Harare, Zimbabwe – Sofar Sounds Harare continued its mission to redefine the live music experience with its 18th edition, held on Saturday, March 29th, at the picturesque Tudor Valley Guest House in Hogerty Hill, Borrowdale. From 3 pm to 6 pm, a diverse crowd of music enthusiasts gathered amidst the lush greenery of tall msasa trees on the northern fringes of Harare for an afternoon of surprise performances and intimate connections.
Staying true to its signature format, Sofar Sounds Harare kept the artist lineup a secret until the moment they took the stage. The audience was treated to a captivating array of talent, including the powerful spoken word artistry of spoken word poet and writer Muvheneki, the multifaceted musical stylings of writer and filmmaker Tomas Lutuli Brickhill, and the compelling contemporary art and music of Nasibo, who shared the stage with her sister Simangaliso Mutize. Adding to the rich tapestry of sounds was the award-winning environmental and health musician Dereck Mpofu, whose performance resonated deeply with the attentive audience.
The event drew a vibrant mix of attendees from various backgrounds and professions, highlighting Sofar Sounds’ ability to bridge diverse communities through music. Notably, the event welcomed members of the diplomatic community, with representatives from the German and Spanish embassies, as well as officials from the European Union, in attendance.
Katrin Simon, the Head of Culture at the German Embassy, expressed her delight with the experience, stating, “The location was perfect, surrounded by nature, just as I had hoped. I also enjoyed the diverse crowd, which was a great mix of young and old, expatriates and locals.”
This successful edition follows a February show at Kwakrys in Philadelphia, Borrowdale, which featured the talents of Sylent Nqo, Nicholar Mutuwa, and Exodus Chauke. Since its inception in Harare in 2022, Sofar Sounds has carved a unique niche in the city’s music scene by offering exclusive and unpredictable live music adventures in non-traditional spaces.
The platform’s invite-only approach, coupled with its diverse lineup of surprise artists and secretive venue locations, has garnered significant admiration from both audiences and performers. Muvheneki, reflecting on his experience, shared, “From the moment Sofar Sounds arrived in Zimbabwe, I knew I wanted to be part of it. The platform has been a launchpad for some of the world’s most remarkable artists, Leon Bridges, Hozier, and Ed Sheeran among them. To now stand on that very stage, adding my own voice to this extraordinary lineage, felt like a milestone in my journey as an artist. My deepest gratitude to the Sofar Sounds team for making this possible. To share my craft in such a setting was, quite simply, a dream come true.”
On the same day as the Harare event, Sofar Sounds brought its unique musical experience to audiences in numerous other cities across the globe, including Patna (India), Gran Canaria, Madrid (Spain), Bamberg, Berlin (Germany), Paris, Toulouse (France), Lagos (Nigeria), Madeira (Portugal), and Kelowna in Canada.
Attendance at Sofar Sounds shows is by invitation, with interested guests applying for tickets through the official website, www.sofarsounds.com. Currently, attendance in Harare is by donation, making these intimate experiences accessible to a wider audience.
The driving force behind Sofar Sounds Harare is the city curator, multi-platform creative Khumbulani Muleya. Muleya extended an open invitation for collaborations and partnerships, emphasizing Sofar’s unique ability to unite music enthusiasts and foster meaningful connections. “By combining music discovery with exploration of the city’s hidden locations, we offer a one-of-a-kind platform for networking and community-building,” he stated.
Looking back on Sofar’s four-year journey in Harare, Muleya remarked, “It’s been an incredible ride, showcasing Harare’s beauty and introducing audiences to surprising new talent.”
Sofar Sounds Harare has provided a stage for a wide array of talented local artists and bands, including Mary Anibal, Kyla Blac, Trust Samende, Josh Meck, Kim Makumbe, Masa Caroleen, Mann Friday, Matt Greenwood, and Tendex, even featuring students from Prince Edward High School.
Beyond music, Sofar Harare has also collaborated with prominent fashion brands like Pezzeculiar by Valentina Sardella and the Fashion Council of Zimbabwe, led by Joyce Chimanye, using music as a platform to highlight the importance of sustainability in fashion.
The platform’s commitment to unique experiences extends to its choice of venues, which have included embassy residences, cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, First Floor Gallery, and Alliance Francaise de Harare, as well as scenic locations like Chapungu Sculpture Park, restaurants, and intimate back gardens.
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