Bratpack x Sofar: Secret Gig in a Living Room Full of Bags
“A living room full of bags,” Reese described the venue as she tuned her guitar for the next song. Her partner, Vica, just laughed.
Reese and Vica prepare for their performance.
While tuning their guitars and preparing for their performance, the two even initiated some kind of small talk with their audience by sharing their experiences on Taft Avenue so far. They even joked about how nervous they were that time. They also said that they were really looking forward to the other bands to perform later on that night.
Audience sit down on the mats provided in the venue as if it were a real living room.
Indeed, it was a peculiar show for Sofar (Songs from a Room) Sounds Manila that night. Unlike the usual “random living room” for a venue, that time,they had their show at Bratpack Store at One Archers Place along Taft Avenue in Manila. That night, the store was transformed into a living room: people sat on woven mats set on the floor, ate pizza and drank soda while listening to live music.
By having smaller venues that usual, Sofar Sounds’ gigs are sure to be more intimate.
Yet the whole set-up was unusual, too, for some people, including me. It was unusual in the sense that, unlike other gigs done in bigger spaces, this one had a smaller, more intimate venue than usual. Also, the lineup of the bands was kept secret until the actual time of the performance.
The number one rule is given: “Respect the performers, no talking during performances.” Indeed, nothing more–just pure music.
Regardless of all of this strangeness, though, the show still went on as it should. And so, as soon as Reese and Vica started to play the guitar and sing, all other things seemed to have disappeared. All background noises were gone; only the sound of their strings and their song, which was like witches’ chants around fire, mattered. While this quietness could be attributed to the rules given earlier by Sofar (no talking during performances as a sign of respect to the performers), it was also apparent that it was clear to these people what they came there for–music.
The Sun Manager plays a cheerful song with colorful bags in their background
April Hernandez and her band called The Sun Manager came after Reese and Vica. According to April, the band is composed of people who are also parts of other bands. She began the set by performing solo and after two songs, which she described as “depressing”, the band finally started performing more joyful songs.
April talks about her band and tries to engage her audience, something people chilling inside living rooms usually do.
In-between songs, April also tried to give people more of an idea about their band by sharing some information. She even told us the story behind the name of the band and why the name was chosen in the first place. “Because there was no other Sun Manager online!” She said.
The Ransom Collecives’ songs are as joyful as the bags in screaming colors.
The Ransom Collective performs Waterproof, a song created to raise funds for typhoon victims.
The last band to perform that night was The Ransom Collective. One of the songs they sang was called “Waterproof.” According to them, it was written after typhoon Maring hit the Philippines. This song described how “waterproof” Filipinos are whenever there are storms.
It was another success for Sofar for they succeeded in bringing these groups closer to genuine lovers of music who were eager to discover something new to listen to. Even I became an instant fan of the three bands. Plus, it also seemed like after that event, there was already some kind of strong connection between the bands and the audience. Perhaps this was the true purpose of their secret gig’s intimacy.
Before the gig finallly ended, people from Sofar Sounds thanked Bratpack One Archers Place for accommodating them. It was all part of Bratpack’s effort to cater to the needs of people who are effortlessly hip through their products especially crafted to suit the taste of these individuals. Most of them, we know as lovers of music, arts, and culture, in general. For quite some time, Bratpack has not just made sure that they provide fashionable needs to their market, but has supported their passion, too. This time, it was an intimate musical gathering for music lovers.
Bratpack Bags
This makes every Bratpack store something close to a living room, not just a mere space full of bags and other merchandises. Each Bratpack Store provides a space where people can express themselves. In fact, to the passionate ones, it is home.
So, When in Manila and looking for brands that can help you embrace the effortlessly hippie and artsy in you, run to the nearest Bratpack Store and grab the bags that best suit you.
(Photos by John Derick Flores)
Bratpack
G/F One Archers Place, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila
www.bratpackstore.com
www.facebook.com/bratpackstore
