My First Sofar MNL Experience.
But anyway, I promised myself to write about this so here goes. This is about my experience attending my first Sofar Manila gig last October 22.
First, Sofar stands for "Songs From A Room"; it started with a bunch of friends attending a concert. They noticed that a lot of people from the audience didn't seem to pay attention to the performing band and was busy doing other stuff. They decided to organize a private and intimate gig where everyone could appreciate the artists more. Thus, Sofar came to be. Well, that's what I got from Ellie's introduction. haha
So this gig is an invite only event wherein you sign up to be in the guest list and the organizers decide if you get in or not. I was really excited the day when I got the e-mail saying I was included in the guest list! I even confirmed it within a span of 2 minutes. haha The boyfriend got in as well so it was even better. :)
Fast forward to the day itself, me and bf got in the venue waaay too early that the organizers and the Potato Corner booth were just about to set up. (but honestly, we were after the Potato Corner booth talaga. hahaha) We waited for a while, took pictures, and talked about our guesses and hopes for who would perform for this gig. Then one of the organizers told us we could wait in the lounge area upstairs.
The venue was at Warehouse Eight, a very nifty co-working space that's very cozy. They had a lot of quotes and art on the wall so I had a good time reading every one of them and looking at them.
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| one quote I really liked (probs coz of the placement) |
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| chill set-up (with kuya's head behind the sofa) |
The set up is really chill and cozy as well, with a couch on stage and rugs for the audience to sit. I got excited as the venue was set up and more and more people were coming in. I saw familiar faces, mostly from Batang Lansangan and from the gig-goers we see at Route 196. We decided to get some fries together before the performances started. They didn't announce the bands beforehand so it's really a surprise to everyone. Ellie said that it was also their third year doing Sofar gigs, and then announced the first band.
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| Rusty Machines were the first to perform! |
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| Enrique de Dios' live looping was mesmerizing! |
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| Awesome "hugot" set by Mateo Escueta! |
After the performances, there was a guitar case laid out in the stage for anyone who would like to give appreciation to the organizers and performers. It wasn't required or anything though, any amount would be acceptable as long as it comes from your heart. haha Overall, the experience was really something memorable. It was a very unique and intimate gig and I would be looking forward for the next ones. :)
xx
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