Hosting Sofar Sounds and an Ode to Future Events
Events. We’ve come So-far…
Friend of a friend, so great how that happens. “You should meet, they [Sofar Sounds] could do what they do here”… Thanks Dave (that's Rocker Dave👋).
I then met Peter Nicholson, and he immediately agreed. The prerequisite was, as it says prominently on their website, INTIMATE CONCERTS IN UNIQUE SPACES. And just like that it was agreed, and we got our email, “You are confirmed to host a Sofar on 30th October 2022!”.
We opened our door to a world of new music, we met new people, we saw artists up close and personal, and all in the the comfort of our own space (again quoting the wise words of Sofar Sounds).
“Bloody loved it. I have a passion for live music - I gig regularly, I never imagined I could actually host gigs.”
From COVID to Community Working…
Let’s rewind a bit. This latest incarnation of the Design Chapel actually came about, not just from a friend of a friend, but as a direct result of the pandemic…
The grade II listed chapel has been used as offices since 2005 but early in 2020 along came Covid... everyone retreated home, and we had to reconsider the set up for the future. The challenge was to redesign the space to not just meet the needs of office working in 2022, but also to make the building commercially viable and ensure its ongoing protection.
So, we repurposed the ground floor into a coworking space by day, and designed the space to adapt for other uses by night… what those might be, we weren’t sure at the time, but we just tried to furnish it in such a way that it could be flexible. Initially the thinking was business events. With a 5 metre table that sat 16 in the middle of the room, and it worked well, seating charity committees for evening get-togethers and team training & CPD over breakfast.
But then came a request for the possibility of a glass of wine while people gathered here doing their business of an evening. It took some doing to get licensened, working through all the red tape and some ill informed concerns from local Sotonians. But once the Council and local community knew what we were planning, and that we weren’t turning this grade II listed gem into a PUB😲, everyone was onboard. This has further opened up commercial opportunities, therefore helping the safeguarding of our now well-loved chapel.
“The surprise and excitement of taking part in an event in this former mortuary chapel, is plain to see on visitors faces, and an absolute delight.”
The future of events at the Design Chapel…
We’ve hosted craft fairs, clothes swaps, trading card events, fundraisers to support Ukraine, movie nights, poetry evenings, podcasts, book launches, photoshoots, wine tastings, afternoon teas, illustration & photography workshops, and now a Sofar Gig. WOW!
We are keeping a really open mind and a very welcoming approach… we’d love to hear from you with any business or event ideas we could support you on. Who knows what our beautiful chapel could be doing next - exciting times.
To complete a wonderful picture, Rocker Dave and his band The Outlaw Orchestra played the evening with Sofar as well. And speaking of wonderful pictures, thanks to Peter Nicholson for letting us use his excellent shots for the evening.
Get in touch with Pete via Instagram.
