Sofar #283 London, February 21st 2013

Sometimes discovering the interiors of a city can tickle more curiosity than the usual sight-seeing… you know what to expect when it’s written in your tour book, which is why here at Sofar Sounds, we like to keep the suspense in our spontaneity; our guests often tip toe in, and within seconds, gasp a line of out a movie or claim they are in one.

Tonight we are at Innovation Studios… yep you guessed it, bringing out the secrets of a sizzling Shoreditch. Having travelled across the street, under a bridge and around the corner to be here, I ascend a flight of stairs to reach a solid steel door. I was slightly suspicious at first, until it opened up into a stylish living room. There were clocks on the wall, each borrowing time from a different continent- we are obviously the guests of a global citizen. As the largest strikes eight, the room starts to get steamy, and people are pouring in… A few of us wondering where to put them.

My camera’s getting buried as my comrades cram in, but we are all perfectly happy to be forced into this situation. The reason my friends, well… it’s quite simple. Music appreciation dissolves differences, it brings people together; so close in fact, that not a single squeak of complaint can be heard about the person next to you. Not even the most inappropriate of smells could break this Sofar solidarity.

We are told to hush, and as we abide, we are asked to close our eyes and travel…. A violin strikes a chord, sending us on a journey somewhere classic, authentic, with a twist of Eastern influences; a beat that has hailed us out of this cold European winter and into the warmth of a rich rendezvous. These musicians are currently known under the name of Anna Phoebe, their elegant female frontman. Songs like Duel and A Moment’s Deception defuse into our skin, leaving our hearts beating to the Tabla.

The second act straps himself up with an electric guitar, and quite frankly, finger picks his way into our hearts. He is known by the name of Max Pope, and I can tell you, there’s a lot of hope in these lyrics. He sings songs about the devil being happy, and whilst he’s dripping sweat down his youthful face, I can still hear the girls conversing over his ‘sweet’ sounds.

And then, to demonstrate that Sofar Sounds supports all walks of life… a magician is invited to the stage. I was somewhat thrown by him, possibly because I view all magicians with grave suspicion, but he did well, and by well I mean he really convinced us all of his trickery.

It’s been a while since we got a dose of girl power… And I’m not talking about the Spice Girls, I’m rooting for the Vagabond Trills. These ladies wear their femme on their sleeves, gorgeous harmonies sending us crazy.

And then for the grand finale; a group of performers that could match up well to The Black Keys, The High Commissioners send us twirling for some kind of modern day Beatles. We’ve got our shakers, a tambourine and the infamous Cajon tangled up in the melodies of a mandolin. This act has kept their loyalty to the 70s; I feel like I’m jamming on the Brighton pier with John Lennon.

So sometimes walking into a packed space can take you on a journey to a whole different city… Sofar Sounds, not quite couch surfing, but in this weather, I’d leave my office for it.