I Hosted a Listening Party in Neukölln
Reflections on a new music format I've been developing
Last Sunday, I tried out a new format: the listening party. Well… it’s not entirely new—I had tested it at my apartment with a small group of friends for the release of Charli XCX’s BRAT—but this was the first time bringing it to a small venue.
The concept was simple: gather people together, much like for a film screening, but instead of watching, we would just listen. Aside from my introductions and remarks about the music, there would be no distractions, no conversations—just the shared experience of listening to an album, start to finish. The occasion? Commemorating SOPHIE’s posthumous album, released just a few days prior.
I won’t go into detail about the album per se—that’s for a future post. For now, I’d like to share some thoughts on the format of the listening party itself—a concept I’d like to tinker with further in the future.
The Setting
The event took place at Projektraum in Neukölln, a small DIY room in the backyard of an apartment building on Hermannstraße. It was the perfect setting for this gathering. My friend Caroline, an artist, not only helped secure the space but added her own special touch to the decor and lighting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Full credit for the ambiance goes to her!
Blindfolding
The goal was to create a space for both seasoned SOPHIE fans and newcomers to experience her work together. We gathered as a small community, and for most of the session, everyone was blindfolded to heighten the immersive experience.
The idea behind the blindfolds was simple—I didn’t want people distracted by others’ gazes. In a film screening, everyone’s attention is directed at the screen, but in music, there’s no such focal point. I didn’t want anyone observing others—I wanted the focus to be entirely on the music. So there were blindfolds.
This approach was inspired by a Vipassana meditation retreat I attended three years ago, where participants are cut off from external distractions—no talking, and especially: no eye contact. It made the experience deeply personal and introspective. I wanted to bring that same sense of solitude and reflection to this listening event.
How It Worked
The schedule was as follows:
8:00–8:30 pm – People arrived, grabbed drinks, and chatted
8:30–9:15 pm – First half of SOPHIE’s album (up until 7. “Why Lies”)
9:15–9:30 pm – BREAK
9:30–10:20 pm – Second half of SOPHIE’s album (from 8. “Do You Wanna Be Alive”)
I acted as a guide, introducing the artist and offering short commentary before we listened. I played the album from my laptop, perched on a wooden box, with everyone seated in a loose circle.
We took a 15-minute break midway through the album, giving people a chance to stretch their legs—or make a discreet exit if they weren’t feeling it. We started with 15 people and ended with 14, so I’d say it was a success (:
What I Loved
What I enjoyed most was curating an experience for others—something that was free, easy to access, yet intimate and unique. The blindfolds worked better than expected, pushing people to engage deeply with the music rather than getting distracted by their fellow listeners. And when they finally took the blindfolds off, they were greeted by the cozy, inviting environment Caroline had created.
What I’d Do Differently
Reflecting on the event, there are a few things I’d change. Before we started, I had everyone break into small groups of 3-4 to discuss what they already knew about SOPHIE. I think I missed an opportunity by not having those same groups debrief after the session—it would’ve been interesting to hear how people’s perceptions of SOPHIE’s music had changed, if at all, post-listening experience.
I also wish I had left the group with a clear, single takeaway about SOPHIE as an artist. In the moment, I was so focused on the experience as smooth as possible that I forgot to wrap things up with a memorable conclusion. That’s definitely something I’ll improve next time (and I’ll sneak it into the next newsletter!).
What’s Next
A friend of mine mentioned that this format could work well in other venues around Berlin. It’s true—there are a few listening parties here and there, but I think this immersive format, with blindfolds and guided commentary, could have a unique edge. I see a lot of potential in it, and I’m excited to explore where it might go next.
Sad I missed the Sophie session but would love to attend a future one!
Sign me up for next time! What an awesome concept 🖤