Discover Sofar, this evening concept which organizes intimate concerts in secret places in Toulouse

A date. No location or programming in advance. A reduced gauge. These are the characteristics of Sofar evenings. In Toulouse, around fifteen volunteers have been organizing intimate concerts in secret locations since 2017. They allow you to see three musicians or groups live, mostly from Toulouse, who play for half an hour each. The event is repeated once a month, generally on the last Saturday of the month. In mid-December, for example, it was the house of a couple, in the Saint-Cyprien district, which hosted the lives of Tavî (Kurdish rock), Jorys Lecabel (psychedelic synthpop) and Danger Zoo (rock nursery rhymes). ), in front of an audience of around sixty guests.

“A common vibe”

The programming is eclectic, and lends itself to confidential locations. Tattoo parlor, coworking space, apartment, tea room, cat bar… The chosen sites are not usually suitable for concerts. They are found by word of mouth and allow for great discoveries, in exceptional conditions. We saw the Toulouse rapper HYL singing at the Cerisiers recording studio, before his concert at the Rex.

“It’s a suspended moment each time,” confides Augustin, who created the Toulouse team Sofar. There is no delay, everyone sits and listens religiously.” The organization is carried out by volunteers, who do not generate any profit from these evenings. It is more of an “exchange of good practices” which allows everyone to share a friendly moment.

The Sofar concept was born from an English label in 2009, and has since been available in 400 cities around the world, where communities of volunteers have been formed independently. To participate, you must register on the Sofar Sounds Toulouse website and wait for the draw, which takes place one week before the event. The address is communicated by email to those selected at the last minute. The concerts are video recorded and broadcast on the Sofar Sounds YouTube channel, which has 1.43 million subscribers. “It allows us to highlight local artists internationally,” adds Augustin. “And to contribute to a community of concerts organized around the world.”

If you want to try to participate in the next Sofar evening, know that the planned date is Saturday January 25. The rest, you will find out later…