by Kara Mae M. Noveda

Unless you’re traveling to see your favorite band because their tour didn’t stop in your hometown, chances are, seeking live music events in a city you haven’t been to can be more of a side quest. But for those going for a music-forward itinerary, catching local acts may very well be the highlight of the trip.

Touted as the guitar capital of the country, Cebuanos take particular pride in their love of music. Musical talent is never in short supply. Go to a big hotel lobby and listen to a live singer who sounds like a talent competition winner, accompanied by a guitarist, violinist, or other instrumentalist. Duck into any karaoke bar or open mic night, and the pool of locals with impressive vocals runs deep.

There are plenty of ways to dip into local music. If you want to bounce from one place to another for performances, look no further than midtown Cebu. This stretch close to General Maxilom Avenue (which locals still think of by its old name, Mango Avenue) has transformed into an interesting mix after hours. The roughly mile-long road is lined with big schools, banks, and mixed-use arcades a rush-hour situation to steer clear of. But after hours, this is where you’ll find a high concentration of pubs and bars where locals hang out. For those in the indie scene, this is the grid for a night of hanging out and listening to good music.

ATÚA MIDTOWN CEBU

To set the mood, perhaps there’s nothing more utterly romantic than digging through a crate of records and analog listening. You can do this in many big cities around the world, and Cebu now has a few record stores where music buffs can browse and listen.

Fashioned from an old hotel, Atúa Midtown combines arts, culture, and retail in good taste. Among the Cebu-grown creative brands that call Atúa (a word that aptly means “ours” in Cebuano) home is the quaint Filla Killa Shop. Here, stumble upon a collection of cassette tapes, CDs, and vinyl records by mostly local and regional artists (from Cebuano to Southeast Asian indie).

Since the shop opens in the early afternoons and closes at 10pm, this is a practical first stop before going to an actual gig. You can drop by when there’s a scheduled listening party.Who knows you might leave the shop with a niche band shirt on.

FIDDLER’S BAR AND GRILL CEBU

With imposing murals, moody lighting, and a proper band stage setup, live music and local talents are definitely the forethought of Fiddler’s Cebu, a restobar along F. Ramos Street that boasts nightly live entertainment. The varied menu is as impressive as the gig list. Besides the Filipino comfort food classics, they have a crowd-pleasing selection of thin-crust pizzas. With an impressive audio system, you can have your fill of local music, drinks, and bar chow.

DRAFT PUNK CRAFT CAFE

A night of standing, beer-holding, and possibly dancing at the pit requires fuel. You can’t go wrong with the exciting menu in Draft Punk Craft Café. Don’t skip their signature rendition of the sizzling minced pork dish, sisig, and the rest of their Southeast Asian offerings. Pair these with a decent selection of craft beers and cocktails.

It’s customary in this age to check socials for a weekly event guide. But even if you decide to show up and listen to whoever is playing at this carpark bar, Draft Punk can be counted on for a steady rotation of live music nightly.

CEBU MAKING SPACE

A short walk from the carpark where Draft Punk is situated is Cebu Making Space inside Mango Square Mall. Collectively owned by artists for their fellow artists, CMS is an all-around creative niche where design and arts workshops are held (including the pusô workshop in our handicrafts story in this issue).

At night, the CMS studio is a transformative blank canvas that shifts into a seamless performance and audience pit. If you’re lucky, it gets crowded, sweaty, and loud, all in good fun!