accepted to attend a show in NYC , but now we ’ re hosting 50 + shows a month across the city .”
Although the Sofar community has expanded to include thousands of people , it still retains a certain intimacy . Run by a small staff of people — most of who started out as volunteers — the hobby-turnedbusiness is an experiment in keeping a movement authentic and sustainable at the same time . So far , it has withstood the test of time . And the outlook is hopeful , as long as it continues to “[ break ] down the barrier between artist and attendee , so you can have a real conversation with them , even grabbing drinks with them after a show or hosting them on your couch next time they ’ re in town .” BY LILLY MILMAN
What constitutes a good space , or venue according to Sofar ? We pride ourselves on showcasing amazing talent in nontraditional venues . When we first started out , Sofars were all held in people ' s homes . Now we ’ ve hosted in everything from speakeasies to boats to cheese shops — even at the top of a ski jump in Norway ! We ’ re looking for unique spaces where you wouldn ’ t normally see a show , and a welcoming host who ’ s excited to meet new people .
What were some of the challenges in executing the idea and how have they been overcome ? Sofar shows take place in over 400 cities around the world . We want to allow for local individuality across all our Sofar chapters , while ensuring the same Sofar vibes , quality and spirit are the same whether you ’ re seeing a show in New York City or Kampala . It ’ s amazing to walk into a show in another country , not speak the language , but still know how the show will go ! We ’ re always working to keep all our city leaders up to date and in the know about what ’ s going on with Sofar around the world .
What makes a Sofar show different from , say , a DIY house show ? We didn ’ t invent the DIY house show . We see Sofar as a different concept and community . We started very organically , when our founder and CEO Rafe Offer found himself frustrated by all the distractions of live events . We ’ ve all been at a concert where the crowd is talking too loud , the person next to you is filming the entire show on their phone , or someone is spilling beer all over the place . He and his friends decided to host small groups and artists they knew in their living rooms in London . After a few shows , their friends-of-friends started doing the same , and then someone asked if they could bring the idea to Paris . It then spread to more cities around the world , from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles to Mumbai . It ’ s a global community where guests and performers can truly connect and feel they ’ re included .
Can you explain the growth of Sofar over the last few years , and how you anticipating it growing next ? We ’ ve hosted thousands of artists over the past 9 years , and we want to continue offering them these unique opportunities to perform ! We also want to make Sofar more accessible to the guests who want to attend . Three years ago , I used to wait five months to be accepted to attend a show in NYC , but now we ’ re hosting 50 + shows a month across the city . This allows more chances for connection and discovery within our community . Over the past few years , Sofar has grown from a hobby into a business in order to keep this movement sustainable . Where everyone was volunteering their time at the beginning , we now have 50 + full-time employees who help run these events in some of our biggest cities , and offer support and resources to our many cities and artists around the world . Almost all of these employees started off volunteering within the Sofar community .
Could you describe your favorite experience with the organization ? I ’ m one of those people who went to a lot of concerts , but always saw the artist as “ other ” and someone that ’ s inaccessible . Over my years with Sofar , I ’ ve connected with hundreds of artists at shows , and they ’ re just like you and me ( although a lot more musically talented ...). Sofar breaks down the barrier between artist and attendee , so you can have a real conversation with them , even grabbing drinks with them after a show or hosting them on your couch next time they ’ re in town .
Cheyenne Cohen for Sofar Sounds
What constitutes a good space, or
venue according to Sofar?
We pride ourselves on showcasing
amazing talent in nontraditional venues.
When we first started out, Sofars were
all held in people's homes. Now we’ve
hosted in everything from speakeasies to
boats to cheese shops — even at the top
of a ski jump in Norway! We’re looking
for unique spaces where you wouldn’t
normally see a show, and a welcoming
host who’s excited to meet new people.
What were some of the challenges in
executing the idea and how have they
been overcome?
Sofar shows take place in over 400 cities
around the world. We want to allow for
local individuality across all our Sofar
chapters, while ensuring the same Sofar
vibes, quality and spirit are the same
whether you’re seeing a show in New
York City or Kampala. It’s amazing to
walk into a show in another country, not
speak the language, but still know how
the show will go! We’re always working
to keep all our city leaders up to date and
in the know about what’s going on with
Sofar around the world.
accepted to attend a show in NYC, but now we’re
hosting 50+ shows a month across the city.”
Although the Sofar community has expanded to
include thousands of people, it still retains a certain
intimacy. Run by a small staff of people—most of
who started out as volunteers—the hobby-turned-
business is an experiment in keeping a movement
authentic and sustainable at the same time. So far,
it has withstood the test of time. And the outlook
is hopeful, as long as it continues to “[break] down
the barrier between artist and attendee, so you can
have a real conversation with them, even grabbing
drinks with them after a show or hosting them on
your couch next time they’re in town.” BY LILLY
MILMAN
What makes a Sofar show different
from, say, a DIY house show?
We didn’t invent the DIY house show.
We see Sofar as a different concept and
community. We started very organically,
when our founder and CEO Rafe Offer
found himself frustrated by all the dis-
tractions of live events. We’ve all been at
a concert where the crowd is talking too
loud, the person next to you is filming the
entire show on their phone, or someone is
spilling beer all over the place. He and his
friends decided to host small groups and
artists they knew in their living rooms
in London. After a few shows, their
friends-of-friends started doing the same,
and then someone asked if they could
bring the idea to Paris. It then spread to
Cheyenne Cohen
for Sofar Sounds
more cities around the world, from Rio
de Janeiro to Los Angeles to Mumbai.
It’s a global community where guests
and performers can truly connect and feel
they’re included.
Can you explain the growth of Sofar
over the last few years, and how you
anticipating it growing next?
We’ve hosted thousands of artists over
the past 9 years, and we want to continue
offering them these unique opportunities
to perform! We also want to make Sofar
more accessible to the guests who want
to attend. Three years ago, I used to wait
five months to be accepted to attend a
show in NYC, but now we’re hosting
50+ shows a month across the city. This
allows more chances for connection and
discovery within our community. Over
the past few years, Sofar has grown from
a hobby into a business in order to keep
this movement sustainable. Where eve-
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