Gig review: Sofy at The Bodega

Support act The First Time delivered a performance that was both charismatic and captivating. Early in the set, they introduced a song about fast fashion, blending sharp social commentary with punchy instrumentals. Crowd participation played a big role throughout, with the audience enthusiastically responding to the band’s request for the answer of “say yes enthusiastically” when asked if they would like to get involved.

The band’s stage presence was undeniably dynamic and unpredictable. By the third song, they had the entire crowd down on their knees before launching into a massive, high-energy chorus. During the fourth track, which they described as “a slower one,” the vocalist stood completely still, staring out at the audience in an almost hypnotic moment - before the song exploded into a powerhouse of guitars in its second half.

Next came what they called their version of a pop song, Wind Up Merchant - which, despite the label, was still filled with their signature rock intensity. Between some issues with the microphone stand and a guitar being accidentally dropped, the vocalist carried on seamlessly, never letting any technical mishaps disrupt their flow.

One particularly memorable moment was the opening lyric of one song: “I want to sleep with a celebrity.” Before playing it, they joked that they were about to tell us something profound - setting up a contrast between expectation and their playfully irreverent style.

The night reached its peak when the band jumped into the crowd, saying “Who am I going to serenade?” It’s safe to say they serenaded the whole crowd, who won’t forget their set for a while. 

Then, Sofy made an entrance to Party Rock Anthem, immediately setting the tone for a fun, high-energy set. Her band, dressed in matching Adidas hoodies and shorts, stood out as a tight-knit unit, while Sofy rocked her signature football shirt and long denim shorts - an effortlessly cool presence on stage. Behind them, signs featuring the logo of her new album added to the aesthetic.

Right from the second song, the crowd was already jumping, feeding off her infectious energy. Even when her mic cut out and had to be swapped, she took it in stride, joking, “Make some noise for technical issues!” She even quipped that they were the original support act, but “they couldn’t make it.”

The setlist featured plenty from her new mixtape, including Front Seat Honey, Desktop, and Mine. There was a bit of an easy life (or hard life, as they are now known) influence in some of her songs - a natural connection given that both she and the band hail from Leicester. One of the standout moments of the night was btw, an acoustic track that had the crowd singing every word. It was a clear fan- favourite, allowing Sofy’s vocals to shine. She dedicated the song to James, a band member who had just had a baby and couldn’t join this tour.

Then, it was time for a game: Sofy’s Casino. Having released more songs than she could fit into the set, she brought out a spinning wheel with different song choices. After landing on “Spin Again” three times in a row, she jokingly questioned if it was rigged. Eventually, the wheel landed on Fiesta, sending the crowd into another round of dancing and singing.

Other highlights of the set included Wet Paint, featuring a killer saxophone section, and Hush, a more pop-punk-leaning track about living in denial. She followed that up with Pirates, a song about friendship and having an anchor in life - for Sofy, that anchor is her band. Then, for the encore, she pulled out Strawberry Milkshake and togethertogether, ending the night with a euphoric burst of energy. The entire crowd was jumping, fully locked into the moment.

Between the charismatic and theatrical energy of The First Time and Sofy’s charming, crowd-pleasing performance, it’s safe to say that both acts left an impression on a sold-out Bodega that won’t fade anytime soon.

Sofy performed at The Bodega on 1st April 2025.

@sofysounds