NEW VENUE: FAITH IN STRANGERS OPENS IN MARGATE
The 350-capacity cultural hub boasts panoramic sea views, interactive art installations, cutting-edge sound system and custom built broadcast suite
With views across the DJ booth expanding out to Margate's far-reaching horizon, the stunning new Faith In Strangers venue is a location you just have to see for yourself.
Having been invited (pre-covid) to see the project as it was taking shape, Team ‘cene witnessed first-hand the unbelievable efforts and level of attention that has gone into creating what will surely become a must-experience combined arts venue.
Inside lies soft furnishings aplenty creating a relaxed house party feel but it is the scientific approach to sound and light that’s likely to take a visitor’s experience on a totally new plane.
There is a focus on music but a strong interest in everything else.
Faith In Strangers wants to create a platform for artists, performers, thinkers and creative minds with a cultural programme ranging from selectors to scientists and a mixture of local talent and people further afield to be announced.
Conjuring up a unique blend of audio and visual delights, the founders have poured over the design for three years.
Jeremy Duffy, co-founder of Faith in Strangers, says: “The lockdown has been tough for many and we’re happy we can provide a new space for the neighbourhood. When we talk about a cultural venue, it’s not about having high brow art or the latest trend… It's about exploring the things people can enjoy together, making memories and sharing moments. That’s what we want to provide, the cocktails, music, guest chefs etc are all catalysts for people to get together and find things they have in common with each other. We wanted to create an atmosphere where people can indulge in something other than a distraction.”
SOUND: The venue hosts a unique multichannel array set up of Funktion One speakers with Full Fat Audio amps. There are 18 speakers placed around the venue creating the opportunity to make spatial soundscapes along with separate individual outputs, evoking a sense of theatre that immerses the audience as they enter the building. An analogue high fidelity stereo pair is also in the works with more info to follow.
LIGHT: Bespoke lighting features surround the perimeter of the venue offering mood lighting during the atmospheric moments to full club mode during others. The data-driven lighting system has been planted into the heart of the building with everything thriving around it. Light interaction will play a leading role for revellers as they will be able to interact with the building itself through movement, gestures and input from the customers themselves.
Live broadcast will play a major role within the space. The venue has been designed to harness content from multiple different camera set ups ranging from tapping into their CCTV, PTZ cams and DSLRs setups.
The one-of-a-kind setup will be controlled from a broadcast booth with up to 21 static and adjustable cameras spaced at key points giving a groundbreaking amount of control to any stream or recording.
The idea is to turn the venue into a satellite, platforming and transmitting vehicle for those that could not attend in person giving global reach. Faith In Strangers will capture moments and create episodic content for future viewing once events startup once again.
Richard Randles, co-founder of Faith In Strangers, says: “Margate has a long history of inspiring people from Joseph Turner to modern-day. We couldn’t think of a better place for this venue and hope that people who visit Faith In Strangers might find ideas and inspiration as well.”
During the day, Faith In Strangers transitions into a workspace with hot desks, hot sofa’s and hot sun loungers. The monolithic concrete bar doubles up as a meeting point and communal lunch area, where the workspace community can help themselves to drinks throughout the day as the circadian lighting, ambient playlist and sea views create a perfect environment to work in.
Access to the workspace is £120 and by application. The communal workspace then transitions, with careful curation of sound, lighting and scents, into a bar atmosphere from 6pm, during the week and earlier on weekends.
Opening to the public for table service on May 20th following restrictions, with full capacity launch on June 24th. Initially the bar will be open Thursday — Saturdays from 6pm - late with plans to expand as the year progresses.