Sofar Sounds Comes to Austin

Sofar Sounds, in collaboration with dating app Bumble, present an intimate setting to discover new music.

By Janaye Barabin, Photos by Cy White

Calling all music lovers! If you’re a fan of finding new artists and hearing fresh new music, you’d better find your next Sofar Sounds event. It’s the ultimate secret pop-up show. Because the venue is only released the day before and the artists when they perform, the concerts have an intimate and exclusive feel.

The lineup for the show on April 14 was a mix of genres, featuring artists Mélat, Tony22 and Clarence Thomas. Sofar Sounds partnered with Bumble for this Austin show. The concert was hosted at Aviator Nation on South Congress, and the venue was absolutely stunning. Bursting with color and carefully illuminated by soft lights, keeping the atmosphere cozy. It seemed like the perfect place to host a concert like this. From the line of guitars on the wall to the stage, where the artists would perform against a collage of classic albums from artists like Jimi Hendrix and Patsy Cline. 

While waiting for the show to begin, more and more people began to stream in. You could hear everyone mingling and the subtle clink of bottles. (The shows are usually BYOB.) As It came closer to showtime, attendees began to find their spots among the spread of blankets and pillows on the floor. When the spotlights turned on, you could feel the anticipation as everyone waited to see who was performing.

Unforgettable Performances

The first performance was by R&B artist Mélat. Her presence was captivating, and her voice even more so. She opened with a cover of the Fugees rendition of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly,” putting her own twist on it. Her sound is reminiscent of old-school R&B and soul, but it beautifully incorporates elements of today’s music as well. She had the crowd completely entranced. Everyone was either swaying or bobbing their heads to the beat, cheering when she hit a particularly impressive run. Her set ended too soon, leaving us all wanting more.

The next artist was Tony22. He kept the crowd laughing between songs and gave a very dynamic performance. He’s a great singer who effortlessly switches between singing and rapping. 

Clarence Thomas closed out the show with his band who definitely did not disappoint. When he introduced himself, he had a sincere and honest energy. His voice definitely leaves an impression, and you can tell he’s passionate about his music.

If you can grab a ticket to a Sofar show, you’re in for a treat. It’s perfect for date nights or even just a girl’s night. Who knows? You might just walk out of there with a new favorite artist.