Here’s an equation to consider.
Sofar = Artist + Audience + Venue
All three variables are exactly that: variable. Sofar shows are all different because the artists on the line-up are different, and the audiences are never the same, and the venues are fresh and exciting every time.
We’re constantly adding new spaces where you can see a Sofar show in your city. Here’s a roundup of some of the freshest, most exciting venues from around the world.
Artsy Venues
Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle
We recently co-hosted a Sofar here with Lyft, featuring Umi, Jessica Domingo, and TeZATalks. The Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP, was founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2000. The building was designed by Frank Gehry, in the same style as LA’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, built just three years after. Inside, visitors can see exhibits that cover every facet of pop culture, from fantasy, horror cinema, and video games to science fiction and literature, and costumes from screen and stage. Oh, there’s also a giant guitar sculpture and one of the largest LED screens in the world.
FUJIFILM House of Photography in London, UK
In the heart of London’s Covent Garden, FUJIFILM’s House of Photography not only feels like a photo gallery, but it actually kind of is one. You can hire camera equipment here and even rent out studio space to do your own photo shoot.
After a couple years’ hiatus, we’re hosting a show here in June.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, Zimbabwe
We featured this venue for its historic significance in our historic venues round-up, but it’s also one of our newer, exciting venues. It’s a plus whenever we get to host shows in museums, and this one is so core to Zimbabwe’s national history. It’s an honor to showcase excellent music within its walls.
We hosted our most recent show here back in February, featuring an all-star roster of Nonny Muhoni, Tina Watyoka, Meet Luminous, and AneUnhu.
Boston Figurative Arts Center in Boston, MA
The Boston Figurative Arts Center is an “arts gym” where you can sign up for life drawing classes and see some great live music. Whether you’re a serious artist or a beginner, the BFAC community is for everyone. It’s a place to enjoy and sustain the creative life.
We’re hosting our first ever show here in June – grab tickets today!
Stereo in London, UK
The unique look and feel of this hip bar/club/venue was inspired by the vibrant late-night cultures of New York, Paris, and London. Stereo is a place to arrive for a drink, grab a bite, and dance the night away.
We’re hosting our first show here in late July.
Bike Shed in London, UK
Calling all moto enthusiasts! The Bike Shed in London is a motorcycle destination dedicated to moto culture & moto people. Arrive on foot or on a bike, and enjoy a bite, brew, haircut, or Sofar show.
We’re hosting our first show at the Bike Shed in July, featuring Harry Linacre and MOLLY.
Nautical Venues
MV Skansonia in Seattle
Known as Seattle’s last wooden ferry, MV Skansonia is a one-of-a-kind waterfront venue. The boat was built nearly 100 years ago, and today it’s used as a wedding venue, complete with a view of the Seattle skyline.
We hosted our first show here in early May, featuring Hayden Everett, Parisalexa, and Racoma.
Theatreship in London, UK
Theatreship is the world’s oldest floating arts center, located on an actual barge in the old docks of Canary Wharf. Stop by for some orchestral music, an international arthouse film, some queer theater, a workshop, and even a Sofar show.
Just make sure you bring your sea legs!
We’re hosting our first show here in July.
“You Just Wouldn’t Believe It” Venues
A Tennis Court in Cancún, Mexico
Yes, we’ve hosted a Sofar show at a tennis court. Padel Club in Cancún played host to a Sofar show back in December, where attendees were serenaded by artists Vibranko, Barney Gombo, El Brujo, and Sandra Peralta y Leandro Cacioni, while the sun set.
A Disused Swimming Pool in Harare, Zimbabwe
At Sofar, just about anything can be a venue. So it should come as no surprise that we hosted a show in this empty swimming pool back in March, located at Harare’s Old Rock Cafe. The show featured Kim Makumbe, Eden Lang, Lalla Martin, and Cingi.
The French and Swedish Embassies in Ankara, Türkiye
If one embassy wasn’t enough, we’ve hosted Sofar shows at two embassies in Ankara. The first was at the French Embassy back in December, and it featured the Ambassador alongside a great line-up (Selût, Mehlika Karadeniz Bilgin, and Tardigrades).
That show went so well that we expanded to the Swedish embassy for a show in March, featuring Aslı Yazıcıoğlu, Aleyna & Erto, and Onur Aymergen. Which embassy should we do next?
Ocean Plant in San Francisco
Ocean Plant is a mixed use space, where you can hold community meetings, sip a coffee, and even buy a surfboard. Located at the every western edge of the San Francisco peninsula in the Outer Richmond, Ocean Plant hugs the Pacific Ocean in more ways than one. They promote community-based “blue” interactions: with nature, with the ocean, and with technology.
Our first show at Ocean Plant is coming up in June and we’re very excited to watch the sun set and listen to some incredible music.
A Penthouse in Manhattan, NY
Truly a stunning venue, unrivaled by most anywhere else in the world, this lower Manhattan penthouse has panoramic views of the city, as well as a view of Lady Liberty herself. We just hosted our first show here earlier in May, featuring Mia Jae, Aaron Lewys, and Honey Marmalade.
The Media Library of the French Institute of Mauritius, Mauritius
Located on the island nation of Mauritius, the French Media Institute is a cultural center with vibrant events year-round. We were lucky enough to host a Sofar show here back in December, in their famed media library. The show featured Didier Clarel, Olivier Ng, and MARIKA.
Check out upcoming shows at these and other venues!
