Category: Sound Trip

Last Wednesday, I got a chance to go to a CCP Master Class with Act of Congress. Before Act of Congress went to Manila for the CCP master classes and a series of public performances, they went to Thailand. They taught Bluegrass (a sub-genre of country music according to Wikipedia) to Bangkok students. Check out their videos from their Thailand tour here.

Diwa de Leon and his group

In the recently concluded CCP master class, local artists performed and one of them is Diwa de Leon. Diwa de Leon used a hegalong. Hegalong is an authentic T’boli (a tribe from Mindanao) guitar. It was not my first time to see one since I’ve acquired one for myself. But it was my first time to see a hegalong that you can plug to an amplifier. It was amazing to see them live since they got to perform Diwa de Leon’s song that was just composed on the same morning of the master class. The song was called “Act of Progress“.

Time by Act of Congress

After the local artists have performed, Act of Congress followed. In the above video, they performed “Time”. It was from their recent album “Worth Fighting For”. You can get it in iTunes, Amazon Music or from their website. Act of Congress is just one of the artists that is part of the “American Music Abroad” program. This program aims to promote international cultural exchange by introducing various American musical genres in more than 40 countries in 2012 and on 2013. This program is brought to you by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Association of American Voices.

Act of Congress is Adam Wright (guitar/mandolin/vocals), Chris Griffin (guitar), Tim Carroll (bass), and Bethany Borg (fiddle). They’re from Alabama, USA. Please do catch the scheduled public performances of Act of Congress in Manila.

Act of Congress Scheduled Public Performances in Manila
September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Marilao, Bulacan
September 15 at 6:00 p.m. at The Podium
September 16 at 5:00 p.m. at the Concert at the Park at Rizal Park

They will also have a jamming session at the 70s Bistro with Bayang Barrios and Kalayo at the 70s Bistro right after their gig in The Podium.

Act of Congress
YouTube Channel
Official Twitter Account
Official Facebook page

Last August 3, 2012, Ely Buendia had a concert at Hard Rock Cafe, Makati. It’s a benefit concert for the building of A. Mabini Youth Center. Hard Rock Cafe was packed with people and I’m happy to be there because I was not only able to see Ely Buendia perform one of my favorite songs but because of my small contribution to the A. Mabini Youth Center.

Ely Buendia performed songs from The Eraserheads, from his solo album “Wanted Bedspacer”, and some songs from “In Love and War” (Ely Buendia’s collaboration with the late Francis Magalona).

One of my favorite songs that were performed is “Tikman” (from the Bananatype EP). “Tikman” was also once used as a commercial jingle for Burger Machine.

Do check out my other photos of Ely Buendia’s Greatest Hits here.

After Ely Buendia’s Greatest Hits Concert, the Ely Buendia Live show was held last August 17 at the Activity Center of Glorietta in Makati. Tomorrow, Ely Buendia will have another show at the Activity Center of TriNoMa at 7pm (August 24). Will there be a next Ely Buendia show? Perhaps in Cebu or Davao?

Audience shows some love for Death Cab for Cutie

I’m actually way behind in posting this.

I have missed a lot of bands in my foreign acts to see bucket list but I would definitely not miss seeing Death Cab for Cutie live. I was not able get the best spot however, thanks to my trusty point-and-shoot super zoom camera! I was able to record some videos and took some photos during the concert.

Soul Meets Body

It was definitely one of the best concerts I’ve been to.

Dong Abay

It’s always a pleasure for me to go to gigs organized by Rocked Philippines because we’re not only there for the music, we’re also there to support a cause. It was held at Route 196 (along Katipunan Ave). The highlight for me that night was when Dong Abay performed.

According to Dong Abay, that was the last time that he’ll be performing before going to New Zealand (yes, he’s already there).

Mich of Death by Tampon

Also, I enjoyed Death by Tampon’s performance. I haven’t seen them perform for years! It’s a good thing they they had a reunion gig before Laurie (one of their band members) went back to Singapore.

Check out my other photos of the Sendong relief gig in Flickr.