Sofar Sounds Hosted an Intimate Acoustic Set 40 Floors High Above NYC
- STREET GRRRLS
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
Photos & Review By: Stephanie Axelrod
Sofar Music brought a breathtaking acoustic experience to the 40th floor of the Virgin Hotel Sky Lounge in New York City, featuring standout performances from AJ Mitchell, Olivia Reid, and Laura Elliott.
The night opened with New York-based artist Laura Elliott, who performed a selection of songs from her discography, including “Need” off her EP Car Sick, released just over a year ago. Stripping it down to just her voice and guitar, Elliott delivered a raw, delicate rendition that let her soft, sweet sound fill the room. It’s not the first time she’s moved an audience to tears—listeners might also recognize her voice from Lizzy McAlpine’s Five Seconds Flat on the track “Weird,” where she and McAlpine navigate memory and dreams with the same gentle emotional touch.
Following Elliott was Olivia Reid, joined by saxophonist Will Brown. She performed tracks like “Runner’s High” from her latest EP, To Be Named By The People. Known for its vibrant energy on the record, the acoustic version gave new depth to the lyrics, letting her voice shine in a more vulnerable light. The track, which has been featured on Spotify’s Folk Arc playlist alongside artists like Faye Webster and Phoebe Bridgers, took on a beautiful new life in this setting. Reid’s gentle, clear tone carried through each song with grace, especially on “Nightmare Machine”—a haunting, ethereal ballad reminiscent of Kacey Musgraves or early Noah Cyrus.
Closing the evening was AJ Mitchell, whose voice echoed across the lounge and set the tone with “One On One” from his brand-new album As Far As The Eye Can See, released just last month. He dedicated the song to his partner, capturing a moment of clarity and love through his heartfelt delivery. Mitchell followed it up with the emotional track “Me,” performed on a borrowed guitar (Thank you, Olivia), where his wide vocal range truly stood out. Seamlessly transitioning from soft falsettos to bold, resonant notes, he showcased both vulnerability and power, effortlessly holding the crowd in the palm of his hand.
With the New York skyline glittering behind them, each artist transformed the space into something intimate and unforgettable. This Sofar set was a quiet reminder of the magic that happens when music meets meaning—40 floors above the city that never sleeps.
