How a south Liverpool church became one of the city’s coolest live music venues

It only holds a crowd of 250 – 200 in pews and the rest in seats either side – but a south Liverpool church has become one of the city’s coolest live music venues.

The historic Grade I listed St Michael’s-in-the-Hamlet Church used to be known for its distinctive cast iron architecture but now it’s famous for another reason – St Michael’s Live.

Over the past four years, it’s attracted famous names from the music industry including Paul Weller, Cast frontman John Power, Chris Difford from Squeeze and American soul singer P.P. Arnold.

Tickets for a show in May by Bernard Butler, ex of Suede, were snapped up and there’s a waiting list.

Organisers expect to put on around 20 shows altogether in 2025, with a line-up combining well known artists and local emerging bands and singers.

Although it’s now developed a life of its own, St Michael’s Live began as a way to raise funds for the neighbouring St Michael’s Primary School.

Musician Steve Pilgrim got involved to help out and the idea has just kept on growing.

He explains: “The school approached me and asked if I’d look at the church because they were thinking of doing a music event there. When the vicar showed me around it was obvious it was going to be a really special place.

“The main church building was stunning – the shape of the room, the beautiful stained glass window, the altar. 

“The first show we put on was pre-Covid then everyone went into lockdown, but the idea was still there that we could do something once events were allowed to happen again. It wasn’t until the end of 2021 that we put the first one on and we did three shows that year.

“The church was happy for us to put something on because it’s good for footfall, activity and income, and it’s bringing people into the space that wouldn’t necessarily otherwise go there.”

Steve, who’s had a 25-year career in the music business including as a drummer on tour with Paul Weller, kicked St Michael’s Live off by going through his own contacts.

“I knew a few people I’ve worked with over the years which was really helpful at the start and then one thing led to another – one artist would have the same agency as another so then it was easy to build relationships and that’s how it’s grown organically.”

Having Paul Weller play there in 2023 certainly helped put St Michael’s on the map as a credible live music venue.

“He’d seen photographs from previous events – we’d already had Chris Difford, John Power and John Smith who’s a big name on the English folk scene – and I’d been raving about it,” says Steve. 

“We wanted to do something for charity, he’s into supporting that kind of thing, and we managed to raise £14,000 for a foodbank in town, Micah Liverpool, on one night.”

Despite its success, Steve says they’re not looking to make St Michael’s into a full-time venue space at weekends. It’s still very much an active church, holding weekly services on Wednesday and Sunday mornings as well as weddings, funerals and baptisms.

The line-up also has to be carefully planned to take into account the unique nature of the space.

“We work closely with Rob who’s the in-house engineer because anything past a certain volume doesn’t work so we can’t host punk or metal bands. It’s got to be at the acoustic end of things but if it stays within that level it’s really nice for natural acoustics and reverbs.

“St Michael’s Live is run on limited licences, so we look to do 15-20 shows a year depending on what comes up and what offers we get. 

“We run our headline shows alongside St Michael’s Sessions which are multi-artist nights. We try to bring in more locally-based artists and have maybe three per show with more of a balanced billing so each artist gets a longer set. 

“They work really well and they’re a way for us to support local acts, not just have the bigger name touring artists.”

The best way to keep up to date with what’s coming up at St Michael’s Live is via Instagram: @stmichaelslive

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