Concerts in Churches?

The Code of Canon Law:

1210 Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place.

Sacred space should almost always only be used for sacred events. A church is not a public gathering space or hall; it is dedicated to the worship of Almighty God.

Obviously there are many classic religious pieces of music that were written for churches and to be performed in churches. Concerts of this type make sense to take place in a church. Though they are not liturgical, they are explicitly designed to raise our attention to worship of God.

In such situations, the Blessed Sacrament should be removed to an alternate place of reservation for the duration of the event.

Secular music concerts are not permitted in churches. Music that is not religious in nature is not appropriate in sacred space dedicated to worship. To permit merely secular music reduces the space to a simple rental hall.

For further reading, I recommend the Congregation for Divine Worship’s 1987 document Concerts in Churches.