Peek Inside Sofar, St. Louis' Invite-Only Living Room Show

By Riverfront Times Staff on Mon, Oct 26, 2015 at 4:17 pm

Sofar shows have been popping up in cities across the globe, and they aren't just your typical concerts. For starters, the artists on the bill are kept secret until the day of the show, and not everyone who wants a ticket will get one (though each invited guest does get a plus one). Further, the price of admission is "pay what you want." October's Sofar St. Louis event took place in a Wash. U. student's apartment, and photographer Robert Rohe was there for a glimpse.

Sofar shows have been popping up in cities across the globe, and they aren't just your typical concerts. For starters, the artists on the bill are kept secret until the day of the show, and not everyone who wants a ticket will get one (though each invited guest does get a plus one). Further, the price of admission is "pay what you want." October's Sofar St. Louis event took place in a Wash. U. student's apartment, and photographer Robert Rohe was there for a glimpse.

Oct. 26, 2015

Photos by Robert Rohe rrohe.com

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A seasonal welcome to Sofar St. Louis...for those lucky enough to score an invite.

A seasonal welcome to Sofar St. Louis...for those lucky enough to score an invite.

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Charlotte Gordon, a Washington University senior, hosted the show at her apartment.

Charlotte Gordon, a Washington University senior, hosted the show at her apartment.

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Volunteers await attendees at the check-in desk.

Volunteers await attendees at the check-in desk.

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At left, Myranda checks in the night's first arrival.

At left, Myranda checks in the night's first arrival.

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Gary McClure and Ian Reitz of American Wrestlers get ready for their set.

Gary McClure and Ian Reitz of American Wrestlers get ready for their set.

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More musicians arrive.

More musicians arrive.

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Attendees take their seats.

Attendees take their seats.

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Guests didn't find out about the lineup until this was projected across the ceiling.

Guests didn't find out about the lineup until this was projected across the ceiling.

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American Wrestlers, chilling in the kitchen.

American Wrestlers, chilling in the kitchen.

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A few words of introduction about Sofar Sounds, then onto American Wrestlers.

A few words of introduction about Sofar Sounds, then onto American Wrestlers.

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The crowd for American Wrestlers.

The crowd for American Wrestlers.

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Bridget Imperial-McClure of American Wrestlers played keyboard and guitar.

Bridget Imperial-McClure of American Wrestlers played keyboard and guitar.

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American Wrestlers played a more subdued set to accommodate the smaller space.

American Wrestlers played a more subdued set to accommodate the smaller space.

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But that doesn't mean it wasn't intense.

But that doesn't mean it wasn't intense.

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The River Kittens.

The River Kittens.

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The River Kittens -- known for their insightful yet oftentimes humorous songs -- played second.

The River Kittens -- known for their insightful yet oftentimes humorous songs -- played second.

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Jon Michael Ryan of Tangent Mind records the River Kittens.
A video is made at every SoFar show. Jon set up two cameras and ran this handheld for closeup shots. He also setup a microphone to record the audio.

Jon Michael Ryan of Tangent Mind records the River Kittens. A video is made at every SoFar show. Jon set up two cameras and ran this handheld for closeup shots. He also setup a microphone to record the audio.

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Even playing completely acoustically, the River Kittens filled the room with sound.

Even playing completely acoustically, the River Kittens filled the room with sound.

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The audience and the River Kittens.

The audience and the River Kittens.

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Up third: Lizzie Weber.

Up third: Lizzie Weber.

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