One Week Ago at Big Sky Mind

This is a long overdue review of the gig that was at Big Sky Mind last July 24. It was TRIBUTES, the 2nd thanksgiving night for the 1st issue of SPROUT Magazine. The night featured SHUFFLE UNION , COFFEEBREAK ISLAND, LADY-I , DREADKNOT USED, and JEEPNEY JOYRIDE. After rehearsals, in preparation for the 1st Manila Skafest the following night, we went straight to that quaint but famous venue of E.Rodriguez, and found that people had already gathered enough to fill the venue and the attached sidewalk that held familiar faces.

The Final stop of the "INVINCIBLE Tour"

The Final stop of the "INVINCIBLE Tour" is the "1st MANILA SKA FESTIVAL"
to be held at CUBAO X, and hosted by the Wooden Canvas Gallery.
July 25 - 3PM Onwards (Photo contest / exhibit)
7PM Onwards : Skafest concert
Performers include:
SHUFFLE UNION
COFFEE BREAK ISLAND
JEEPNEY JOYRIDE
and jam session with Noel of SKABECHE
Marcos Cronies, Steadymovinbeat, Rocket Punch
Pulikats, Pink Cow, Hopskatch, and more! (we'll keep you posted)
MORE DETAILS TO BE POSTED

**DOWNLOAD the mechanics for the photo contest and photo gallery here

The INVINCIBLE Live Album Tour's Penultimate Stop

A GREAT night! is all I can say about last Saturday. If the penultimate stop of Shuffle Union's "INVINCIBLE Live Album Tour" held at 1962 Tambayanan is a prelude of the event that will happen on July 25th then the "1st Manila SKA Festival" is one gathering to look out for.

The crowd, a mix of regulars, and old and new faces, had already gathered when we arrived at 1962 a little after 10, and you can feel the anticipation right on. From the original 5 bands on the bill, the line-up was expanded to 7. Youngbloods, The NUDOLLS, started the night, (sporting members who literally grew-up with the Ska City United gigs at the old Kolumn Bar..you guys remember Smee right?). Following them was 2-tone spirited STEADYMOVINBEAT, who did a solid set that was a great starter! Coming next was ROCKET PUNCH, dishing out dirty reggae Global City style! Kaloy of SMB donned the vocal chores on a few songs. Both bands did great and the floor started to shudder as the dancing commenced during their sets. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI followed, performing a few songs including the Arnold Morales penned "Good Morning."

Up next were the night's hosts, SHUFFLE UNION, who had been touring since May to promote their recent cd release "INVINCIBLE," with a full roster, SU's set consisted of their originals, with a pinch of old SKA favorites in honor of the attendees who have supported the SKA scene all these years.


From the Bisikleta gig that same night, The GO SIGNALS were next! Mel, Dennis, and Spike were in their element with a very soulful set (and the crowd seemed unfazed by the fact that its past 2am!). Also from the Bisikleta gig were The MARCOS CRONIES the Pampanga ska mobsters were the perfect finishers of a very great night. Time: past 3AM! The crowd still stayed on for more dancing, and not a few tireless souls stayed well past that. A big thank you is also extended to COFFEE BREAK ISLAND, who joined in on the celebration.

Big big cheers to everyone who came that night, to the bands who lent their support, and to the tireless efforts of the faces from all over the scene who were present. 고마워! Terima Kasih! ありがとうございました! , 感谢! SALAMAT po! See you on JULY 25 at the "1st MANILA SKA FESTIVAL", to be hosted by the WOODEN CANVAS GALLERY, at CUBAO X.


MORE PHOTOS TO BE POSTED TODAY (JULY 15)

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