Wellington’s iconic Old St Paul’s (OSP) will play host to a transcendent new series in August, partnering with Pyramid Club to present Altared States, a unique electronic music experience. Set beneath the exquisite stained-glass windows of one of Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s most exquisite landmarks, this series promises an immersive sonic experience that invites audiences to explore sound in a deeply personal and transformative way.
Altared States is inspired by Brian Sweeney’s New York-founded Ambient Church, an initiative dedicated to collaborating with artists to create transformative audio performances in architecturally significant spaces. This series will immerse attendees in soundscapes that transcend the ordinary, offering a chance to disconnect for a moment from the modern world.
Each of the evenings will bring a different electronic vibe, conjured by some of Wellington’s most innovative artists. The series lineup includes:
August 1: Ludus
August 8: Stephen Gallagher with David Long and Jules Desmond
August 15: Oghum
August 22: Dream Chambers
Set within the chancel at the altar of the venue, each artist will perform a 60-minute immersive sound experience that redefines ritual in a contemporary light.
Jess Chambers is a composer, musician, and educator currently based in Aotearoa New Zealand, and working under the moniker Dream Chambers. From her beginnings as a folk singer to her current explorations in electronic music, she experiments with sound as a practice of attention: to a room, an outer world, an inner feeling. It’s in that space of beholding where transformation and connection occur, and Chambers is a master alchemist, likening that stretch of attention in music to growing a garden: “There’s a lot of searching, reaching and eventual blossoming in my music – it feels like coming up from underground, like a tulip bulb.”
Limited tickets available via UTR
Old St Paul's is located 34 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon
Special thanks to CNZ for supporting Pyramid Club's programme
