If you’ve been following Sofar for some time, you’ve probably heard us mention several major artists (Leon Bridges, Hozier, Ed Sheeran, Yebba, Andra Day, Wolf Alice, Billie Eilish; the list goes on) that have played Sofar shows. But these aren’t the only notable artists who have played Sofars over the years.
Take a look at some incredible performances from five noteworthy artists you might have seen and heard before.
Teddy Swims
At just 31, Atlanta’s Teddy Swims has lived a life of many twists and turns. He’s fronted heavy metal bands, performed musical theater, and covered Shania Twain. Now he’s quite rightly getting the attention he deserves. Blending R&B, soul, and pop, Swims creates a distinct sound that you’ll want to listen to over-and-over.
His 2023 track “Lose Control” saw him shoot to stardom and a spot in the Billboard Hot 100, and his debut album I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1) garnered wide acclaim and hit Number 43 in the US charts.
Teddy graced the stage at Sofar London to perform “Lose Control”:
But he didn’t stop there. Teddy then swept us off out feet with a cover of John Legend’s “Ordinary People” featuring the incredible Victor Ray:
Sam Tompkins
A singer-songwriter who is impossible to pigeon-hole, Sam Tompkins‘ delicate vocals on “Hero” will make you stop dead in your tracks. An ode to his father, the song’s studio version is powerful enough to make you forget what you were doing and think about your own loved ones. But live, and with just acoustic accompaniment? The song is elevated to a whole other level.
The audience at this Los Angeles show in May of 2022 were treated to a special backyard performance of “Hero” that lives long in the memories of those who attended. Tompkins will be on tour in Europe in April, supporting The Kid LAROI. You don’t want to miss him play live.
Infinity Song
Five siblings from New York city, Infinity Song were always set for a life of music. Homeschooled academically and musically by parents who founded the Boys and Girls Choir of Detroit, they were street performing around the Big Apple while their friends sat in classrooms studying trigonometry. Now signed to Roc Nation, their 2020 debut album, Mad Love, was met with critical acclaim.
Check out their early Listening Room performance from December 2020:
KOKOROKO
The female-led London seven-piece, KOKOROKO have gained notoriety for seamlessly blending jazz and Afrobeat. In 2019, The Guardian called them “ones to watch” after their track “Abusey Junction” picked up over 20 million listens. They released their debut album, Could We Be More, back in 2022 and this year they’re playing Coachella.
Back in 2016, they graced the stage at a London Sofar to play a cover of Fela Kuti’s “Colonial Mentality”:
Jade Bird
Vulnerable yet powerful, romantic yet heartbroken, Jade Bird wears all her emotions on her sleeve and leaves you to draw your own conclusions. A graduate of the famous BRIT school in London, whose list of alumni reads as a who’s who of UK music from the last 30 years. Bird is also a favorite of the influential UK radio station XFM.
You’re in for a treat with this Listening Room live session, recorded during the lockdown as a gift to those stuck indoors. It was a gift back then and it’s a gift to this day.
Come see who will next hit the big time at a Sofar near you.
