As we anticipate another lap around the sun, we’re looking back at another incredible year for all the Sofar artists making waves out there. Here are end-of-the-year updates on some of our favorite 2023 performers:
Manny Walters
Manny Walters, the star of one of Sofar’s most-viewed performances, released a new single this year titled “First Time.” Speaking of firsts, Sofar caught up with Manny at SXSW in March, discovering that it marked his inaugural trip to the US for a performance!
Check out Manny’s latest single:
Victoria Canal
In 2023, Victoria Canal won the Ivor Novello Rising Star award, headlined a U.S. and European tour, performed around Europe with Hozier, dropped a new single featuring Madison Cunningham, and appeared on the Apple TV+ show Little America. Talk about a meteoric rise.
Victor Ray
This year, the London singer went from busking to signing with the legendary Decca Records. Victor Ray also played at the Latitude Festival, grew his TikTok followers to 2.8M, and showcased his talent at his inaugural Sofars in Los Angeles, marking his first Sofar performances outside of London.
Lola Young
Lola Young released their debut album My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely in May. The lead track, “Don’t Hate Me” has been streamed over 18M times on Spotify.
NEONE The Wonderer
NEONE The Wonderer was featured on our Sofar Artists to Watch list at the start of the year and fully delivered. He was featured on the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds and nominated for the MOBO Unsung Class of 2023, alongside fellow Sofar artists Josh Barry, Bea Anderson, Ace Clvrk, Deja, Young Athena, Gabriel Sanches, and Melica.
N’famady Kouyate
After making his way around SXSW and Latitude, the Guinea-born, Cardiff, UK-based balafon player emerged as one of the winners of the Emerging Talent Contest for the legendary Glastonbury Festival, alongside the fellow Sofar artist Prima Queen. In June, N’famady seized the opportunity, playing nine times across the weekend at various stages at the huge site, which is home to 250,000 music fans.
Check out his performance of his track “Aros i Fi Yna” in the BBC studio.
Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean’s debut album reached number 4 in the UK charts. She was named the Samsung Rising Star at the GLAMOUR Magazine Awards and started her European Tour, which continues on the road again in April.
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