Before we dive in, we’re excited to introduce Sofar Voices, where we spotlight different members of the Sofar community — or the Sofam, as we like to call it. In each edition, you’ll get to know fans, artists, crew, curators… you name it. If they’re involved in creating the Sofar magic, they’ve got a story to tell, and we’re here to share it. Enjoy!
For Josh Savage, Sofar is more than just a stage—it’s been a launchpad, a home, and a global family. From playing his first Sofar show in Oxford in 2013 to curating Sofar shows in Winchester, Southampton, and Berlin, Josh has dedicated himself to creating spaces where artists can truly be heard. He’s traveled the world with Sofar, performing in over 100 shows across 44 cities, and has seen firsthand how music has the power to turn strangers into family. Whether it’s bringing live music back to Berlin post-pandemic or preparing for an upcoming Sofar show in a Berlin sex club (yes, really), Josh’s journey proves that when artists are given the space to grow, anything is possible
Tell us about your connection to Sofar!
I’m a Sofar curator, artist, and fan. I played my first Sofar in 2013 in Oxford, and it was the first time I ever truly felt heard as an artist. That night changed everything. Sofar gave me a platform to grow, taking me from playing in living rooms to touring with Snow Patrol and opening for Robbie Williams in front of 100,000 people. Wanting to give other artists that same opportunity, I founded Sofar Winchester and Southampton to help our local music scenes thrive. Artists today could use all the help they can get, and Sofar has always been a space where they can be seen, heard, and supported. When I moved to Germany and Sofar Berlin shut down during the pandemic, I relaunched it to keep that mission alive.
That is incredible. What makes Sofar special to you?
Sofar is a safe space where people come together and experience music as it’s meant to be heard without distractions, without barriers. We’re living through a loneliness epidemic, and even music fans and artists are more disconnected than ever—most people don’t even know the names of their favourite artists in today’s playlist culture. Sofar fixes that.
On top of that, small venues are disappearing—only 40% remain compared to the ‘90s—and artists today have fewer places to grow. Sofar is essential because it gives emerging artists a stage without the pressure of selling tickets or marketing a show. All we have to do is show up and play, and that’s incredibly rare.
Definitely. You’ve travelled with Sofar around the world — how many shows has it been, in how many cities?
101 Sofar shows across 44 cities in 15 countries. From living rooms in Europe to rooftops in Latin America, breweries in North America, and hidden cafés in Asia, every show is different, but the magic is always the same.
Wow! And what would you say is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about global music culture?
No matter where you are in the world, music has the power to turn strangers into family. I’ve felt that again and again—like when I went to Russia alone, feeling completely isolated, and after my Sofar show, I suddenly had a room full of friends. The same thing has happened in places where I didn’t speak the language, yet music bridged the gap. That connection is universal.
What’s the craziest thing, or most “Berlin” thing that’s ever happened at one of your Sofar shows?
We’re about to host a Sofar show in a Berlin sex club—so that might top the list! But another unforgettable moment was when we had an outdoor show, and during the second act, a sudden downpour hit. My whole team scrambled to rescue the sound gear, artists’ equipment—chaos. A huge storm rolled in, the power cut out, and we had to improvise. The last act played an unplugged set by the glow of our battery-powered lights, with everyone huddled together in a small space. It was unplanned, raw, and somehow made the night even more magical.
If you could curate a Sofar show with any three artists, living or dead, who would you pick?
Chris Martin – Coldplay shaped my love for music, and seeing him in an intimate Sofar setting would be unreal.
Metallica (acoustic set) – Seeing a metal band strip things back is always insane, and Metallica would absolutely kill it unplugged.
Reeps One – He’s a Sofar OG, and what he does with his voice as a beatboxer is superhuman. Imagine that lineup—it would be legendary.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Josh! We’re honored to be part of your journey and hope to continue creating beautiful memories together. 
