We got beer, loaded with a lot of music during The Itchyworms’ Beer O Pag-Ibig Grand Launch at the 123 Block on the evening of July 13.

Presented by Gabi Na Naman Productions, the event turned out to be a success as all the beer packs, composed of two spectacular flavors: Beer and Pag-Ibig sold out a few hours before The Itchyworms started the show.

Starting the party were the newcomers The Revisors, whose two members are Jazz Nicolas’ sons. The youngsters played a catchy mix of pop-rock reminiscent of the ‘90s. This was followed by Blaster and the Celestial Klowns who dished out a psychedelic blend of disco rock. Indie rock veteran Ciudad also entertained the crowd with favorites like “Get You Closer” and “My Emptiness”

When Ebe Dancel took the stage, he congratulated The Itchyworms for having their craft beer line. He shared that when Sugarfree was starting, they would often be in the same lineup in bar gigs. Whatever spare money they had, they used it to buy beer after gigs. Ebe played “Prom”, “Bawat Daan” and “Mariposa”.

The stars of the evening, The Itchyworms, showcased their extensively diverse musicality. Jugs Jugueta, Jazz Nicolas, Kelvin Yu, Mikey Amistoso, and Weckl Mercado were on top of their game as they played track after track, including newer material like “The Silence” and “Panic in My Mind”, a cover of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” and B-sides like “Pariwara” and “One Ball”.

The Itchyworms thanked the audience for supporting their beer venture and for coming to the show. “Daig pa namin San Miguel, nagsold out yung beer namin,” Jugs joked. They also said that they will be producing another batch soon.

Of course, the audience went wild when it was time for the all-time Itchyworms faves “Love Team”, “Buwan”, “Gusto Ko Lamang sa Buhay”, “Akin Ka na Lang” and the much celebrated “Beer”. The band was supposed to cap off the night after that, but they gave in to the crowd’s jeers for another song which turned out to be the bittersweet “Di Na Muli”.

by Sandra Mae Laureano