Live Review: Sofar Sounds and GAP "Summerloves" show

At this point in 2014, you wouldn't be publicly humiliated for saying that Sofar Sounds could well be the single most important and influential movement to happen to live music in recent times. Starting out in a small flat in London as a gig that only five people attended, the Sofar revolution steadily grew to the behemoth it is today; organising intimate living room gigs in over 85 countries, having artists play in cities from Rio to New York, London to Aarhus and Singapore to Cairo.

Having been interested in the project since I first stumbled across it, I've been itching at the chance to go and check out one of these shows for myself (Sofar Brighton is coming, I can feel it..) and was finally invited along to an uber top secret show in Hackney, London. So top secret was this show that the location wasn't announced until an hour before doors, and the acts were announced as they stepped up to the stage. Guerilla promoting, eat your heart out. After sinking a couple of pints in a pub round the corner from the venue, me and our cameraman Vas saddled up and made tracks.

Far from being in the familiar surroundings of somebodies living room, the show was held in a huge abandoned office space/ warehouse decorated with four poster beds, a car, tire swings and of course some comfy living room sofa's. This step up in setting is down to clothing brand GAP backing the Sofar team and putting on a small series of events as part of their #Summerloves campaign. Recognising the potential, GAP have helped Sofar take the next step in their journey, catering to larger crowds while still keeping the cosy and comfortable environment the gigs are known for. Pretty neat stuff.

With the bustling crowd seating themselves on the floor, on the bed, in the car and on anything else that could be sat on, first act Crushed Beak kicked off with their rowdy brand of noise pop. The duo instilled an infectious vitality into the room, and were rewarded with a great response from the gathering. Reminiscent of artists like Eagulls and JAWS, the guys have got an energetic live show down to a tee.

Following a brief interlude and the quite frankly life changing discovery of the free cupcake stall, we got settled for the next band, Teleman. Bearing in mind that they went to the stage knowing nobody knew they were going to be there, the four piece played like the room was full of close friends. After the gig I checked out their album and have to say they really deliver the goods live. Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of minimalist synth pop.

Another quick interlude and a trip to the Polaroid wall, we were ready for the headline act Tom Vek to wrap up the night. Described by his Facebook as “beat-rock” I couldn't really agree with a more fitting genre. Combining driving drums with an 80's synth vibe and a vocal style Chet Faker wouldn't turn his nose up at, Tom Vek is an artist you need to see on a real stage to understand.

All truths told, this was an awesome gig. A live music event that's about much more than the music, the true spirit of Sofar has been up-scaled perfectly with the help of GAP. Here's hoping this is a sign of some mind blowing spectacles coming to a city near you soon.

Photos by Vasil Dzhagalov

For more on Gap’s #Summerloves campaign, follow them on Twitter - @UKGap