Minutes before the Sofar Sounds showcase officially begins, the rooftop at the Moxy Hotel hums with a kind of anticipatory energy. It’s less like a traditional concert venue and more like a house party where everyone knows they’re about to experience something special. People lean against railings, catch up with friends, sip drinks, and exchange excited glances as sound crews finish their final checks. The view of the Boston skyline spreads in every direction, city lights sparkling like jewels while coloured lights spill across drums, guitars, and a crowd as diverse as the city glowing around it. The music hasn’t started yet, but the night has already found its rhythm.
Sofar Sounds has built its reputation on moments exactly like this. Supported by operations managers like Anna Sebourn, who plays a pivotal role in bringing these experiences to life in Boston, Sofar has grown a small living-room concert series into a global platform. Founded with the intention of restoring the magic of live music, Sofar prioritizes intimacy, attentiveness, and genuine connection between artists and audiences. From California to Texas to Boston, the program has consistently uplifted both emerging and established artists, reinforcing the idea that intimate, attentive audiences can leave an impact just as powerful as larger crowds.
Soon after, the MC for the evening Tommy Le takes the microphone to warm up the crowd before introducing the night’s first artist: Nahli.
Nahli: Setting the Tone
As soon as Nahli steps onto the stage, the crowd erupts – friends, fans, and supporters making their presence known. A Brockton, Massachusetts native, Nahli (born Sonally Jean) has steadily built her name within the Boston music scene, blending R&B and soul with raw emotion and undeniable vocal presence. She commands the room effortlessly, her energy soft yet assured.
Before launching into her first song, she requests if the lights can be turned down, instantly deepening the intimacy of the space. Her opening performance, “Moments,” sets the tone for the evening: smooth, velvety, and deeply emotional. The song unfolds as a reflection on vulnerability and resilience, tracing periods of anxiety, self-doubt, and the quiet exhaustion that comes with simply trying to hold it altogether. Nahli acknowledges the moments where giving up feels close, yet she grounds the song in perseverance, choosing to keep going and value what’s in front of her. From intimate requests for presence in love to reflections on personal growth and acceptance, her performance pulls listeners into a deeply human world with every note. Nahli’s silky, raspy vocals, balancing tenderness and strength, accompanied by instrumentalist Miguel Diaz’s guitar, create one of those rare live moments that sends goosebumps up your arms simply by being embraced by her presence.
One of the most memorable aspects of Nahli’s set is how she invites the audience directly into the music, transforming listeners into collaborators through call-and-response. During “SWM (Around),” a song rooted in presence, comfort, and steadfast companionship, she sings, “Will you stay with me?” The crowd answers in unison, “I like when you’re around,” creating a moment that feels both spontaneous and deeply personal. As the set comes to a close, she echoes that same spirit of connection with one final exchange – “When I say ‘nah,’ you say ‘li.’” She laughs, adding, “you better remember me,” as the room erupts in cheers. While her recorded music highlights her immense talent, seeing Nahli live reveals another layer entirely – her voice, aura, and bond with the audience elevate her songs into something unforgettable.
Karim: A Journey Through Sound
Following Nahli’s set, the energy shifts as Karim takes the stage. A Roxbury native and self-taught multidisciplinary artist, Karim brings a powerful blend of sensitivity and technical mastery to his performances. Influenced by R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, folk, and classical music, his sound feels expansive, rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving.
From the moment he begins singing, it’s clear that Karim’s voice is his instrument in the truest sense. His control is astonishing, effortlessly reaching soaring high notes while maintaining emotional depth. A standout moment comes during his performance of “Daydream,” where the delicate harmonizing backing vocals and gentle piano creates a lush, immersive soundscape, weaving together into a hazy, ethereal reverie shaped by neo-soul and jazz-infused melodies. Each song feels like a journey into his inner world, and when he sings, “Don’t know where I’m going at all, can you hear my call? Does anybody feel me? I could use some healing,” the vulnerability in his voice feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. As the music swirls around him, the honest delivery of his voice draws the audience into a shared space of uncertainty and longing, leaving the room suspended between fragility and strength – a reminder that even in doubt, music has the power to heal.
Accompanied by backing vocals from healer, singer, and dancer Ashanti Eva Davenport and Monks Temple Records, the synergy onstage is undeniable. Their harmonies intertwine seamlessly, building moments of intensity before gently pulling back creating a dynamic flow that captivates from start to finish. During the final performance, Karim invites the audience to harmonize with him, combining their voices into the music and transforming the space into a living, breathing soundscape. The resulting acapella feels almost otherworldly. Stripped of instrumentation, the rawness of the vocals fills the space, leaving the crowd suspended in awe. The balance between power and restraint, between intensity and calm, is nothing short of breathtaking.
