Sofar Sounds

Spotlight

Sofar Sounds is a global music community of over 100 cities, hosting intimate performances in secret locations to rooms of devoted music fans around the world. Each night, three artists play short, stripped-back sets to intimate crowds, allowing them to connect with audiences in a way few are ever able to in a traditional ‘gig’. No headliners, no chattering crowds, and no phones - just the opportunity to discover the best new bands in the way they're meant to be heard. Below you can check out the Sofar Sounds team's selection of their favourite performances so far.

We're hosting a Sofar Sounds gig in London, at 7digital HQ on Thursday, 23rd July - head back here for interviews and videos from the show.

Sofar Sounds Favourites

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    Bastille

    Dan and the boys were one of the very first acts to ever play for Sofar – indeed, for them it was pretty much their first ever gig as well! They’ve since come back a few times, most recently as part of a partnership with War Child that raised over £250,000 for the charity. The band are a big part of Sofar’s past and with any luck a big part of our future too.”

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    Karen O

    Karen got in touch with us last year around the release of her debut solo album. We ended up shipping off vinyl copies of that album to over 20 Sofar cities around the world, with 20 simultaneous Sofars in those cities taking place on the same day to celebrate its release. Karen herself also turned up to play a set in a Tribeca apartment for around 100 lucky attendees. She was actually extremely nervous, but the bottle of bourbon provided by one enterprising guest helped her along.”

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    Hozier

    Hozier played for us back at the end of last year to about 60 lucky attendees in Manchester. It was possibly the last time he really played a small show of any kind, as that very week the video for ‘Take Me to Church’ went viral in America, catapulting him to superstardom. Back in that room though it was just him, one guitar, one slightly bemused tour manager, and some very lucky Sofar guests.”

    Hozier - Hozier
    • 16-bit FLAC

Bastille

Karen O

Hozier

More from previous performers

  • Bastille

    Interview

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    Most of my friends didn’t even know I played music until a few years ago...

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  • Honeyblood

    Interview

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    Being in a band is tough: you’re away from your home, friends and family. There is so little stability.

    Read More

  • Marika Hackman

    Interview

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    This industry is such a machine, just churning out stuff... I think we need artists to be allowed time.

    Read More