Inventive and immersive, Sofar secret pop-up concerts sing a new tune
Like someone whistling a tune, there’s a whisper going around town that invites us to lean in and listen—and find a little revelation in the rhythm.
If you haven’t yet heard, Greenville recently became one of the newest Southern cities to host secret pop-up concerts from Sofar Sounds, a growing movement of intimate performances that rewrites the sheet music rules. Featuring local and touring talent, these pop-up shows appear in curated and often unexpected venues, where the precise location isn’t released until 36 hours before the event. Tickets are limited, and the stage melts into the audience seating, blurring the edges of traditional concert experiences.
“Sofar Greenville is an incredible passion project because it addresses a simple human need: the desire to truly connect,” reveals Cassie Scott, local producer for the Upstate. “In a world filled with background noise and distractions, we are curating intentional spaces where complete strangers can drop their guard and share an incredible, intimate musical moment.”
Sofar Sounds (which is short for “Sounds From a Room”) began in 2009, when founder Rafe Offer invited some friends over to a London flat for a low-key, intimate gig. Eight people gathered in the living room, shared a drink, and sat on the floor, attentively listening to the music. An antidote to the impersonal, the movement tapped into something music fans were missing—and grew from a “pass the hat” situation fueled by donations to a global community in 400 cities worldwide, from Turkey to Peru to Australia.
Sofar Greenville Origin Story
In 2023, Scott brought Sofar to the Upstate area, where he partners with beloved local artist Darby Wilcox to coordinate programming for small stages across the city and at familiar venues like the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and Fall for Greenville festival.
“Sofar is a unique experience,” says Wilcox. “You go for the love of music, for the love of a real human experience. This series allows space to be still and tune all the way in. For 20 minutes at a time, you’re invited to be fully present—not scrolling on your phone or chatting with your neighbor. This is an oasis for not just your ears, but for your spirit. You’re surrounded by authenticity.”
While Sofar shows discover emerging talent and welcome artists from all over, a handful of notable performers you might recognize are: Darby Wilcox; Elizabeth McCorvey from Western North Carolina; Hurt & Skip, a local hill country blues band; and Taylor Corum, a rising star who kicked off his musical journey in Greenville through a Sofar performance.
“The core of Sofar is the opportunity to come together, to create a space where the artists feel valued and the attendees leave having made genuine connections,” Scott says. “It’s not just about hearing great music; it’s about reminding ourselves how powerful it is to be fully present with one another.”
Related: The Sidwalk Sounds of Greenville Street Musicians
Sofar Innovation Inspiration
“When I think of innovation that is inspiring to me I think about how important the symbiotic relationship of audience to artist is. I think about the impact of “showing up” and how that creates change . . . I think about people like naturalist/scientist Jeanne Villepreux-Power who, in the early 1800s, took a chance and invented the aquarium so she could observe the paper nautilus more closely, which changed our ability to be close to animals we wouldn’t have before.”
—Darby Wilcox, Greenville-based singer-songwriter
“I want to acknowledge Christian and Allison Wolters as local innovators and entrepreneurs who unknowingly inspired my decision to start Sofar Greenville. They own The Red Horse Inn in Landrum, a venue so stunning it has been spotlighted as one of the very best within the global Sofar Sounds community.” —Cassie Scott, Upstate producer for Sofar
Find more of Wilcox’s inspirations, including Carl Jung, at towncarolina.com.
Unexpected Show Locations
- Westminster Abbey in London
- Deep inside a cave in Tennessee
- Off-the-grid in the Scottish Highlands
To learn more, visit sofarsounds.com or follow @sofargreenville on Instagram.
