MUSIC lovers in York have been urged to support a new initiative to promote “secret” gigs in the city.

Sofar Sounds is a scheme that originated in the US, and involves a handful of invitations being sent out to members for tiny gigs in people’s homes or other unusual venues.

The first Sofar York gig took place earlier this month, and bands came from as far as Manchester and Leeds for the first event.

Performers who played in the bedroom of a house in the city included Glass Caves, Rachel Hillory and Soulmates Never Die.

Amanda Vincent, 21, the city’s team leader for the musical initiative, and a psychology student at the University of York, wants to make sure the scheme continues.

She said: “It’s all about intimate gigs.

“You don’t know who’s going to play or where it’s going to be.

“You apply beforehand and an email goes out every month saying where they are taking place.

“If you apply, they let you know two days beforehand and give you the address. You just turn up.

“About 30 people came to the first event in someone’s bedrom. It was a fairly standard house, off campus.

“Everyone said it was good and the bands really enjoyed it.

“We seek out the bands and for each evening we try to have a mix so it’s not just one type of music.

“It’s something for everyone and supposed to be a way for people to discover new types of music, not just go and listen to something we would listen to anyway.”

The scheme is already active in 50 cities around the world, from San Jose and San Francisco to Perth, Paris, Leeds and Newcastle, and Amanda said further gigs were planned for March and April.

But a new team leader would be needed to take over her role when she leaves university this summer.

She said: “We’re looking to find someone to take on my role who loves music but isn’t a musician.

“Anyone can get in touch; it’s even better for the project if it was someone who was permanently in York.”

To find out more, go to sofarsounds.com