Metal-loving vicar wants to turn his church into a gig venue

A vicar who is a fan of Metallica and Nine Inch Nails has applied to the for a live music licence so that his London church can become a gig venue.

Father Tom Plant has written to Camden Council stating that he wants St Michael’s Church to be able to host gigs four nights a week to crowds of 300 people.

Fr Plant, who became the vicar of St Michael’s in January, is seeking to install a bar and sound stage as well as a sound system at the church.

He told The Daily Telegraph: “The stained-glass windows are too high to get smashed, and we’re not talking about a moshpit. It’s not a place to get drunk, but this isn’t a church that shies away from alcohol. We believe Jesus turned water into wine for a reason.”

Fr Plant added that the church would be most likely to host solo and acoustic artists, saying: “We see this outreach, welcoming people in.”

There are already several church venues in London. Union Chapel in nearby Islington has hosted shows by the likes of U2, Noel Gallagher and Bjork; Coldplay launched their album ‘A Head Full Of Dreams’ at St John-at-Hackney, Bon Iver played at St Giles’ in Soho and REM played at St James’ in Piccadilly.