WaterBear | The College of Music was buzzing with excitement as it played host to a sell-out Sofar Sounds live show on Wed June 19th. The exclusive event at WaterBear H.Q in Brighton featured a line-up of some of the UK's finest emerging artists including: Bledig, Bee & Jack Rabbit and Ebony Grace.

Sofar Sounds is the largest music promoter in the world and they host in excess of 500 gigs per month in more than 300 cities world-wide. Previous artists who have performed at Sofar shows include Hozier, Leon Bridges, Emeli Sandé, Wolf Alice, Bastille, and Lianne La Havas.

Sofar Sounds was started in London in March 2009 by Rafe Offer, Rocky Start, and Dave Alexander who were "annoyed by typically noisy and boisterous popular concert venues". As a consequence, they decided to put on their own gig in Alexander's North London flat and invited eight friends over to listen to him play music in his living room. For the second gig in London, more people showed up. Soon after, Sofar expanded to Paris, New York City, and other cities, arriving in Los Angeles in early 2011.

Typically, three artists perform at each Sofar gig with no opener and no headliner. Performers apply to be considered via a form on the Sofar website. Musicians of all genres as well as spoken word poets, comedians and even dancers may apply. Local Sofar Sounds lead ambassadors / bookers and their review committees and music scouts curate the evenings.

Make sure to check the artists who performed by following the links below:

Bledig
facebook.com/bledigmusic

Bledig cook up a stew of muscular prog hop/jazz grooves, dark piano tones, dirty synths and soaring vocals. Drawing influence from acts like Portishead, Esbjorn Svensson Trio and late Talk Talk, Bledig have stirred a mix of cinematic ambience and head-bopping attitude.

Bee & Jack Rabbit
facebook.com/beeandjackrabbit

"Their music and lyrics manage to conjure images and thoughts much grander than the sum of their parts, with the kind of introspective nobility that could serve as the soundtrack to your life flashing before your eyes during your final moments". - Jimmy Volts, XYZ magazine

Ebony Grace
facebook.com/ebonygraceebonygrace

Taking influence from the likes of Tori Amos and Kate Bush; this is alt-pop at its finest.