THIS past Saturday, Songs From A Room (Sofar) witnessed a record nine shows taking place simultaneously across nine cities around the world.
The globally-connected music network hosted its trademark secret concerts on 15 February in Islamabad (Pakistan), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Beirut (Lebanon), Berlin (Germany), Tenerife (Spain), Toulouse (France), Dakar (Senegal), Réunion Island, Singapore, and Harare.
Sofar Beirut held its first show of the new year at Théâtre Élysée, a historic performing arts theatre in Sassine, eastern Beirut.
Several cities added unique twists to their concerts, with Sofar Amsterdam hosting a Singles Night-themed show and Harare honouring Black History Month, featuring multi-award-winning Zimbabwean-Mozambican guitarist, composer, singer, and songwriter Sylent Nqo and The Noisemakers.
Songwriter and composer Nicholas Mutuwa, as well as Exodus Chauke and The Fun’tastic 4, completed the lineup.
Organisers in Harare activated the city’s seventeenth edition, hosting it at KwaKrys, a private residence located in the picturesque suburb of Philadelphia in Borrowdale.
The stage was set in a spacious garden perched at the edge of a miniature ravine, with a lush canopy of trees stretching out into the distance. The unique environment allowed artists to perform on natural turf, far removed from the usual glare of stage lights and screaming crowds.
“I had so much fun. It was one of the most captivating shows I have been to in a while,” Mutuwa told IndependentXtra.
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“It was a show that I felt such a connection with, and a stage that I wouldn’t mind returning to again. The audience was so receptive and encouraging, indulging in my performance in a way that made me appreciate the stage at Sofar. It was an experience and a half, and I felt special to be included in this edition.”
A highly-talented and versatile musician, Mutuwa has made a name for herself in the local music industry. She opened the show and was accompanied by Tinotenda Zingapeta on bass and Caleb Chikomwe on the keyboard.
As usual, a multi-cultural audience found their way to the venue, carrying cushions, blankets, and garden chairs, and spread themselves out in the expansive garden, with some sitting on the upper deck of the garden.
“My experience with Sofar has always been positive. It is an open space to meet new and interesting artists from different musical genres,” regular guest Ana Carolina shared during an interview.
“Last Saturday was in a very nice space, in the garden, with impressive music by the three artists, and especially Sylent Nqo and his collaboration with Kyla Blac, whom I met at a past Sofar show more than a year ago, was amazing,” she said.
Eloquent keyboard player Exodus took the stage, forming a dynamic trio with drummer Tichaona Muchemwa and Tinotenda Zingapeta on bass.
Together, they delivered unique renditions of timeless classics, including Pata Pata from Miriam Makeba’s 1967 album of the same title.
The performance was elevated by Exodus’s innovative use of a talk box, a tube connected from his mouth to a synthesiser, producing unique vocal-like sounds reminiscent of American musician Roger Troutman’s iconic contribution to Tupac Shakur’s hit song California Love (1995).
The afternoon’s final act, Sylent Nqo, took the stage. Affectionately known as the Guitar Sangoma, the dreadlocked virtuoso, who last year signed a recording contract with music label Bridgenorth Music, is rapidly emerging as a global talent, boasting not only explosive guitar skills but also globally appealing vocal projections.
The Chanaka hitmaker delivered a powerhouse performance alongside his four-piece band, showcasing exceptional musicianship that charmed the audience, with the highlight being his collaboration with Sofar Harare alumni Kyla Blac on the track Good One.
Event organisers issued a call for event and logistical support, pledging to continue curating exciting musical escapades across the city, showcasing local talent and unveiling new artists, while promising music enthusiasts more thrilling shows to come.
With activations in 400 cities across the world, Sofar has established a massive network of artists and music curators that have connected music lovers from different backgrounds.
