Sofar Fringe: A festival re-imagined the Sofar way

A Sofar Sounds showcase in London, presented as the Sofar Fringe, bringing together R&B, soul, funk, gospel and reggae acts in one evening of live performance. The night takes place at 83 Rivington Street.

Sofar Sounds is a community that stages intimate concerts in unusual settings, with performers chosen by the organisers and the audience invited to listen without interruption. This edition, titled Sofar Fringe, is framed as a festival re-imagined in the Sofar way, and its line-up draws on five related styles: R&B, soul, funk, gospel and reggae. The common thread is the emphasis on vocal and rhythmic music, rooted in the African American and Caribbean traditions that shaped each genre.

The evening is aimed at listeners who want to discover new artists in a small-scale, listening-focused setting rather than a large arena show. Because the programme spans several genres, it suits anyone curious about how soul, funk and reggae have influenced contemporary R&B.

The event is held at 83 Rivington Street, a London venue that hosts concerts. Visitors interested in the Sofar format will find that the emphasis is on the performers and the music rather than on the building itself.