A Liverpool photographer documents memorable nights at The Kazimier 10 years after it closed

A Liverpool photographer has documented years of legendary events at The Kazimier, 10 years after it closed for good.

John Johnson came back to live in the city centre in 2010 and discovered the venue for the first time. 

He started going regularly and photographing various nights including gigs by Sleaford Mods, Blossoms, Buzzcocks, Miles Kane, Michael Kiwanuka and Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band and lots more.

He was also there when it all came to a memorable end with a sci-fi themed New Year’s Eve farewell party, Escape To Planet Kronos.

Now Bootle-born John has decided to give The Kaz the tribute it deserves – a book filled with images taken over five years which capture some very special times.

Called ‘No Place Like ‘Holme’, as a nod to its Wolstenholme Square home, the book features over 80 full colour photos which he describes as “a snapshot into some of those nights that took place inside that wondrous space.”

“I moved back to the city after quite a few years away travelling, landed in the Ropewalks area and this was the place on everyone’s lips,” says John.

“Wolstenholme Square was somewhere I wouldn’t normally venture to before I went away, I was more in the Krazyhouse, but I’d heard about this place and once you went in it was a whole new world.

“I loved going there as a punter, mostly importantly, but I also knew how everyone else who went there felt about the place. You could see how much joy had gone into creating it, and you felt that as a punter.

“I started taking the pictures from 2010 until the very end, the closing night, which was legendary. Escape From Planet Kronos was space-themed and they hired a giant crane and built this spaceship that they had lifted over The Kazimier. 

“Then, because I live around the corner, I even went back when it was getting demolished so I was able to document that as well.”

John was given unprecedented access by The Kazimier’s owners, meaning he could build up a large archive of images.

“They were always so accommodating of me going in with a camera. With most places you get the first three songs and then a lot of the time you’re out, but they knew I wasn’t too intrusive and there was that mutual respect. It was such a special place for me cutting my teeth and learning about live music.

“When I came to put the book together I had so many photos – there were a lot I’d completely forgotten about and lot that were awful, but I got it down to around 500 and then I had to whittle it down again and again.

“There were so many really good gigs and one-off events, and there’s more than one moment especially from those crazy evenings that you’d like to put in, but you can really only have a little snapshot of those times.” 

Like his previous projects, which have captured everything from the Klopp era and Goodison years to Concert Square nightlife, this latest book is a piece of Liverpool social history.

John explains:

“It’s all connected to documenting the city and everyone’s leisure time,”

As for There’s No Place Like ‘Holme, he hopes it will bring back some great memories of The Kazimier.

“It’s just my little thank you for the experiences I had there, and I know a lot of other people will look at it and will have had similar experiences.”

Find out more about the book, and how to buy it, here.

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