The rain was pouring last September 3, but that didn’t stop the wave of people coming in to The Moonleaf Tea Shop, eager to hear good music, buy cool stuff and have great milk tea.

It was less like a party and more like a huge hangout/jamming session with a bunch of friends. Nothing fancy. Just a garage-type set-up at front, milk tea inside, and cool shops out back. It was exactly what the guys at Punchdrunk Panda hand in mind.

Anteroom Sessions was meant to be more than just your typical line launch. With a cup of the house blend milk tea in hand, I felt the Zen, but only for about half a minute because as soon as I headed off to the back room, I found a mini bazaar waiting for me. What’s more, they had one magic word plastered on all items. Sale!

I would have stayed there forever, too. The night’s entertainment was provided by a line-up of top indie talents.

Lover Never Dies, Manuel Nicholas Alvero, and Love in Athens rocking on their guitars.

Slow Hello, aka. Ang Bandang Shirley’s Selena Salang, slowed this down with a bit of acoustic vibes.

Though all these actshad the crowd going like mad, two artists stood above the rest. Tarsius’s intense beats and Outerhope’s sweet melodies were clear favorites of the night.

Tarsius sending the crowd into a collective electric dream.

Honeybee sweet sounds from Outerhope proved that folk is just another word for vintage fun.

It was an entire social experience, and I embraced and lived the purpose of their event: chill and thrill. In the end, the rain didn’t even matter because even that can’t stop you from having a good time.—DEXYLEBOWSKI

photos c/o Jonver David x Leo Avendano