Scrolling back through the photo roll for the year can bring about some serious nostalgia. This year’s most memorable Sofar performances took place inside caverns, on boats, and featured unique artist-created instruments. Here are the top 10 performances of 2023 to get you hyped for a new year of new music, new spaces, and new memories to come.
Mar!k | London
While there’s not much movement happening in Madame Tussauds, Mar!k moved the room with his ability to take random words from the audience (“Badam,” included) and freestyle a whole song on.the.spot. Freddie Mercury was proud (even though his face didn’t move).
Robert Randolph Band | Tennessee
Deep in The Caverns of Pelham, Tennessee played the Robert Randolph Band in one of our most dynamic performances of the year (literally, the audience couldn’t stay off the stage). We’re super jealous of everyone who got to partake in this extra sensorial experience (there was food there, too).
LEILEN | Cancún
As their lyric goes, no se que paso…but we know it did. This easy, breezy, once-in-a-blue-moon (err… blue ocean) performance by LEILEN took place on a large sailboat off the coast of Cancún. Take us there, we want to go there.
Sam Tompkins | Los Angeles
Being able to create a vibe with just an acoustic guitar is a tall order, but Sam Tompkins slayed the most LA vignette ever (a backyard) with showstopping vocals that called upon the Santa Anas.
Samar Mehdi | London
You would think Samar Mehdi had five hundred hands with his ability to create a multitude of sounds from his acoustic guitar inside Rosslyn Hill Chapel. Judging by the applause from the audience, it’s plausible that they, too, had five hundred hands.
Neil Frances | Miami
Music in Miami is about movement. Neil Frances brought the beats in an electronic performance that felt like disco met electronic dance met your best memory ever. There’s no way to listen to this without getting on your feet and imagining yourself in a Paul Thomas Anderson movie.
Rajesh Nepali | Delhi
As one YouTube commenter put it… “sound caress my ears.” At this phenomenal performance, Rajesh Nepali tore through the piano keys as artfully as he did the vocals. This is the kind of performance you just don’t see coming for you—and then it never leaves you.
Criibaby | East Bay
Transcend. ✓ Transcend. ✓ Then, transcend some more. ✓ This improvised performance by Criibaby features an entirely unique instrument that she designed all her own. She takes the audience to a whole new world of sound.
B.K Habermehl | Los Angeles
Surprise, surprise! Leave it to B.K. Habermehl and her band bring “a couple tricks up (their) sleeves.” This buoyant performance captured a quintessential LA vibe, leaving the audience bopping and bobbing for the rest of the night. Cool never looked this easy.
Bombay Bicycle Club | London
Capturing the true Sofar essence of an intimate show, Bombay Cycle Club lifted everyone’s spirits with a group performance that made the room feel like they were a part of the band.
Has all this reminiscing got you amped for new music in 2024? Start making plans by finding a Sofar show in your area at sofarsounds.com.
