Afternoon acoustics

Five acts, yes. If you weren’t too rum-coked or screw-driven to notice, a DJ spun, and two singers and two bands broke it down acoustic last Saturday afternoon — all for Young Star’s Afternoon Sessions atop Aracama’s terrace. Now they might be somewhat familiar to you, but why not reacquaint yourselves with their music?

Super Mikki was first on the decks that afternoon, as he dished out a grinding mix of R&B and hip-hop. You’ll usually spot him at Future in Cubao or at Il Ponticello in Makati for Work Sucks Wednesdays, or wherever there’s an occasion in need of a flexible DJ. We’ll have you know that Mikki is also the co-owner and designer of The Twelfth House, a clothing label based in Manila. To notice that his floral button-downs match his tropical beats is thereby a must. Follow the DJ on Twitter @SuperMikki for his gig schedule and log on to supermikki.com for his creative portfolio.

(Half of) She’s Only Sixteen came straight after, with Roberto Seña leading the set on vocals and guitar, flanked by King Puentespina on what looked like a quarter of a drum set (floor tom and cymbal). Smooth sailing still as the suited Seña made amends with hits like Dying to Meet You. Despite only being college sophomores (and one junior), this band has already signed onto Universal’s artist arm Orion Entertainment after being pegged as the next dance rock act to watch out for. “Thanks for letting us play,” said Seña, “We’re just happy we got a picture with Georgina (Wilson). ‘Yun na yung talent fee namin.” Grab their EP at any local record store nationwide, and follow them on Twitter @DyingToTweetYou for their gig schedule.

Asked what his music was, Eyedress had only two things to say: “Nice music.” The blue-hatted, black-suited singer gained local and international acclaim as singer-songwriter-guitarist of Bee Eyes and recently as an electronic-based solo artist and video editor, but that afternoon, Young Star asked him (Idris Vicuña) if he could strip down the electro and soothe an audience with a spontaneous “folk-oustic” set — to which he readily obliged. “More afternoon parties, please,” he even said afterwards. We’re ready to oblige to a round two as well. Follow this guy on Twitter @Eyedress.

It was during Eyedress’ last song where singer Miki Hahn collaborated for their song Eye Know (which you can download on SoundCloud.com/Eyedress). A simple recorded drum track from Eyedress’ BlackBerry sounded off and the teen diva belted her best with Eyedress on the guitar. As she stood up to leave, she was persuaded back to the stage by host Toff de Venecia for an encore — and even another one after that for a double encore. Even Raymond Gutierrez approved of the young Hahn: “I really like her. She should be on Party Pilipinas.” Follow Miki on Twitter @MikiHahn for more information on any future performances.

The whole thing eventually wound down to a rare, mellow set from The Strangeness’ alter-ego Don’t Bogart the Can...Man (Follow @The_Strangeness on Twitter instead for more info). They were The Beach Bros of that afternoon, calming us down to a ukulele-driven version of Kokomo and a few other laidback tunes. “I guess Bogart is more indie than indie rock,” explains vocalist Shinji Manlangit. “Like if The Strangeness makes you want to punch things and do more drugs, Bogart makes you love things and do less drugs para mellow. The difference between both bands is that we have another bassist. Also, mas kalat influences ng Bogart. Anything from The Beach Boys to ‘80s yacht rock.”

Stationary yacht, to be exact. We all did feel the yacht vibes despite not actually sailing that afternoon, but we hope all this gets a second round, if not on actual water this time.