We are looking to raise funds to secure this venue for the long term.
We're looking to secure funding to purchase the building and safeguard the future and legacy of live music in Ipswich. If we / the community own the building, it will be a music venue for decades.
The Baths is vital to the live music infrastructure in Ipswich, as part of a progression from The Smokehouse (80 cap) to St Stephen’s Church (225 cap) to The Baths (340 cap, potential 450), and then on to the The Corn Exchange (1000 cap) and The Regent (1600 cap).
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 throughout 2022 including Independent Venue Week. In 2022 we secured a further £15k in private donations to install permanent toilets, a real statement of intent and an end to hiring in portaloos for each event. Most recently, we used the venue for Brighten The Corners Festival and it has rapidly become a fan favourite, with an intimate black-box, low-ceiling atmosphere.
Running costs are high but we cannot imagine letting the opportunity of establishing this important venue go to waste. Therefore Sounds East CIC is seeking funding to purchase the building, putting the future of Ipswich’s music scene back in the communities hands. If we are unable to purchase the building, we would then seek investment of 100k per year for 5 years. This will give us the confidence to take on a 10 year lease.
If you would like to help us out, register your interest using the form below.
More information will be coming soon.
The History
Located a stone’s throw from Ipswich Town F.C and the town centre, St Matthews Baths Hall rose to prominence in the late 1960s and early 70s hosting sets by rock legendaries like Led Zeppelin, Cream, Rod Strewart and The Move. The venue doubled as a public swimming pool, with boards laid over it when concerts were held.
Its popularity for touring acts fizzled out in the ‘80s, and over the years, The Baths went through a series of renovations. It most recently existed as a gym, until the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced it to close permanently in 2020.
In 2021, The Baths venue was re-opened as a live music venue for Sound City Ipswich. It saw the likes of Mercury Prize nominees Yard Act, Katy J Pearson, bdrmm, Billy Nomates, Tom Ravenscroft and loads more.
After a huge success at Sound City Ipswich, the venue has continued to be used for live music by the team at Sounds East CIC who also run The Smokehouse and St Stephen’s Church and are responsible for the multi-venue music venue Brighten The Corners.
The Baths has hosted gigs for Independent Venue Week in both 2022 and 2023, and has seen an array of one-off shows under the promotions ‘Brighten The Corners Presents’, previously The Smokehouse Presents. It quickly became a fan favourite venue and also underwent refurbishment, including new toilets and fire exits.
Some highlight performances in The Baths include: Pigsx7, The Orielles, Field Music, This Is The Kit, Porridge Radio, Coops, Lande Hekt, Children of Zeus, Jamz Supernova, DITZ, caroline and many many more.
At Sounds East CIC we are passionate about putting Ipswich onto people’s musical map, becoming a viable touring destination for bigger bands, showcasing the spaces and talent we already have to offer while growing the local music scene and engaging the community.
More information on how you can help will be coming soon.