Glasshouse: Closing with Energy and Love
Closing the night is Glasshouse, who bring a surge of energy that transforms the rooftop. The Lawrence-based trio – Gerald Liri (Liri), Jahmo Elijah Chavez (Elijae), and Luis Luna (Luna) – describe their sound as classical hip hop, not as a fixed genre, but as a culture and way of life. The group embraces a genre-fluid approach that pulls from multiple sounds and scenes, favouring experimentation over structure. The trio’s production leans toward unconventional rhythms and layered textures that resists rigid classification, meant to challenge the listener.
When Glasshouse takes the stage, one of the most infectious moments comes as the crowd erupts into a chant of bold refrain as the trio sings: “I don’t need love, I’m a star, go away.” Hands wave in rhythm to the beat, bodies lean and sway, and fans sing every word with deliberate energy, fully immersed in the moment. The line, brimming with defiance and self-assuredness, becomes a joyful rallying cry for everyone on the rooftop. The trio’s vibrant performance, layered with rhythmic diversity and expressive vocal moments, amplifies the celebratory atmosphere, turning the rooftop into a collective moment of unrestrained joy. The trio’s ability to create moments that feel unexpected with their sound ensures each performance is as surprising and refreshing as the last.
Vocally and musically, Glasshouse thrives on the complementary strengths of its three members. Liri’s confident dynamic verses drive the group’s hip-hop energy, while Elijae’s smooth, melodic lines create a natural harmony that not only balances Liri’s delivery but also adds a lyrical richness rooted in his vocal training. Luna, the group’s producer and beat architect, anchors their sound with compelling rhythms and layered sonic textures that keep every track moving – whether it’s a punchy verse, or a hypnotic hook. On this night, they are accompanied by Mt. Holly and drummer Victor Hidalgo, whose instrumental contributions enhanced every track, providing depth, precision and momentum. The trio and band’s obvious friendship and camaraderie shines through in every interaction, and their combined talents create an interconnected, immersive performance where vocals and instrumentation intertwine so seamlessly.
At the supposed end of their set, the crowd begs for an encore, and Glasshouse doesn’t hesitate to give the people what they want. They launch right into their latest single, “PRTTYGURLSWAANATAST,” and the crowd goes wild. Fans sing every word with gusto, hands waving in rhythm and heads bobbing to the beat. The trio’s performance, grounded in hip-hop and driven by rhythmic precision and lyrical swagger, pushes the night’s energy into a new peak. The performance has everyone dancing, singing along and feeding off the trio’s infectious energy. The crowd’s enthusiasm builds with every beat, creating a shared sense of exhilaration that lingers long after the final note. Glasshouse closes their set not just with a song, but with a moment that perfectly captures the spirit of the night – electric, engaging, and full of life.
A Night That Lingers
By the time the final notes fade, it’s clear that this Sofar Sounds showcase was more than just a concert – it was a shared experience and a testament to the talent thriving right here in Massachusetts. Against the backdrop of the Boston skyline, the night highlighted not only the artistry of Nahli, Karim, and Glasshouse, but the neighborhoods that shaped them – Brockton, Roxbury and Lawrence. These are spaces that don’t always receive the attention they deserve, yet they continue to nurture voices, rhythms, talents and stories that resonate far beyond city limits.
While these artists are still emerging, their performances remind us why it matters to pay attention, show up and support local creatives. Each song becomes a bridge between communities, inviting listeners into worlds often overlooked yet rich with cultural vibrancy and innovation. Events like this cultivate visibility for artists from underrepresented neighborhoods, celebrate diversity not just as a buzzword but as a living, audible, and visible force that remind us that the next wave of talent may already be performing somewhere yet to be discovered. They challenge the notion that brilliance is confined to major cultural hubs, revealing that artistry thrives wherever community, talent, and support allow it to flourish. By the end of the night, something rare and electric remains – voices from Brockton, Roxbury, and Lawrence echoing across the city and an energy between artist and audience long after the final chord fades.
Sofar Sounds doesn’t just stage concerts – it creates environments where artists are seen, heard and celebrated and where audiences leave reminded that supporting local talent is an act of cultural preservation, appreciation, and wonder.