A trip without music? Could not be us! Whether you’re heading across the world or just across town, there are plenty of ways to make music the highlight of your journey. From catching live shows in unexpected venues to curating the perfect travel playlist, we’ve rounded up our favorite travel tips for music lovers.
1. Going to a Sofar City?
Before you book that dinner reservation, check the Sofar calendar. Our shows pop up in hundreds of cities across the globe. Picture this: sipping wine at a candlelit jazz set in Paris or watching an emerging indie pop band under string lights in Melbourne.
2. Chat with the Locals
Skip the tourist traps and ask your rideshare driver, barista, or bartender where they go for live music. You’ll find basement venues, rooftop gigs, and hole-in-the-wall treasures you’d never see on TripAdvisor. Our favorite? Finding local record shops to connect, discover, and get details on a show tomorrow night.
3. Pack for the encore
What we mean: wear shoes you can stand in all night and layers for chilly outdoor shows. *Bonus points for a tote bag to stash a vinyl, merch, or umbrella.
4. Create the city soundtrack
Make a playlist for the city you’re visiting; add local artists, vibes, or lyrical homages to cultivate and immerse in your travel experience! Even better, track artists you’ve seen (or want to see) at Sofar. It’ll set the tone and maybe even inspire a last-minute ticket purchase. Or, as always recommended, plan your trip around your favorite artists’ tour dates!
5. Embrace the unfamiliar genre
You wouldn’t eat the same meal every night on vacation, so why stick to one type of music? See a folk trio one night or a hip-hop set the next.
PS Sofar shows make it easy to hop genres and discover new favorites.
6. Don’t have it all planned out
Some of the best gigs happen when you least expect it. Leave a gap in your itinerary so you can say yes when a new friend invites you to a Sofar show, block party, or pop-up performance.
7. Memories > Momentos
Snap a photo of the setlist, jot down the name of that song you loved, and follow the artists after the show. That way, your trip playlist keeps growing long after you’re home.
And the best advice? Finding a Sofar Show in your next destination. With secret concerts around the world, consider us a local friend who always knows where the good music is.
