Intimate shows spotlight area artists—who remain unknown until the set starts.
To attend this secret music show, all I knew was that I needed to be there by 8 p.m., and that if I wanted to be comfortable, I should bring a blanket.
When my friend and I walked into Vent Coffee Roasters, the Union Collective caffeine hotspot was stripped down even further than its signature minimalist vibe. With unfinished wood benches pushed to the side, the space opened up significantly, leaving the concrete floor as the lone seating option for the show.
A single mic stand artfully draped with a string of lights stood as a makeshift stage, seemingly fashioned after a summer camp talent show. The usual pre-concert chatter of which songs we thought the musicians would sing was replaced with energetic conversation between local strangers who had congregated to this secret destination in the name of loving live music.
Every Sofar Sounds show is shrouded with this same sense of mystery and simplicity, but don’t mistake its uncomplicated design for lack of professionalism. The program’s cryptic setup—with the venue’s address only revealed the night before via email and its three artists introduced on the spot—pays homage to Sofar’s humble beginnings.
For the full article, visit Baltimore magazine
RODLYN-MAE BANTING 
Leave a comment