Sofar Sounds started with a burning question: “How can we preserve the magic of live shows that is often ruined by overcrowded venues and production errors?”
The solution was to create an intimate space that gave artists and audiences an opportunity to connect on a much deeper level. What started as eight people gathered in the living room in 2009 has garnered a worldwide audience and appeal. Who would have thought that an idea among a group of friends sharing a drink on a living room floor would evolve into a global phenomenon?
Sofar has redefined what it means to host a live event by emphasizing the core reason fans gather in the first place: a sense of community. Sofar transforms everyday spaces – such as rooftops, living rooms, or art galleries – into intimate, captivating venues for secret live music performances. Each Sofar event is intentionally small-scale and typically showcases three diverse musical acts, without a designated headliner.
Needless to say, the Sofar experience is far from conventional. Prospective guests are only informed about the details of the exact location and performing artist a day prior to the event. Sounds absurd? About a hundred people would disagree.
Even if the sessions are designed to be intimate, they are still very popular. On Sept. 12, 2025, Sofar Tulsa held a live session at Chimera Cafe, which featured budding artist Micaela Young and Grammy-nominated artist Josiah Bassey.
Micaela Young is an indie pop artist who pairs breathy and melancholic vocals with raw and vulnerable lyricism. She performed one of her hit singles, “You Look at Me Like Art,” which she says is a gentle reminder to herself that she was intentionally created by God, whom she credits as a source of inspiration for most of her music. The crowd was touched by her delicate lyrics in which she expressed a longing to return to the innocence of childhood, where she was less conscious of her perceived flaws.
Following her performance, Josiah Bassey hit the stage. Bassey was born in Nigeria. His love for music began in church, where he learned to play multiple instruments, including drums, piano, and guitar. Aside from being an amazing instrumentalist, he has also written songs for many popular acts, such as Nigerian artist Tiwa Savage and American singer-songwriter H.E.R.
In 2022, Bassey was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for co-writing “Hold Us Together.” During his set, he performed various songs from his then-unreleased sophomore album, “Nervous.” He starts with “My Woman,” a soulful Afrobeats masterpiece, which is a gentle nod to his Nigerian heritage.
He also performed “Cover Me,” which he tells the audience was born out of a pivotal place in his faith journey as he experienced a transition in his personal life. Finally, he performed “Can’t Keep Loving You,” a jazz pop song about unrequited love. It quickly became a crowd favorite when he invited audience members to join him in his performance.
Sofar Sounds has altered live events as we know them. With performances all over the world, the true extent of their impact has only begun.
For information about events by Sofar Sounds, visit https://www.sofarsounds.com/
