Previously, artists had to email each local rep when they wanted to apply to perform in a new city A new Artist Dashboard, which makes it easier for artists to book tours in multiple cities (Sofar is in 444 cities around the world), empowering them to request shows in cities on specific dates or within a date range.In between their folky acoustics, they told a fictitious, albeit highly entertaining, story of their time at sea, transporting us back to 1492 when Chris Columbus discovered America and people actually sent letters to communicate. When I hosted a show at my apartment, one of the guitarists told me that he had just picked up everything and moved from Russia to NYC to start his music career – literally the night before.Īt another concert, we were transported from a co-working warehouse to the Seven Seas of yesteryear. The only constant about Sofar is the quality.Įveryone has an amazing story, too, so if you have a chance to talk to the performers after the show, I highly recommend it. I’ve also seen a beatboxer, a woman playing not one but two giant harps, and an Israeli brother/sister duo singing soulfully over bongos. At the time, it had just launched and was already in the top 3 downloads on Spotify.Īnother show I went to included a string trio that killed it on their violin and cello rendition of Sweet Child of Mine ( Time for Three) and an awesome poetry slam by Savon Bartley that really got the crowd feeling emotional (and evoked a lot of laughter). Some of the artists I’ve seen have included Cosmos & Creature, an indie-rock duo that performed their new song Young. There is so much raw talent just waiting to be discovered that you are bound to enjoy yourself no matter who the performers may be. What types of artists can you see at Sofar? I’ve been to furniture stores, thrift shops, rooftops, strangers’ apartments – really, the sky’s the limit at Sofar. If you’re really curious, you can do a Google Search to find out more details about what the scene may be like, but in general, you figure it out once you arrive. On the day of the show, Sofar will send out another email with the address of the venue. Once you are chosen, you pay for your tickets ($15 here in NY) and decide whether or not you want a Plus 1. I usually apply to 5 or 6 shows in any given week, which increases my chances of getting selected. This is how they keep shows small and intimate. Once you have a date in mind, click on “Apply for Tickets.” If you’re selected, Sofar will send you a follow up email. That’s part of the fun – Sofar keeps most details a secret until the last minute. Usually, all you know about the event is the date and neighborhood of the performance. To get a ticket, go on their website, choose a city, and then select a show. And you’ll likely run into the same folks over and over again if you keep attending Sofar’s. Averaging 500 shows a month globally! In some smaller cities, there may be less options to choose from, but that just means your show will be that much more intimate. In addition to the British city across the pond, if you’re in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, LA, Dallas or D.C, there are bound to be dozens of shows to choose from in any given week. Sure, you can take a quick Snapchat if you’re lovin’ the music, but in general, you won’t find any iPhones in the air obstructing your view of the band. Here, one of their only rules is to keep your phone usage to a limit. No matter the performance, you’re guaranteed to be part of a thoroughly engaged audience. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you may even find yourself sitting next to one of the performers. Everyone is friendly, mellow, and open-minded. A typical show includes about 3 performances, with brief intermissions between each one so you have some time to mingle with the other attendees. The tickets are cheap and they let you bring your own booze. It’s a great way to meet other music lovers, discover new artists and explore genres or styles you may not have otherwise considered, all while watching live. While unique to every culture and its customs, the general ambiance of Sofar remains the same. You can find a show on any continent in over 350 cities around the world (well, except Antartica, but I think it’d take a lot of prep to play in an igloo). That intimacy has carried Sofar to where they are today- a global phenomenon that’s one of the word’s best kept secrets. Facebook twitter pinterest 2 of 3 Founders Rafe Offer & Dave Alexandar at the first Sofar Sounds New York gig in 2010.
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