Obviously, we love secrets. So when we found out Sofar Sounds was bringing cozy performances with secret lineups to the Bay, we just had to see what it was all about. While we knew the venue this time around, every artist was kept a secret until the day of the concert — and we weren’t too sure what to expect. In the end, it was a thrilling night out in SF that we’d sign up for again and again. Keep reading for our full review of the concert experience!
Table Of Contents
Where was this concert, you ask?
The concept of Sofar performances is that they are all completely secret. That means a secret location as well as a secret lineup. For this first Sofar Sounds x Fever concert, we were told the performance would take place at Padlet, Graham Street’s vibrant and warm taproom, event space and community hub. Knowing we would get to experience up-and-coming SF artists while sipping on some delicious beer already had us excited. Still, we weren’t too sure if we would like the artists performing — that is until they made it on stage!
The artists blew us away
As the artists came on one after the other, we felt part of an exclusive club. These 3 performers — who nobody knew would sing here until minutes ago — are here, in this cozy venue, just for us? The artists encouraged us all to clap, repeat lyrics and bop our heads to the rhythm, engaging us like no other. And since the concert was small, it helped us focus on each artist and their musical universe. Since there are no headliners at Sofar concerts, we could give our full attention to every performer, and truly listen to the music — free from any distractions.
We created bonds with other attendees
All throughout the performance, we were immersed in the collective energy of the room. In the intimate setting, every unexpected glance as the next artist took the stage, every subtle movement, and every applause at the end of each song felt magnified. The lights felt more colorful and the music more alive. Our senses heightened, we smiled at fellow concert-goers, feeling that we were all drawn to this spot for a reason. Dramatic, we know — but that feeling of unity was real.
So, what’s next?
After the concert, we received a little surprise in our inbox. Sofar Sounds sent us a recap of the performance, including the names of the artists we met that evening and ways to stay connected with them. You know that feeling when you have an artist’s name on the tip of your tongue, or when you remember the melody of a song but can’t recall the title? Yeah, it was such a relief to have Sofar check in. We ran to Spotify to follow our new favorite artists and download the jams we’d been meaning to save.
Final words
Going to our first Sofar concert was an experience that we’d love to do again. It was lovely to opt out of the large concerts for once, instead listening to music in a small venue with like-minded people. Definitely add it to your L.A. bucket list!
Attending our first Sofar concert was truly an unforgettable experience that we would definitely do again. It was a refreshing change of pace to step away from the large-scale concerts and instead enjoy music in a small, intimate venue surrounded by other music lovers. We totally recommend adding it to your list of things to do in the Bay.