Take a pew: Not-for-profit Shrewsbury promoter hopes to use more county churches as gig venues

Mr Taylor, who runs SY Gigs on a not-for-profit basis, was motivated to find spaces that could provide for the kind of music that he is a fan of.

"The kind of music I am interested in exploring is alternative, post-classical, electronic, jazz and experimental and indie folk," said Mr Taylor, from Shrewsbury.

"It is the kind of music that pushes the boundaries, so is not indie groups or singer-songwriters.

"They are acts that you don't normally see and I was finding it frustrating to have to travel to see artists I wanted to see."

Mr Taylor said he was not satisfied with what Shrewsbury had to offer, or the kind of venues available, so he began exploring holding music events in churches.

And as last year went so well, he said he would love to expand into other venues.

The concerts have the tagline Letting the Light In, which has a double meaning because it illuminates styles of music that don't normally see the light of day in the town.

And the second meaning is very personal for him because Mr Taylor finds music is good for his mental health.

"I have had depression for quite a time and music is a key for me," he said. "Music has always lifted me."

And being in churches, with their sound quality and reason for being, he says they are spiritual places.

"The ambient nature of music works well in church spaces where the resonance is really good," he said.

But he adds that "there is no undertone of religion" in the concerts which are open for all faiths and none and they provide spaces where people get together.

Mr Taylor said as SY Gigs is run on a not-for-profit basis he is keen to keep ticket prices as low as possible and has attracted support and sponsorship, including from planning consultants at Berrys.

So each of the 115 seats at the Unitarian Church and the 260 at St Alkmund's are priced at around £17. He also offers concessions and wants to attract more young people.

Mr Taylor, who used to be a programme manager looking at digital connectivity during a 40-year career in local government, says the first two events of his 2024 season have been well-received and sold out.

Next up is Miles Spilsbury from Brighton on March 20. He is a saxophonist, composer and multi-instrumentalist. He has been a permanent member of celebrated avant-rock experimentalists The Physics House Band since 2018.

He has performed at prestigious UK venues such as the Southbank Centre and the London Jazz Festival, and has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Japan.

He will be playing music from his debut album Light Manoeuvres and improvisations with a group, straying between jazz, new age, free improvisation and everything between.

To book tickets to this gig and all future events visit SY.Gigs.

SY Gigs is on Facebook, Instagram and Linktree.