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.
Stephen Gallagher is an Emmy award-winning composer and music editor who has worked on an extensive range of projects, from global blockbusters to television and contemporary dance. Most recently, he completed the score for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, directed by Kenji Kamiyama. Gallagher’s work spans collaborations with Peter Jackson, Brian Eno, Ed Sheeran, Nick Cave, and many more.
David Long is a composer, performer, founding member of The Mutton Birds, and member of easy listening noise band, Teeth. His career has spanned over 40 years and seen him work on numerous projects to commercial and critical acclaim. In his own words he likes to “mash shit up”, creating orchestral scores that utilise “not only classical instruments but all sorts of things”.
Jules Desmond is an experimental musician from Wellington who has played in bands including Letterbox Lambs, 1/3 Octave Band, Bachelor of Architecture and Black Boned Angel.
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
