The Sofar Valentine’s Gig That Happened in a Gym

To most people, spending Valentine’s Day at the gym is far from the most romantic of occasions. On Saturday, Sofar Sounds sought to prove that belief wrong.

Written by Lois Ball

Photography by StrongHer

Taking over ‘StrongHer Space’, a women’s-only strength training gym in Bethnal Green, Sofar Sounds hosted a mystery curation of musicians, focusing the lens on the best of London’s LGBTQ+ indie scene.

This event featured as part of Sofar Sounds’ Valentine's programming; a city-wide affair packed with Singles Events, Galentine’s celebrations, unconventional venues, and great music. Throughout the week, Sofar held shows everywhere from historic hospitals to canal barges. When it comes to Sofar shows, no venue is off the cards.

For their LGBTQ+ curation, Sofar’s venue of choice was StrongHer Space. Tucked inside Bethnal Green’s railway arches, StrongHer Space is a specialist strength training gym whose mission is to give women a safe space to regain power surrounding exercise. It wasn’t the first time the gym had been transformed into a music venue, with Sofar Sounds having hosted gigs here before.

In true Sofar Sounds fashion, this Valentine’s event was refreshingly relaxed. Unlike so many concerts nowadays, there were no over-crowded pits or extortionate queues to the bar, just bean bags and yoga mats scattered around the space and a reception-desk-turned-makeshift-bar tended by the StrongHer team.

One of Sofar Sounds’ key focuses is on community, so throughout the night, mixing with fellow gig-goers was heavily encouraged. The event had multiple breaks, where the event’s charismatic host, Cassianne Lawrence, led games and icebreakers. One task given to all attendees was to compliment a stranger. These interludes created a buzz of conversations and new connections, transforming the evening into one big meet-cute.

Another thing that draws people to Sofar shows is their mission to fully appreciate live music. On Saturday, the crowd was reminded to give the artists their full attention throughout, pausing conversations and texts until the music was finished. Now, to many gig-goers this may sound like standard practice, but in a landscape where gig etiquette is getting looser and disruptive crowds are more common, this was a refreshing change!

As for the mystery LGBTQ+ lineup, listeners were in for a treat. Three acts took to the stage: R&B singer-songwriter Thea Hallow, Latin-infused indie artist Raquel Martins, and alt hip-hop musician Cassianne Lawrence (yes, the same Cassianne Lawrence who was the evening's host!). This varied lineup made for a fantastic night of music, with listeners getting to experience three different corners of London’s LGBTQ+ indie scene.

Thea Hallow, who featured on BBC’s sapphic reality show ‘I Kissed a Girl’, took to the stage first. Her bubbly energy lit up the space, easing listeners into the evening. Playing a mixture of soulful originals and covers, Hallow shared stories of heartbreak and modern-day romance. In between songs, Hallow shared personal anecdotes with the audience, reinforcing the close-knit quality that so many Sofar Sounds shows have. Her track ‘Coconut Water’ was a highlight, with the audience joining forces to sing along to its catchy chorus.

Raquel Martins followed, slowing the tempo. Playing with just an acoustic guitar, this intimate set offered stripped-back renditions of her original songs. Having recently released her debut album ‘LONDON, WHEN ARE U GONNA FEEL LIKE HOME?’, songs from this release took up most of the setlist. The album reflects on feeling alienated after moving away from home. Melancholic tracks like ‘I WANNA LIVE NEXT TO THE SEA’ slowed the tempo of the night, offering moments of contemplation to the audience.

After a last-minute cancellation by the final artist, the event's host, Cassianne Lawrence, filled the slot. Delivering a killer set of alt hip-hop originals, it was hard to believe this was a last-minute arrangement. An impromptu set meant an impromptu setlist, with Lawrence letting the crowd pick which of her songs they wanted her to play. Her stellar stage presence captivated the audience, with feel-good tracks such as ‘Delulu Til Its True True’ getting the audience onto their feet. She also encouraged call-and-response during a few of her tracks, ending the night with the audience all dancing and singing along together.

All in all, the night was not only a celebration of queer music but also a celebration of the power of love and community. It’s refreshing to know that, in a world where it seems community is becoming a more distant concept, it can always be found through live music. Everyone left the concert with smiles on their faces - exchanging words with partners, friends, and newfound connections. So, it seems, with the help of Sofar Sounds, maybe the gym is the perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day after all?