Why We Don't Sell Tickets for The Church

Some people often ask why we don’t sell tickets for our Other Voices Church performances. The answer isn’t simple — there are many reasons — but we’ll do our best to explain.

Whether we’re in Dingle, Cardigan, or beautiful places like London or Cork, our “main stage” performances are usually filmed in a church or another special building. These spaces create an atmosphere like no other, partly because they’re intimate — they typically hold fewer than 200 people. It’s in these small venues that we record the episodes that make up our annual television series, now in its 24th year.

We want everyone to have a chance to experience what it’s like to be at an Other Voices Church recording, so we think the fairest way is to give the tickets away. They’re not just handed out on our social channels — we regularly run competitions with local and national radio stations, print media, and sometimes even the artists themselves. And in recent times, we’ve started doing exclusive Patreon giveaways to thank those who support us throughout the year. 

It’s also important to remember that Other Voices isn’t just a music festival — it’s primarily a television production, and always has been. That means a live show might have a full camera crew in front of the stage, stopping and starting performances to capture the perfect shot, sound, and lighting. We’re chasing perfection, and sometimes perfection can be a bit disruptive! So, it wouldn’t feel right to charge for a show that’s being filmed under those conditions.

We know that if we sold tickets, they’d sell out in seconds — we’re incredibly grateful to have such a loyal community of fans. But we don’t want anyone to have to pay to be part of something that’s about shared experience and discovery. For those who don’t get tickets, we stream the performances live on YouTube and to various local venues, so no one misses out. We love the show we make, we’re proud of it, and we want everyone to see it.

As our fanbase has grown, we’ve also created new ways for people to enjoy live music, even without Church tickets. That’s where our Music Trails come in — they take place in Dingle and Cardigan each year and feature some of the most exciting emerging artists, the future Church performers often cut their teeth here before they make it to the hallowed stage of St James’ or St Mary’s. 

We know many of you come hoping to see your favourite band, and sometimes you’ll get lucky — maybe you’ll catch Lankum, Celeste, Hozier, or The National. But that’s not really the point. The heart of Other Voices is discovery — introducing you to incredible new music you might not know yet. Come for the experience, and we promise you’ll leave with new favourites, unforgettable moments, and a deeper love for what it is we do. 

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