Vicar applies for licence to put on boozy gigs in Camden church: 'Jesus turned water into wine for a reason'

Father Tom Plant is a fan of heavy metal bands Metallica and Nine Inch Nails

Gigs like this one as part of Camden Crawl could become a four-times weekly occurence (Getty Images)

Not all vicars choose hymns over heavy rock as one Camden clergyman is proving.

Metallica, Portishead and Nine Inch Nails fan Father Tom Plant, 37, has applied for to the council for a licence to host live gigs at his church. If granted, up to 300 music lovers would be able to enjoy the shows four nights weekly at St Michael’s Church.

Plant, who became vicar at the church in January, is also looking to set up a bar to serve alcohol to gig-goers, as well as a full sound system and stage. He intends to invite mainly solo acoustic singers and poets to perform, as well as welcoming Christian festivals.

“The stained-glass windows are too high to get smashed and we’re not talking about a moshpit,” he told The Telegraph. “It’s not a place to get drunk, but this isn’t a church that shies away from alcohol. We believe Jesus turned water into wine for a reason.”

Local churchgoers have raised their concerns with Plant, with some worried that the church will become better known as an entertainment venue than as a place of worship.

Plant is yet to hear from the council but insists the plans are part of an “ongoing aim to put the church on the cultural map”. Income from the gigs would go towards maintenance work, legal and debt drop-in services and outreach work with the homeless.

There are currently several churches playing host to live music in London, namely the Union Chapel in Islington, St Giles’ in Soho, St James’ in Piccadilly and St John-at-Hackney. Many high-profile artists favour the intimate setting of a church, with Coldplay choosing to launch their A Head Full of Dreams album at the latter venue.