Music, wine, and design came together for a delightful afternoon of jazz and good fun at Noname’s “Daydreams” concert
The recent afternoon concert at the rooftop dome of the First United Building in Escolta was a (day)dream come true for some of Manila’s jazz enthusiasts.
Featuring a soulful setlist curated and performed by Nicole Asensio and her band together with Noname co-founders Echo Bueno and Chili Perez, and the audience in attendance, “Daydreams” became an afternoon like no other.
Rei, a Nonamer (aka a regular of Noname’s events), called it a “jazz girlie’s dream come true, from setup to setlist.” The concert, held on Sept. 21, saw the First United Building’s dome transformed into a field of sunny yellow dandelion flowers, beautifully crafted by Moko Plants. From Noname’s signature candlelights, the space turned into a breezy little garden, fitting the afternoon concept.
In true Noname fashion, the concert was a harmonious blend of the vintage charm of jazz music, the old-world feel of Escolta, and contemporary tunes and treats.
Although Noname has already become known for their string quartet concerts, and have already organized various musical events touching on a variety of genres, from pop to jazz, “Daydreams” was their first attempt at an afternoon jazz show.
For Anya, a Nonamer since the duo’s first event, “Daydreams” was a “lovely” concert that transported audiences back to the heyday of Manila’s jazz scene. “Having the concert in Escolta brought us back there but with more contemporary songs. I didn’t get to drink the wine much, but the concert still had a playful vibe because of the performers and audience. The musicians connected with the audience by just having as much [of] a good time as we were,” she said.
The fun was truly evident in the audience’s feet tapping along to the beat, bodies swaying along to the music, and the constant flow of Some Love’s natural wine. Noname concerts are a true community experience, no matter the theme, as attendees’ favorites are seamlessly incorporated into the program. The joy and excitement are also palpable once audience members hear their requests played out in a new way, and with Asensio and the band’s deft musicality, each song becomes even more soulful.
Asensio even included a few of her own songs into the setlist—personal songs she’d written after walking through and being inspired by old Manila itself, making the concert all the more apt for these songs’ performance.
“We wanted to encapsulate how it feels to daydream, which shines through in this light and jazzy selection of songs, perfect for an afternoon escape. Each song flows seamlessly, from whimsical melodies like ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ to the soulful joy of ‘I Say a Little Prayer,’ bringing that nostalgic ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ vibe,” shares Bueno and Perez. “What’s unique is how we co-curated this with Nicole Asensio’s band and the Nonamers, making it a shared experience and their own show.”
The full-house show of “Daydreams” just proves Noname’s eye and ear for events that are not just fun but engaging, too. This October, Noname is set to host another themed party ahead of the spooky season. Called the “Noname Mundane Halloween Disco,” the early night party (starting at 4:30 p.m.!) is inspired by Japan’s Halloween niche of dressing in the most “jimi” (Japanese for mundane, plain, or ordinary) way. This time, Noname is showcasing the chill beats of Japanese city pop.