SOFASESSIONS

DESIFEST Sofa Sessions is an intimate performance series that strips away the big stage production and places South Asian artists front and centre in a raw, unfiltered setting. Each episode features a single artist or ensemble performing live from a simple sofa setup, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a living-room jam than a broadcast. The format is deliberately lo-fi: no pyrotechnics, no elaborate lighting rigs — just pure musical talent, honest conversation, and the kind of creative energy that only surfaces when artists feel genuinely at ease.

The series was born in 2020, during the early months of the global pandemic, when concert venues shuttered overnight and South Asian musicians lost virtually every avenue to perform live. DESIFEST recognised that the community still craved connection through music, so the team launched Sofa Sessions as a digital stage — a place where artists could share their craft and audiences could tune in from anywhere in the world. What started as a scrappy, living-room experiment quickly grew into one of the most beloved fixtures of the DESIFEST calendar. Over the course of multiple seasons, the series has welcomed a diverse roster of vocalists, instrumentalists, producers, and multi-disciplinary performers, each bringing a unique perspective on South Asian artistry.

Every episode follows a signature rhythm: the artist opens with a short acoustic or semi-plugged set, followed by an in-depth conversation that dives into their creative process, cultural influences, and personal journey. Viewers get to hear not just the polished final product but the stories behind the songs — how a classical raga might weave its way into a contemporary R&B track, or how growing up between two cultures shaped a songwriter's voice. It is this blend of performance and storytelling that makes Sofa Sessions more than a concert stream; it is a window into the lived experience of South Asian creatives navigating the global music landscape.

Over multiple seasons, Sofa Sessions has built an archive of performances spanning a wide range of genres and artistic disciplines. From stripped-back acoustic sets and classical vocal showcases to beat-driven electronic explorations and soulful R&B performances, each episode captures a unique moment in an artist's creative journey. The full catalogue lives on the DESIFEST YouTube channel, where every session is available to watch on demand — scroll through the playlist above to explore the complete collection.

What makes each session memorable is not just the music but the conversation that surrounds it. Artists open up about their influences, the challenges of building a career in the arts, and the cultural threads that connect their work back to South Asian traditions. These candid, unscripted moments give viewers a deeper understanding of the creative process and transform a simple performance into a genuine connection between artist and audience. Whether you are discovering a new favourite or revisiting a session you have already seen, the archive offers something fresh with every watch.

Sofa Sessions is always looking for fresh voices and new talent to feature. Whether you are a solo vocalist, a multi-instrumentalist, a producer crafting beats in your bedroom, or a full band ready to unplug and strip things back, we want to hear from you. The series is open to South Asian artists of every genre and experience level — from emerging creators releasing their debut singles to established performers exploring a more intimate format.

To be considered for a future episode, reach out through the contact form below with a brief introduction, links to your music or social channels, and a short note on why Sofa Sessions feels like the right fit for your artistry. Our programming team reviews every submission carefully. Selected artists will be invited to a pre-production call to plan the session, choose the setlist, and discuss conversation topics so everything feels natural on the day of filming.

Beyond performing, there are many ways to support the series. Fans can subscribe to the DESIFEST YouTube channel to catch every new episode as it drops, share their favourite sessions across social media, and join the live chat during premiere events. If you are a brand, venue, or organisation interested in sponsoring a season or collaborating on a special edition episode, the contact form below is the best way to start that conversation. Together, we can continue to amplify South Asian voices and build a global stage for the next generation of artists.