It was the last night of what has felt like the longest month ever, as we congregated in the cozy upstairs loft of the Monnik Beer Company in Schnitzelburg, a small burb in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky. Rows of chairs lined the back of the space with blankets strewn across the front, butting up to an elevated stage serving as the pulpit for the evening’s crop of performers. We only learned of this space yesterday, a secret location revealed via email 36 hours before showtime, part of the allure of a Sofar Sounds experience.

For those who have never attended a Sofar show, it is definitely something to try. Boasting locations around the globe, one would be hard pressed not to find one within an easy drive or train stop. On this night, my daughters and I walked the three short blocks from home.

The Sofar website describes the experience as this: “Sofar transforms everyday spaces – like a rooftop or art gallery – and turns them into captivating, intimate venues for secret, live music performances, creating an immersive experience that brings guests and artists closer together. Each Sofar is small, and typically features three diverse acts, with no headliner.” I would add that the cost to attend, a modest $20, is a welcome addition in today’s ever-increasing cost of live music events, making Sofar shows accessible to most everyone.

We were greeted by the friendly, local Sofar Louisville crew of Sydney, Carter, and Jayme who were responsible for the evening. Seating was open and the atmosphere lent itself to conversations with other attendees, new acquaintances, making up the diverse audience tentative but equally excited about what to expect over the course of the evening.

Carter served as our MC promising all a fantastic evening of music and challenging us to spend a few minutes introducing ourselves to a neighbor. Following the brief “ice breaker,” the lights dimmed and the first artist, Sam Mooney, singer/songwriter from Nashville, took the small stage with his guitar and broad smile. “I grew up in Mississippi, before moving to Nashville” Mooney shared, quickly following with the fact that both his parents are Ironman Triathletes, a fun tidbit likely contributing to the confidence and tenacity he exudes on stage.

For the next 25 minutes, Mooney shared story and song, both on guitar and keyboard, his smooth voice and melodic accompaniment drawing smiles from the attentive growing fan base. Among his original solo songs, Mooney also sang the single, “Always Be Around” from band and album, The Highland Rim, a collaboration with his wife, newly released at the end of 2024. A short break followed allowing the crowd to mingle and visit the merch table before for the next performer.

This time up, singer/songwriter Layna, also from Nashville, chose to move from the stage to the floor to be closer to the collection of 60 or so in attendance at the sold out show. Layna’s style blended soul, blues, and pop into a smooth, self-described, style of Queer Soul highlighted by her absolutely stunning voice and confident guitar playing. Hailing originally from Canton, Ohio, Layna found herself in Nashville writing and performing songs while pursuing an advanced degree in Music Business. You’ll find Layna’s music, including her most recent single, “I Won’t Apologize,” on all major streaming platforms.

Last on the evening’s bill, a shift in musical direction as Rapper V8 Vast Change roused the mellowed crowd with his poignant messages and active presence. Accompanied only by background music streamed from his phone V8VC quickly endeared the crowd with his straight scoop, sharing experiences of growing up in Bloomington, IL and raising a young family with his wife who joined him on his last song of the evening leaving those in attendance with sense of energy as the event wrapped up. Like the artists before him, you can find V8 Vast Change’s music online.

For those who enjoy discovering new music, the thrill of live performance, and the intimacy of a small crowd, Sofar performances are a must try. Upcoming events can likely be found in a city near you, with the promise of an interesting evening of discovery at a reasonable price. Have you experienced a Sofar show? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.