After attending my first show in August, I knew that Sofar Sounds wasn’t an event I’d only want to attend once, and I’m so glad I went to the show on the 12th of December at Fabrica in Brighton. As someone who loves music and loves discovering new artists, I felt like this particular show was curated especially for me ( thanks Raf and the rest of the team 😉 ).
All three acts that took to the stage on this night were ones I would love to see perform again and will definitely buy tickets to their future shows. It’s not often someone can say that after seeing three completely unknown artists to them, there wasn’t one song they didn’t enjoy, but somehow the artists who performed on the 12th of December at Fabrica did not have one unenjoyable song, and their overall performances were wonderful.
I listen to a lot of different music genres, and in my opinion, this is what makes Sofar Sounds in Brighton an amazing experience and something you should put on your to-do list while in the city.
So What Is Sofar Sounds?
Sofar Sounds is a music event company that was started in 2009. They offer concerts all over the world, and what makes the experience truly unique is that you can choose the area in which you want to attend a show, but the venue itself is revealed 36 hours before the show through an email.
Shows can take place in food establishments, parks, or even churches and beyond; you never know what to expect! When curating shows, the team is inclusive and ensures gender and race equality when picking performers. The acts that perform at the show (usually 3) are revealed on the day of the show, or you can attend without looking at the email or their social media to make the event an even bigger surprise.
At present, shows can be attended in over 400 cities, so if you fall in love with the concept (and trust me, you will!) you might even be able to attend a show during your next staycation or holiday abroad.
The Venue: Fabrica
The first Sofar Sounds event of December took place at Fabrica in Brighton, which is an art space offering year-round exhibitions. This Grade II listed building transforms into an intimate venue during the festive season and during the Sofar Sounds event with fairy lights and light-up stars adorned to the walls above, a Christmas tree, and electric candles near the stage area, creating a cosy atmosphere. The overall decor of the venue gave it a festive feel and got me really excited for Christmas.
I arrived about 10 minutes before the show was due to start, and as this was a sold-out show, there weren’t many seats left, but my friend and I managed to get the last two seats. Many people stood around the sides, leaning against the wall or on the tables, but this wasn’t an issue at all (if you’re late, they might not let you in, so make sure to come early or you’ll likely have to wait for the next break to start).
This time before entering, my friend and I were asked for our names and given a tiny black stamp on our hands with an S in the middle. I thought this was super cool!
After entering the venue we queued at the bar to get a drink. Food wasn’t served at this venue but people were welcome to bring some snacks from outside. We had a look at the drink menu. Alcoholic drinks (including mulled wine) and non-alcoholic drinks were available. After getting a Diet Coke each we found the last free seats on a bench which had a good view of the stage.
To our far right by the wall was a merch stand where people were encouraged to scan QR codes to receive information about future shows and have a chat with the artists after their performance during the 10-minute intervals.
The Experience: Sofar Sounds Brighton
The event lasted around 2 hours, with each act performing for 30 minutes with a break between each performance. Although this venue had two toilets, the queue during the intervals was very long, but it gave us the opportunity to chat with the people in line.
Once the event started, the host introduced the three artists, who were Rob Green, Bertie, and Bea Maher. I found the overall vibe of this night was very indie with some rap elements. We had a solo performance as well as two band performances.
Rob Green was the first to perform. He could be considered a star already having supported big artists like Michael Buble. Known as ROB.GREEN across platforms, he is a Nottingham-based independent singer/songwriter who blends R&B, Soul, Indie, Rock, and Gospel influences in his guitar-led alt/soul music.
This poet-turned-singer mesmerised the crowd with his voice. His performance got people swaying left to right and was a pleasure to experience. He engaged the crowd by getting us to sing along and played a couple of original songs from his EPs that explored sexuality and religion. We were moved by his performance and impressed by his mix between singing and rapping while performing, and I can confidently say I will be attending his next show in Brighton and can’t get enough of his music playing on repeat.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robgreenmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0df2imDDwdkE9vkDAkbslb?si=x-sbTd5jSuS8yR88b7nbfg
Bertie came on second, and it was nice to experience a full band for the first time. At the previous show I attended, the performances were soloists or duos. Bertie gave off a friendly vibe from the stage and told us about how his career started with working in finance, hating the job and quitting after writing one of his songs.
This indie pop musician has previously sold-out headline shows in London, Oxford, and Tel Aviv. The songs he played were about stages of a relationship, including the start and the end. His lyrics told a story, and the melodies that accompanied them were beautiful. I have followed him on Spotify and can’t wait to hear his future releases.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BertieSongs
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3H6uBudoNirmf3niGCvHWg?si=f41g0lZ8RN-a7f9vn5AmtQ
Last but most definitely not least was Bea Maher, who really got the crowd going. Bea is a singer/songwriter from South London who creates electrifying funk and soul music influenced by Amy Winehouse, Lianne La Havas, and Charlotte Day Wilson.
Her raw storytelling on intimate themes like sex and heartbreak blends perfectly with the soulful melodies and magnetic stage presence, making her a must-see performer. Bea started off her set with two original songs, a cover of Ain’t Nobody, followed by two original songs and one last cover of American Boy. Both covers had the whole crowd singing along, and as for the originals, people were dancing, and those who knew the lyrics sang along.
My favourite part of this performance was when Bea and the rest of the band were joined on stage by Natoflorite, who added a rap verse to one of the songs that were being performed. This was a nice surprise to the set, and the entire song flowed perfectly. I can guarantee that Bea’s dynamic presence and soulful talent left a lasting, positive impression on everyone fortunate enough to witness her performance.
Currently, Bea doesn’t have music released on Spotify, but I believe we will be getting some singles from her in 2024, so make sure to keep an eye on social media. I can tell you now that once she releases her first track, she will be one to look out for and will quickly rise to fame. Mark my words!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beamaher/
Overall Thoughts
I attended this event with my friend Alice, and we had a great time. As two sober individuals, it’s great to find things to do in Brighton that don’t revolve around drinking. I think this is the perfect event to go to with a friend or two; you get to enjoy some good music, dance about, and have a chat in the intervals between artists.
I also loved how personal this particular event felt; maybe being set at a beautiful venue like Fabrica made things feel more intimate, but I loved that people were able to have a chat with the artists and friends came to support the performers. After following the artists on Instagram after the show, I also saw the stories they posted where they showed support to one another while they performed, and I loved this!
It is important to note that not all venues are accessible, but some shows are at accessible venues. Age restrictions may also apply depending on the venue. The tickets to an event are £16, making it an affordable experience, priced around the same price as if you were to attend a concert.
Fun Fact About Sofar Sounds!
Some world-famous artists have performed at past Sofar Sounds shows in different parts of the world before they rose to fame. Some big names you may recognise include Billie Eilish, Jack Harlow, Noah Cyrus, Bastille, and even Hozier. For all you know, one of the acts you see at a Sofar Sounds show you choose to attend might just be the next big thing!
After attending my 2nd show this time at Fabrica, you bet I’ll be back to explore new venues and music in 2024. As always, kudos to the Sofar Sounds team in Brighton for curating yet another unforgettable evening.
To find out more and purchase tickets: https://www.sofarsounds.com/cities/brighton
