Historic church becomes Rochdale’s newest home for live music

Rochdale will host a couple of firsts on Friday, with the launch of the Early Doors Club concerts in St Chad’s Church.

The Early Doors Club hosts high-quality live music without expensive tickets, late nights or having to trek into the city centre.

The ethos is the doors open early, music starts early, you’re home by nine, and you pay what you can afford.

The events started in Wigan, with gigs on in cafes, churches and social clubs instead of the usual venues, and is now coming to Rochdale.

The Early Doors Club shared: “Our first show there is a good one. Liam Fender, a songwriter of real depth and honesty and yes, Sam Fender’s big brother, though he’s very much his own artist.

“We’re opening the doors on our new Rochdale venue in style, welcoming Liam Fender back to The Early Doors Club for the very first show at St Chad’s Church.

The Early Doors Club at St Chad’s Church

“It’s a fitting way to open a new chapter for The Early Doors Club, an intimate evening of honest songwriting inside a beautiful, centuries-old church that’s about to become Rochdale’s newest home for live music.

“A lifelong musician finally getting the critical acclaim he deserves as he steps out with his debut official release, Liam is a musical underdog and living proof that music truly can be a calling, as he says ‘I haven’t chosen to do this, it’s just in my DNA’.

“His earthy, honest and optimistic songs showcase an artist more than capable of standing on his own two feet.

Describing his music as post-industrial romance and mining from a rich seam of artists like Richard Hawley, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and John Martyn alongside the heritage of Newcastle, Liam Fender’s songs have a story to tell.

“They’re down to earth, genuine, and interesting, much like the man behind the music.”

This is the first of a series of Early Doors shows.

Doors open at 5pm and the show will have finished by 8pm

For tickets, click here.

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