Pyramid Club

live music venue — Mount Cook · Wellington

About Pyramid Club

Pyramid Club is an artist-run space for experimental music and sonic arts at 272 Taranaki Street, Wellington, Aotearoa. As an artist-run organisation and venue dedicated to experimental practice, it provides a physical and conceptual space for artists whose work falls outside the scope of commercial performance venues, presenting over 80 concerts, workshops, artist talks, screenings, exhibitions, festivals and symposiums each year.

Pyramid Club is administered by the Sound and Light Exploration Society, a registered Charitable Trust, and traces its whakapapa through a long lineage of Wellington artist-run spaces, including Freds (2009-2012), The Garage (2012-2013), Happy (2003-2009) and The Space (1999-2003), with links back to the Braille Collective in the 1980s and the Wellington Artists Coop in the late 1970s. Alongside live events, Pyramid Club provides dedicated studio space to 10 artists, hosts rehearsals for dozens of local groups, operates a recording studio, and runs Sound Explorers Records, releasing new music by Wellington-based artists. Its programme is supported by Creative New Zealand and Wellington City Council.

Pyramid Club: Wellington's Home for Experimental Music and Sonic Arts

Pyramid Club is the home of experimental music and sonic arts in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington. As an artist-run organisation and venue dedicated to experimental practice, it provides a physical and conceptual space for artists whose work falls outside the scope of commercial performance venues.

A Packed Programme

Pyramid Club annually presents over 80 concerts, workshops, artist talks, screenings, exhibitions, festivals and symposiums. It supports and stimulates the creation and presentation of new works through regular commissions, off-site performances, tours and residencies, playing an essential role in Wellington's dynamic arts and cultural landscape.

Deep Roots in Wellington's Music Scene

Administered by the Sound and Light Exploration Society, a registered Charitable Trust, Pyramid Club (2014-present) is the latest in a series of venues run by the Society, including Freds (2009-2012) and The Garage (2012-2013). The whakapapa of this scene stretches back through a long lineage of affiliated artist-run spaces including Happy (2003-2009) and The Space (1999-2003), with direct links to the Braille Collective in the 1980s and the Wellington Artists Coop in the late 1970s.

Studios, Rehearsals and Archives

Beyond live events, Pyramid Club provides dedicated studio space to 10 artists working across sonic and visual arts, and is used for rehearsals by dozens of local groups, with regular rehearsal times available for bands, musicians and music lessons. Its audio, video and poster archive stretches back more than 10 years, featuring hundreds of recordings of live experimental music performances.

Recording Studio and Sound Production

Pyramid Club operates as a recording studio, offering professional and affordable recordings for a variety of musicians. The team produces soundtracks, sound design, audio installations and sonic experiments for film, theatre and exhibitions. Sound Explorers Records, the club's own label, releases new music by Wellington-based artists.

Kōrero: Talks, Writing and Podcasts

Pyramid Club's Kōrero programme includes P-Lab artist-run workshops and talks, writing, interviews, and podcasts including the ongoing Dancing in Your Head series featuring conversations with artists.

Community and Support

Pyramid Club's programme is supported by Creative New Zealand and Wellington City Council, alongside its regular supporters and key-holding members. The venue is run by a small team including Director/Curator Daniel Beban, Website Manager Jonny Marks, Volunteer Coordinator Nell Thomas, Administrator Lora Martin, House Sound Tech Thomas Lambert, Venue Assistant Isaac Smith, and Kaiārahi Tikanga Māori Ruby Solly.

Visiting Pyramid Club

Pyramid Club is located at 272 Taranaki Street, Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand. Those interested in volunteering, becoming a member, hiring the space, or proposing an event can get in touch through the venue's contact page.

Signature items

  • Live Experimental Music Events
  • Rehearsal & Studio Space Hire
  • Recording Studio
  • Sound Explorers Records
  • P-Lab Workshops
  • Dancing in Your Head Podcast

Menu

Live Events

  • Concerts & Gigs — Regular experimental music performances and gigs
  • Workshops & Artist Talks — Artist-run workshops and talks under the P-Lab programme
  • Screenings & Exhibitions — Screenings, exhibitions, festivals and symposiums

Space & Studio

  • Rehearsal & Studio Space Hire — Regular rehearsal times available for bands, musicians and music lessons
  • Dedicated Artist Studios — Studio space provided to artists working across sonic and visual arts

Media & Publishing

  • Sound Explorers Records — Record label releasing new music by Wellington-based artists
  • Podcasts — Includes the Dancing in Your Head podcast series

Recording & Production

  • Recording Studio Services — Professional and affordable recordings for musicians
  • Sound Design & Audio Installations — Sound tracks, sound design and audio installations for film, theatre and exhibitions

Frequently asked questions

What is Pyramid Club?
An artist-run space for experimental music and sonic arts in Wellington, presenting over 80 events a year.
Can I hire the space for rehearsals?
Yes, regular rehearsal times are available for bands, musicians and music lessons.
Does Pyramid Club offer recording services?
Yes, it operates as a recording studio offering professional and affordable recordings for musicians.
Who runs Pyramid Club?
It's administered by the Sound and Light Exploration Society, a registered Charitable Trust, led by Director/Curator Daniel Beban and a small team.
How can I get involved with Pyramid Club?
You can volunteer, become a member, or donate through the support page.
What is Sound Explorers Records?
Pyramid Club's own record label, releasing new music by Wellington-based artists.
Is Pyramid Club a nonprofit?
Yes, it's administered by the Sound and Light Exploration Society, a registered Charitable Trust, and its programme is supported by Creative New Zealand and Wellington City Council.

Tips

  • {"body":"Pyramid Club runs a packed events programme — check upcoming concerts, workshops and screenings online.","title":"Check the calendar before visiting"}
  • {"body":"Regular rehearsal times are available for bands, musicians and music lessons — get in touch via the contact page.","title":"Enquire about rehearsal space"}
  • {"body":"The venue's podcast series features in-depth conversations with artists connected to the space.","title":"Listen to Dancing in Your Head"}