SOFAR SOUNDS: The Most Intimate Gigs Around Kampala

The first time I went for a Sofar Sounds concert was also the first time I had a really really good burger, (I’m still wondering what that topping was…) and then a great performance ensued, by Akogo Sings. Her smooth vocals and free-spirited performance had me in my feels as she sang about a lost lover.

The crowd kept cheering her on, yet in an organized way. “Sing girllll!” and “wuhuuu” in between bursts of laughter and screams of elation made the entire experience more fantastic. People were seated on the floor, on scarfs they brought from home, and others with stools in the extreme corners.

By the end of the show, I ensured to follow each of performers on Instagram since I didn’t know them prior. Sofar Sounds has become the target space for not just singers but other forms of art like rap, poetry, and spoken word. Photographers are also finding these lively concerts a creative oasis, as they snap shots of unbothered ecstatic attendees.

Karen, the team lead of Sofar Sounds shares with us how these underground concerts are taking root in Kampala and how they are bouncing back after a long pandemic pause.

About Sofar Kampala

Sofar is rooted in London where two friends went to watch a band. After getting in, people were so many, it was so loud and uncomfortable in every sense. They were so unhappy with the experience so they invited 8 friends to watch a musician play in their seating room.

The experience was intimate, fun and close, no one was pushing anyone and what began as a hobby is now a global trend.

In Uganda, Sofar has existed since 2017, when Amaru, a Ugandan New York-based student one evening, a friend invited her to a Sofar concert, the idea interested her that she couldn’t keep it to herself. Amaru, being an artist shared her experience with a Ugandan friend called Sitenda who was also a musician living in Brazil and together they attended the next New York Sofar show together.

When they came back to Uganda, they shared the concept with a small group of people. Amaru explained how some good Ugandan artists like herself didn’t perform in Uganda because the venues were loud and they didn’t get to be intimate with the guests. The group went ahead to apply to Sofar and soon realized they were required to get a team of people. The team had to include a venue person, photographer, videographers and an artists’ liaison and two team leads to do the communications and management. “We went to Nairobi to watch a Sofar so that we could understand how everything works and conceptualize the idea well.” Karen narrates.

When we returned from Nairobi, our application had been accepted. On the first Sunday of April 2017 at Wizards studio, our first Sofar show was held. Amaru invited her friend artists Wake, Moroots, and Abaasa to perform. Everyone on the team was going to invite friends for the first show since no one knew about the show.

After the artists performed, we passed around a hat and people contributed willingly. Now since Amaru is not in Uganda, and Sitenda is no longer on the team, I currently lead a team and 5 years down the road we are still growing.

Before lockdown we had started doing two Sundays in a month but we now do one show per month every first Sunday.

Sofar stands for Songs From A Room

The Unique Artists

Artists are free to apply through the Sofar website by sharing links and their contact information where the applications are reviewed by the artist liaison. Karen however declares “I will not deny that I have outsourced some artists from the jam sessions or live music Performances I attend around hang out spots or taken recommendations but at least I insist on them dropping an application. Artists are free to apply through our website by sharing links”  

The performances are very diverse in subjective and artistic expressions, when I ask Karen about the intentionality of this arrangement she agrees saying “Yes! We want each Sofar show line-up to feature performers that vary in genre and sound. Some past favourites include spoken word, poetry, comedy and even dance. We consider any and all applicable performance styles. The most important part of the application is the live video—as most events are unplugged, an acoustic or stripped-back performance video helps the team envision how your set will work in our unique venues.”

I managed to catchup with a previous Sofar performer Kabera Angel, a Ugandan spoken word poet with a great love for music. She describes her artistry saying; “I tend to fuse both poetry and music into what I call “soetry”. Humility is my temple and Christ is my God.” When I inquired on how she got the gig, Angel said she was contacted by Sofar as a referral by a previous performer Jason Ntaro.

“My experience was lovely to say the least. The management is organized and communicates exquisitely. The audience is one of kind, they are people who truly understand and appreciate art.” She says, adding “the venue is warm, the sound and set team are friendly and cooperative. Sofar is a beautiful experience and I’m not just saying that for the article- it truly is one to beat.”

Sofar Sounds’ growth has relied on empowering its community. That includes treating celebrities like any other attendee. Karen believes that every musician is equal. “I’ve never believed in headliners. It’s always seemed strange that one act is up in lights and the others are teeny-tiny and people talk even more when the first act is on.” That is one of the reasons why the organizers never announce artists unless there’s a special occasion. Because everybody’s equal.

Karen is sure to say that if anyone applies and meets the standards to perform at Sofar, they will be given the platform regardless of your affluence.

Unique Venues

Sofar shows take place in a wide range of venues (both residential and commercial)— from homes and lofts to breweries, rooftops, a bus, a boat, temple and or boutique shops.

There is no place we can’t be, if the environment is just right. Interested hosts apply and the venue team always reach out, however the bare minimum to use any hosts space is if it can host 40 people, it’s surrounding shouldn’t be loud. The hosts should understand the Sofar concept. If you are worried about the esthetics then don’t, the team usually ensure they can flip your space from an ordinary sitting room into an intimate space.

Safety

I ask Karen how they ensure everyone’s safety, especially during these times, and she responded; “We’ve reviewed our show guidelines from end to end, and have made up dates to ensure the safety of our guests, artists and hosts. Some of the things being done to ensure safety include; Requiring proof of vaccination OR a negative COVIDPCR test within 72 hours of the show date from all guests, artists and Sofar staff, requiring masks in locations with mask mandates for public spaces. Ensuring our venues have hand washing stations and/or hand sanitizer. Updating how processes to be contactless wherever possible. Updating training for event teams new best practices and procedures for event safety.”

Supporting Ugandan Artists

Early March last year we suspended all Sofar shows and we advanced a full show payment to all artists who had a Sofar event cancelled. A Sofar global artist fund was established with an initial goal of $250,000, which will be focused on providing direct financial support to the artists who rely on Sofar and other local gigs to make a living. An online listening room was created where Sofar communities around the world can come together. It features livestreaming performances, video premieres and conversations with artists from around the world. Fans will be able to donate directly to featured artists or make a contribution to the Sofar Global Artist Fund but also, we rolled out exclusive content for Sofar artists, including a series of online meetups and webinars and excited to connect artists with their amazing educators.

According to Jamie Intwari, a photographer for the event, “I started taking images for Sofar gigs in 2019 after a photographer friend(Ninno) invited me to one. I got interest after seeing online that he was part of the team. He introduced me to the team and I submitted in the photos I took that day. I was excited when I saw that they were posted and I started photographing after that. I should say my experience has been amazing, Sofar has opened the world for, I was just starting out, getting used to Uganda and Kampala, did not know many people but Sofar has changed that. I love music, I play the piano and watching these artists perform gives me the smiles. And I love that Sofar opens up its doors for them, giving them the platform like it does for us the photographers. I love photographing, that’s why I don’t want to miss any show, getting to photograph people and them actually reaching out after they see their images taken by me is just it for me. Many thanks to Sofar!!”

Up Next

Our next show is on 5th December, we currently having shows every first Sunday of the month. Hopefully we will have more shows as we open up. To attend one has to signup through www.sofarsounds.com/kampala

As for what to look up to in 2022, “I guess we will cross the bridge when we get there but it basically creates more and more platforms for artists” says Karen.

Images courtesy Jamie Intwari

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