Yes, Mariah Carey gets to decide when the holidays begin, but to really usher in the holiday season of your dreams, you might need to unearth some unexpected deep cuts. This list of Sofar “holiday” performances from all over the globe brings together a mix of festive and anti-festive energy to satisfy your every emotion this season. Happy listening!
Andrew Tufano featuring Seamus Guy — “Christmas Kills” | Sofar Raleigh
When it comes to the holidays, some things are better left unsaid… which is why Andrew Tufano and Seamus Guy’s string-based performance slays (or sleighs, if you’re in the holiday spirit). No jingle bells, no silent nights, just a righteous fiddle that will give you what you need to get through to the new year.
Gaffa Tape Sandy — “Black Christmas” | Sofar London
You know those moments in holiday movies where people are 1) looking to escape their families at a local pub 2) experiencing holiday heartbreak or 3) taking a heightened walk down memory lane? Well Gaff Tape Sandy’s “Black Christmas” is that moment in a song. It’s perfect parts emo, perfect parts goth, perfect parts rock, and perfect parts indie for a more edgy kind of Christmas.
ena mori — “Runaway Holiday” | Sofar Makati
Make it the holidays, but also make it an underground Filipino club gearing up for an epic NYE mixer. This boppy set by ena mori is sure to make your holiday blues run away. Don’t miss an actual (seated) headbang in the audience taking place at 2:19.
Run Pussy Run — “Holiday” | Sofar Bombay
Well, isn’t that cozy. Bask in a bohemian holiday with this slow, modern serenade by Run Pussy Run. If you’re looking at spending any time in an airport during this year’s holiday season, you’ll need this soothing rhythm to calm your everything.
Einar Stray Orchestra — “It’s Christmas! Let’s Be Glad” (Cover) by Sufjan Stevens | Sofar Oslo
Live concerts just sparkle so much more brightly. This orchestral cover of one of Sufjan’s classic Christmas sing-a-long brings some serious depth and gravitas to the season. We especially love that Einar Stray Orchestra dressed up in all their best holiday flare.
Halde — “Holiday” | Sofar Montreal
Halde knows you don’t need a five-person band with a multitude of instruments to fill the room with overwhelmingly beautiful sound. With an electronic piano and guitar, a voice of an angel, and Canadian French interludes, Halde’s “Holiday” is the melancholic, “fall-in-love” tune you’ve been waiting to dive into for the season.
Choir Vandals — “Holiday Girls” | Sofar St. Louis
Get ready for some serious vocal range. The Choir Vandals are taking us right back to an authentic 90s / 00s vibe with “Holiday Girls.” In a setup that will almost take you back to your college days, this set is the perfect prompt to yearn for easier times, and a great song to play during post-holiday dinner kitchen cleanup.
Catch these artists and others just like them at a Sofar show near you!
