We Love Darkroom

Darkroom Christchurch | Multi Discipline

$16,462 of $10,000 Raised

165%
296 Generous Donors

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Overview

Darkroom is a small live music venue in Ōtautahi Christchurch. After almost 10 years of providing a space for musicians and punters to enjoy live music, the venue is unsure it will be able to open its doors again in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic, without some help. 

Hidden away in a converted warehouse at the industrial end of Ōtautahi's St. Asaph Street, Darkroom opened just months after the February 2011 earthquake, becoming the city's first dedicated live music venue, post-quake. The venue has since become a Christchurch music institution, hosting everyone from Marlon Williams and Mermaidens, to Truth and Tuscoma; as well as providing a platform for the next wave of potential stars, yet to break through.

Open mic nights, art exhibitions, indie, folk, hip hop and electronica artists; to rock, metal, experimental noise and punk bands - the quirky, intimate venue welcomes a diverse range of talent to its little stage.

Co-owner Nick Vassar says that "Darkroom's ethos has never stuck to just one genre or audience demographic. The venue prides itself on encouraging diversity in our line ups and audiences alike - across age, genre, culture, gender, sexuality, and musical ability." 

With the doors currently closed, the bills have not stopped. Vassar explains "we are very grateful to have received the government wage subsidy, and a temporary reduction in rent from our supportive landlord, but our savings buffer is quickly being chewed through and we're now struggling to keep on top of rent and other ongoing bills such as monthly utilities, accounting, and insurance payments.

"With the Boosted campaign we hope to raise $10,000 to help cover up to 3 months of rent and utilities, which will hopefully see us through to the other side."

To coincide with the launch of the venue's fundraising efforts, and the 20th anniversary of NZ Music Month, Darkroom has announced the Darkroom Social Distancing Special, an online gig featuring 24 local Christchurch bands and artists.

Live streaming across Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of May, each act will perform back to back, via Facebook and Boosted Live from 6pm until midnight on both nights. 

Featuring sets from:

Alanna Eileen
BLACK/BLACK/BLUE
Mikey Summerfield of Cowboy Machine
Dusty Hustle
Emma Cameron
Cam Taylor of EnFire
Instant Fantasy
Katie Wright of Too Woke For Toast
Keanu Raves
Levi MFatal
Liam K Swiggs
Model Home
Necrum Select
Josh Braden of No Broadcast
NOTV
Pretty Dumb
Rainbows Fade
Shakin’ Luke Wood’s Head Full of Snakes
Anand Yoganathan of Saint Peter's Thursday
Tim Hunt and David Hunt of Stonehurst (Acoustic set)
There's A Tuesday Between A Monday And Between A Wednesday
Jay Jackman of The Wendys
Thomas Isbister
Thomas Klever of Two Bishop Cult

 

We are pleased to announce our Boosted Campaign has now joined up with an umbrella project, Boosted Live presents #SAVEOURVENUES. This campaign is bringing awareness to the plight of music venues right across the motu, and is being run by a dedicated committee of music lovers  - including Reb Fountain, Matthew Crawley (Golden Dawn / Strange News), Lucy Macrae & Tom Anderson (Whammy Bar), Rohan Evans (The Wine Cellar) and Reuben Bonner (Banished Music).

#saveourvenues aim is to help generate support for crucial, original, small live music venues right across New Zealand, in cities and towns. And they are calling on everyone to help. Anyone can do it – artists, audience members, reviewers, techies, promoters – all of us. First up – please donate now – chip in what you can to make a difference. Next - using the hashtags #saveourvenues and #welovedarkroom post your own video or photo with your memory of the venue as a response and share this with your community along with the link to this page so that your friends can donate too.

Please support your local venues. They need you. 

#saveourvenues #saveourvenuesnz #welovedarkroom #welovedogwithtwotails

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Donors

  • Molly Pickavance

  • Andre Hoppin

  • Anonymous

  • Anonymous

  • Greg Dodds

    Great local venue, small but essential.

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