Africa on the Move and Africa on Music this Sunday with the Sofar franchise (Songs from a Room) which since 2009 has offered intimate and secret concerts in unusual places around the world and in Africa…In Lagos, Addis Ababa, in Mauritius or Dakar it is an experience that lovers of music and live shows appreciate.
For a good fifteen years, the first Sofar concerts saw the light of day in England and since then, the concept of these intimate and ephemeral shows has spread across the world and particularly in Africa: in Ethiopia, Nigeria…
Collectives of music lovers organize themselves to prepare extraordinary concerts to the extent that neither the location, nor the date, nor even the artists who will perform, are known until the last moment.
This is how in Mauritius, the first concert organized by Samantha Shegobin took place…. in a hair salon.
“It was good” remembers this Mauritian Sofar ambassador “ It was the very first one, so people didn’t really know Sofar before. The location is revealed 36 hours before the show. And the artists remain secret until the show begins. So yes, people liked it. It’s a good community experience because I think we’re building a global community that supports local and international artists. Each event brings together those who share a passion for music and culture ».
Those who share a passion for music and culture
Raphael Hilarion, in Senegal, also adheres to this philosophy. Three years ago, with his comrade Marie Nore, they organized their first musical event Sofar in an art gallery in Dakar, Plateau.
« Basically, it’s a somewhat exclusive event, where we will welcome between 50 and 70 people. We organize this every month and a half and in totally different places: in a museum, it could be in a brewery, in a boat… We try to find places in which we would not expect to have a concert . On our Instagram page people who follow us must send us an email to say they are interested. People who register trust us. The location is revealed 48 hours before and they discover the artists. Each artist will play thirty minutes and then there is a fifteen minute break. As a result, artists can also discuss with this new audience. We have a closeness that we don’t necessarily usually have in concert halls ».
Typically, musicians’ performances are interspersed with fashion shows; linked to a plastic art exhibition or even gastronomic tastings. Marie Nore particularly remembers their last musical happening during the Dakar Biennale.
Play in a meaningful place
In an exhibition which took place at the foot of the Renaissance Monument, the theme of the exhibition focused on eco feminism and agroecology, and the place of women in agroecology.
And for me, it was magical because even if we had artists play, we had them play in a place that made sense.”
Success with the public eager for discovery, success also with the musicians who willingly lend themselves to the game of improvisation. Senegalese singer and kora player Senny Camara.
“These Sofar concerts are intimate concerts, we are close to the public, there is a connection with the public. After the concert, it’s family friendly, we ask questions and I really like this concept! It’s like in a living room, you’re there, you chat and you share, real sharing. Well done to them for thinking of doing this! Because we didn’t have that in Senegal, it’s great for young people!! »
The next meeting for Sofar in Dakar will be by the end of January. Don’t ask us where, when, or with whom exactly, because for that, you’ll have to consult their Instagram account and sign up for a unique musical moment.
