has to be one of the coolest venues in town.
