Reduce, Reuse, Re-concert: A Spotlight on Sustainable Venues

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At their core, Sofar shows are sustainably driven, maximizing the use of pre-existing spaces rather than creating entirely new venues! From backyards to boats to museums, Sofar hosts concerts in unique spaces when they would otherwise be empty or underutilized.

To make an even greater impact, we make a significant effort to partner with spaces that are already devoted to sustainable practices—like rooftop gardens or vertical farms. This Earth Day, we want to celebrate some of the most sustainable venues in which we’ve ever hosted a Sofar show. 

Sustainable Venues in Europe

 

The Arc (London, UK)

Located in East London’s Shoreditch, The Arc features a collection of 100 sustainably designed homes designed by award-winning architects, in addition to commercial spaces where we’ve hosted Sofars. 

The Arc is a fully electric building, with carbon emissions 30% lower than multi fuel-operated buildings. Surplus energy from each apartment’s underfloor heating and cooling system is recycled for use in other apartments in the building. Plus, The Arc features a rooftop garden and uses recycled water for irrigation. 

We’ve hosted 25 shows here, including recent shows that featured A30 and Sabrina Song. 

Sabrina Song sits at the piano at the Arc in London
Sabrina Song performs at The Arc, photographed by Jane Jimenez for Sofar

Crossrail Place (London, UK)

Crossrail Place Roof Garden is the crown jewel of the Canary Wharf part of London. Built on the Meridian line, the Garden’s flora are arranged according to the hemisphere they’re from. 

The space is part of the greater Canary Wharf development, which features electricity purchased from renewable sources, a plastic free ethos and zero waste initiative, planting projects, and food distribution services. 

We’ve hosted 11 shows here, including recent shows with Stone Jets and BrokenPen. 

Stone Jets perform at Crossrail Place Roof Garden in London
Stone Jets perform at Crossrail Place Roof Garden, photographed by Austeja Cegyte for Sofar

PLATF9RM (Brighton, UK)

A space for community gatherings and events, PLATF9RM in Brighton is a multi-use hub for sustainable practices and charity work. Some highlights include a meal donation service and events where you can rehome your clothes, shoes, and trinkets. Oh! They also have a beehive. Who doesn’t love that?

We hosted a show here just last week, featuring Sarah Ann Rée and Ochre. 

People gather in the open plan community space at Platf9rm in Brighton
Platf9rm in Brighton, image courtesy of the Platf9rm website

Sustainable Venues in North America

 

Greentown Labs (Boston, MA)

What does a climate-focused startup incubator look like? Chances are it looks a lot like Greentown Labs in Boston. Greentown features climate action startups in industries such as agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing. 

We hosted shows here back in 2022, featuring Caleb McCoy, DAMOYEE, Jill McCracken, and more.

The collaboration space at Greentown Labs, in Boston, MA
Boston’s Greentown Labs, image courtesy of the Greentown Labs website.

Cook’s Garden (Venice, CA)

Cook’s Garden in Venice is a community hub, connecting local produce with chefs and mixologists in the area. They’re committed to maintaining a minimal carbon footprint by employing sustainable organic growing and regenerative soil management; they also educate people in the neighborhood about the benefits of growing your own food.

We hosted shows here last spring, featuring intrnet boyfriend, Margot MacDonald, and Shelby Natasha.

One person pushes another in a wheelbarrow down the pathway at Cook's Garden in Venice, CA
The garden at Cook’s Garden, image courtesy of the Cook’s Garden website

Farm.One (Brooklyn, NY)

Another green space (literally) is Farm.One in Brooklyn: a chic hub of urban farming innovation, complete with an incredibly photogenic vertical farm. They host community events, offer farm tours, and host the occasional Sofar. Just a couple days ago, we held a show here featuring Angie Pastor, Heavenbeatbox, and almost sex. 

A sunny exterior view of farm.one in Brooklyn, NY
Farm.one in Brooklyn, NY, image courtesy of the farm.one website

Garfield Park Conservatory (Chicago, IL)

We covered Garfield Park Conservatory in our round-up of historic venues, and we thought it deserved inclusion in our list of sustainable venues too. Garfield Park’s mission is to connect people with the power of nature. Our mission is to connect people with the power of music, so you could say Sofar and Garfield Park go hand-in-hand. 

We hosted a Sofar here in 2021, which featured D. Lylez.  

A Sofar MC introduced the next band at Garfield Conservatory in Chicago
Garfield Conservatory, photographed by Torie Palacios for Sofar

Grow + Gather (Denver, CO)

Grow + Gather found its home in a renovated historic auto shop: a poetic spot for this urban farm. They’re committed to creating a local, sustainable and creative food experience for all.

We’ll be hosting some Sofars in their rooftop greenhouse over the next few months, including a show on June 1. Stop by if you can!

An image of the Grow + Gather greenhouse, with plants growing on either side of a paved path
The Grow + Gather greenhouse, image courtesy of the Grow + Gather website

Green Spaces (Denver, CO)

Green Spaces is Denver’s sustainable hub for coworking, creativity, collaboration, and community. It’s a place where sustainability and culture meet technology and business. And also music: we have a few upcoming shows at Green Spaces in May and June!

Yasmine Emani performs at Green Spaces in Denver in front of a large crowd
Yasmine Emani performs at Green Spaces in Denver, photographed by Sam Rawlins for Sofar

Sustainable Venues All Over

 

Backyards and Gardens

The first ever Sofar was in our founder Rafe’s home, and he’s since hosted countless Sofars in his backyard. That ethos has spread to other backyards and gardens, all over the world.

Two performers sit on an outdoor porch, playing music for a large crowd

You can even watch Sofars from rooftops:

A group of people sit in a line on a green rooftop, watching a Sofar show

Want to see a show in a sustainable venue near you? Check out what’s coming up!

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Sofar Sounds is a global music community that connects artists and audiences through live music. We bring people together to create space where music matters in 400 cities around the world.