Live Music in Ipswich
THE BATHS
St Matthews Court | Civic Drive | Ipswich | IP1 2QA
340 capacity
The Baths is the venue that Ipswich has been calling for. Located a stones throw from Ipswich Town F.C and the town centre, St Matthews Baths Halls were used for live music in the late 1960s and early 70s with boards being laid over the pool to make way for audiences.
The venue hosted legendary acts including Led Zeppelin, Cream and The Move before being modernised in the 1980s and repurposed as a social club and then a gym.
In 2021 we secured a £45K grant to create new fire exits increasing capacity from 100 to 340. Further investment will allow us to increase capacity to 450. We used the venue successfully for Sound City 2021 and Independent Venue Week 2022, with further gigs booked in throughout 2022.
Previous bookings: Porridge Radio, Yard Act, Billy Nomates, Pigs x7, Katy J Pearson, Children of Zeus, Truemendous, Field Music, This Is The Kit, The Orielles, Girls of the Internet, Caroline, Andy Bell
THE SMOKEHOUSE
South Street Studios | Ipswich | IP1 3NU
80 capacity
Opened in 2016, The Smokehouse is an 80-capacity micro-venue in the heart of the most diverse ward in Ipswich and Suffolk. Hosting over 100 gigs per year (put on by external promotors and bands), The Smokehouse offers first rung opportunities to young and aspiring artists, promotors and DJs. The venue is driven by volunteers with a DIY aesthetic enabling artists to reach new audiences and further their potential. In addition to 3rd party hires we program over 25 shows in the venue per year.
The Smokehouse provides industry leading equipment including PA, backline and lighting ensuring both artists and audience have the highest quality experience. The venue can also stream high quality HD multi-camera video with crystal-clear mixed audio in-sync.
Previous bookings: Penelope Isles, Ishmael Ensemble, Snapped Ankles, Robyn Hitchcock, Warmduscher, TOY, W.H. Lung
ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH
St Stephens Church Lane | Ipswich | IP1 1DP
225 capacity
Since 2019, through test events and festivals, we have worked to prove the need for a next-step music venue for Ipswich.
In winter 2022, with a total of £450k investment from Ipswich Borough Council and SIGIF Grant funding, we will be making improvements to the Church in order to reopen as a 225-capacity music and arts venue in spring 2023.
St Stephen’s Church is in the centre of Ipswich and will bridge the gap between sister venues, The Smokehouse and The Baths. The Church enables the next level of touring bands to visit and further secures Ipswich on the national touring circuit. The venue will also have a daytime and twilight offer with a café/bar and space available to hire.
Previous bookings: TV Priest, Chubby & the Gang, Los Bitchos, Grove, PVA, Shunaji, Noon Garden, Prima Queen