{"id":263444,"date":"2026-06-11T17:51:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T17:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/263444\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T17:51:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T17:51:34","slug":"sofar-sounds-brings-concerts-and-connection-to-yonkers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/263444\/","title":{"rendered":"Sofar Sounds Brings Concerts and Connection to Yonkers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 914 music scene is getting a fun addition to its already vibrant culture. Sofar Sounds, a company that organizes live music events in cities across the world, will touch down in Yonkers sometime this fall. Founded in 2009 by London creatives Rafe Offer, Rocky Start, and Dave Alexander, Sofar Sounds seeks to transform unconventional venues into intimate stages for up-and-coming artists. Apartments, art galleries, clothing stores, and churches\u2014cozy community spaces that are not typically used for concerts\u2014are just a few examples.<\/p>\n

Sofar has a track record of highlighting stars right before they take off. Musicians like Billie Eilish, Olivia Dean, and Hozier all played gigs organized by Sofar early in their careers. Is the world\u2019s next pop icon right here in Westchester?<\/p>\n

Follow the Music<\/p>\n

Since its founding, Sofar Sounds has introduced its widely popular concert model<\/a> across the globe. It has established chapters in over 300 cities worldwide\u2014including New York City, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Melbourne\u2014but recently shifted its focus to hosting in mid-sized metropolitan areas. That\u2019s where Yonkers comes into the picture.<\/p>\n

\"SofarPhoto courtesy of Sofar Sounds. Photo by Segal Photography
\nCommunity Connection With Sofar Sounds<\/p>\n

When organizing in a new city, the Sofar team gauges the community\u2019s musical interests and needs. Local producers who live in the area are hired; their role is to seek out compelling locations for shows and find artists to play them. (The Yonkers chapter of Sofar is currently hiring local producers; check out this application<\/a> if you\u2019re interested.)<\/p>\n

Once a show is announced, those interested in attending a Sofar show buy tickets online. Venue addresses aren\u2019t revealed right away and only become available to ticket holders via email within 15 minutes of purchase. If a resident has a fitting event space in mind, Sofar also accepts suggestions through its website.<\/p>\n

\"SofarPhoto courtesy of Sofar Sounds<\/p>\n

\u201cTypically, we\u2019re looking for spaces that fit 200 people or fewer so we can keep things feeling intimate,\u201d says Chyna Brackeen, vice president of experiences at Sofar Sounds. \u201cPeople who come to our shows will sometimes say, \u2018My neighbor has this huge backyard that feels like you\u2019re in the middle of a forest. Wouldn\u2019t it be cool to do a show there?\u2019 We\u2019ll definitely take those suggestions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Play on<\/p>\n

Musicians interested in playing a Sofar Sounds concert can fill out an application form online, which asks for one to three live performance videos and basic profile information. To keep things accessible for budding artists, Sofar does not consider touring history, social media presence, or similar components.<\/p>\n

Each Sofar show typically includes three acts on the bill. There\u2019s no specific headliner, giving each act an equal opportunity to show off their skills. All genres are welcome; R&B, pop, folk rock, and funk are just a few examples of sounds you might hear at a Sofar set.<\/p>\n

Hitting the Right Notes<\/p>\n

Along with giving local artists a chance to shine, Sofar\u2019s goal is to bring community members together through their love of music. Whether it leads to friendship\u2014or even romance\u2014Brackeen hopes their shows can be a \u201cthird space\u201d for the music lovers of Yonkers to feel connected with their neighbors.<\/p>\n

\"SofarPhoto courtesy of Sofar Sounds. Photo by DeniseDocumented<\/p>\n

If all goes well with the Yonkers launch, there might be plans to bring Sofar shows further up the Hudson. \u201cWe are currently recruiting in the mid and upper Hudson Valley,\u201d shares Brackeen. \u201cWe want to expand into the Rivertowns as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more updates on future shows, follow @sofaryonkers<\/a> and @sofarsounds<\/a> on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Related: Capitol Theatre Owner Peter Shapiro Reflects on 100 Years<\/a><\/p>\n